Ruthie Ann Miles is sharing how her most recent work in the show “The Seat of Our Pants,” is deeply connected to the loss of two of her children back in 2018.

Miles Relates to Her Character’s Grief

Miles finished the Public Theater’s “The Seat of Our Pants,” a musical by playwright Ethan Lipton and two-time Tony nominee director Leigh Silverman, on Sunday, December 7. In the musical, she portrayed Mrs. Antrobus, a woman mourning her son.

Offstage, Miles has grieved the losses of two of her children for years.

In March 2018, Miles’ 5-year-old daughter Abigail Joy was struck and killed by a driver in New York.

Miles was seven months pregnant at the time of the accident with a baby girl she planned to name Sophia Rosemary and sustained injuries herself. Two months later, she suffered a miscarriage.

Speaking to Vulture in an interview published Wednesday, December 10, Miles shared that the themes of “The Seat of Our Pants” had been a topic in her therapy sessions. She had discussed with her therapist that she believes, “it’s a privilege to watch somebody grieve.”

“Whether it’s a real person who is grieving the thousands of things that we grieve — our parents, our children, the loss of a dream — or a character, it’s a privilege to watch and hold somebody in their grief. And it’s a particular honor to portray that onstage as somebody who also has personal … Do I want to say daily? … My grief is still very fresh,” Miles said.

“However, I am not grieving my children as [my character] Mrs. Antrobus. I said this to our director as well. I don’t want anyone to be nervous or afraid or scared or worried for Ruthie because I do separate the two,” she assured her fans during her interview with Vulture. “I have this very deep well of emotion and grief that I can pull from, because it’s a part of who I am and what I’ve lived. I know what my body does when it reaches this emotive state. But I am not saying ‘Abel’ and thinking ‘Abby.'”

Miles Welcomes Daughter 2 Years After the Tragedy

Miles and husband Jonathan Blumenstein welcomed their third child, a daughter named Hope Elizabeth, on April 3, 2020.

“Welcome the world, Baby Hope Elizabeth!” the new mom shared.

In March 2020, when she first revealed her pregnancy, Miles showed her appreciation to fans.

“Thank you especially to the many of you who supported us in the aftermath of the crash, continually lifted us up in prayer, doused us with love, encouraged us, let us be and grieve these two years, and now rejoice with us in this new life,” Miles wrote on Instagram.

“We know Abigail Joy and Sophia would have loved being big sisters and are loving watching their family grow,” she added, signing the caption, “Love, Jonathan and Ruthie Ann.”

Miles Leaves Fans With a Positive Message

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The “The King and I” actress shared that there was one thing she hoped audiences would take away from her performance in “The Seat of Our Pants.”

“It’s a privilege to grow older,” Miles said. “It’s a privilege to learn. It’s a privilege to have this kind of conversation. It’s a privilege to experience pain. It’s awful. But we get to feel, and not everybody does.” 

The post Tony Award-Winning Actress Vulnerably Opens Up on Tragic Loss 7 Years Later appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Unstoppable, iconic, and determined are three words that can aptly describe the spirit of June Squibb. The actress is back on Broadway and already making history.

The Oscar-nominated star, now 96, is the oldest performer ever to open a Broadway show, leading the new production of “Marjorie Prime.” The play, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, explores memory, aging, and artificial intelligence.

It features Squibb as a woman with dementia who spends her final days speaking with a hologram of her late husband.

A Full-Circle Moment as Squibb Revisits Her Broadway Roots

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Second Stage Theater shared production photos ahead of the December 8 opening night. The cast also includes Cynthia Nixon, Danny Burstein, and Christopher Lowell. Anne Kauffman directs the production.

For Squibb, the moment feels like a homecoming. She made her Broadway debut in 1959 as Electra in “Gypsy,” performing opposite Ethel Merman.

“I moved a lot differently then,” Squibb told People at the New York premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s film “Eleanor the Great.” Laughing, she added, “I was doing a lot of bumps and grinds every night… Not so many bumps and grinds now.”

She last appeared on Broadway in 2018 in “Waitress.”

A Late-Career Surge Fueled by Passion, Not Retirement

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Squibb’s extraordinary momentum has only accelerated in her 90s.

Her Oscar-nominated performance in “Nebraska” in 2013 opened the door to more than 50 screen credits in the decade that followed.

She brought humor and heart to roles in “Hubie Halloween,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Modern Family.”

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She took her first leading film role at 95 in “Thelma,” playing a grandmother determined to track down a scammer who stole her savings. The movie introduced her to a whole new generation of viewers.

When asked about retirement at the Toronto International Film Festival, she didn’t hesitate.

“What would I do? I think people would be crazy with me if I weren’t working,” she told E! News in September.

Her career continues to expand in 2024 with Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great,” released in September 2025.

Why Returning to the Stage Feels Like ‘Going Back Home’ For Squibb

Squibb said stepping into “Marjorie Prime” brings her back to her earliest artistic roots. “I had a long career in the theater before I ever started doing film,” she told E! News in September.

“I was in my 60s when I started film. So it’s like going back home in a way, you know. And it’s a great script I’m doing, and a short time period of time.”

The play’s themes resonated deeply with her. Like “Eleanor the Great,” it explores aging, memory, and the emotional weight of looking back.

Production photos obtained by People give a glimpse of the intimate, contemplative atmosphere behind Squibb’s historic performance.

Nixon plays Marjorie’s daughter, Tess. Burstein plays Tess’ husband, Jon. Nixon was last seen on Broadway in “The Little Foxes,” for which she earned a Tony.

Burstein brings decades of experience from shows including “Company,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” and “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.”

The actress entered film in her 60s but has shown no signs of slowing down. “Thelma” received widespread acclaim, and streaming audiences can now watch the action comedy on Hulu.

Tickets for “Marjorie Prime” are currently on sale, marking another milestone for an artist who continues to redefine what longevity looks like in Hollywood and on Broadway.

The post Oscar-Nominated Star Makes History as a Broadway Leading Lady at 96: ‘Unstoppable’ appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

To kickstart the festive season, the annual holiday tradition of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which dates back to the ‘30s, returns! The ceremony is packed with entertainment and will include brilliant performances from favorite celebrities, a country music legend as the host, and, of course, the lighting of the stunning 75-foot Norway Spruce tree. 

Where Is the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony?

The annual ceremony takes place in Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday, December 3. The tree will remain in its location until next year, and in January 2026, it will be donated to Habitat for Humanity to be turned into lumber to build homes for those in need, People reports. 

The tradition of the Christmas tree in the center dates back to 1931, and the lighting ceremony started in 1933. This year, the lighting ceremony will be broadcast from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. However, the ceremony will begin an hour earlier at 7 p.m. ET. 

But what can you expect? In addition to watching the tree transform from a gorgeous green spruce into a glittering masterpiece, thanks to 50,000 multicolored lights and a Swarovski star, audiences can also enjoy a variety of performances. 

Who Is Performing?

This year, beloved country musician Reba McEntire will host the ceremony. This is her first year as host, and she takes the reins from Kelly Clarkson, who hosted the ceremony in 2023 and 2024. “We’re so looking forward to seeing Reba bring her infectious energy to the telecast and create an unforgettable holiday moment,” NBCUniversal Entertainment’s executive vice president Jen Neal said in a statement, NBC News reports. 

To make it a memorable occasion, McEntire will be joined by Gwen Stefani, Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, the Radio City Rockettes, New Edition, Brad Paisley, and Carly Pearce, all of whom have performances planned on the night. 

It’s going to be a special festive celebration, but it will also be an exciting moment for McEntire, who has never experienced December in New York City before. “To see all the Christmas decorations and to get to be a part of the tree lighting ceremony, Rockefeller Center, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m honored that they asked me to do it,” she told People in an interview in October 2025. “I’m going to triple, quadruple layer.”

The post Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting 2025 Schedule & Location appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025, marking a century of iconic dance, tradition, and holiday nostalgia at Radio City Music Hall. From breathtaking choreography to stunning costumes and live Christmas classics, the long-running show remains one of the most beloved holiday experiences in the world. Here’s everything you need to know.

Radio City Rockettes Reveal the Intense Rehearsal & Performance Schedule

The Rockettes may make every performance look effortless, but the work behind the scenes is anything but. The world-famous troupe performs the show up to five times a day from November through January, according to their official site. Before opening night, the dancers train six days a week, six hours a day, for six weeks straight.

“As much as it is a dream, it still is a very rigorous process,” second-year Rockette Kayla Hsu told People. “A lot of people say we are athletes dripping in diamonds, which could not be more true. We’re putting ourselves through a physically exhausting show, but at the same time, the reward is just so incredible.”

Veteran Rockette Danielle Betscher, who has performed in 13 seasons of the holiday production, said performers learn nine different numbers during training. Some routines date back to the show’s earliest eras, while others blend new technology and choreography.

“Parade of the Wooden Soldiers has been in the show since its inception in 1933,” Betscher said. “But then we have numbers that include more current choreography.” Betscher also named the “Dance of the Frost Fairies” as a modern favorite.

“The rehearsal process is really getting us prepared to learn all of those numbers and then be able to perform them sometimes four times a day,” she added.

Inside the Rockettes Legacy, History & 2025 Ticket Prices

The 2025 season not only honors the show’s 100-year milestone but also celebrates the lasting community behind it. Betscher shared that the bond between dancers forms quickly because of the intense schedule and constant proximity.

“We’re spending holidays together. They attended my wedding. I’ve attended their baby showers,” she said. “These women have become lifelong friends.”

For Hsu, nothing compares to the moment the curtain rises.

“You’re performing for 6,000 people in New York City at Radio City Music Hall,” she said. “You can dream about it all you want, but once you’re on that stage, it truly is like no other.”

The Christmas Spectacular continues to draw audiences from across the world, thanks to its signature numbers including “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the “Living Nativity,” along with new production elements added every year.

Tickets for the 2025 centennial season start at approximately $64 to $83, depending on the date and seating. Premium and prime tickets can reach around $502 for peak performances. Guests can browse dates and purchase tickets through the Rockettes’ official site.

The Christmas Spectacular runs at Radio City Music Hall from November through early January. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for a holiday tradition, the celebration promises to be one of the biggest in show history.

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One season 34 “Dancing with the Stars” contestant has already settled on her next gig, and fans are excited for her. Whitney Leavitt was eliminated just shy of the DWTS finale, but her dreams of performing on stage aren’t over yet.

News on Leavitt’s next move just emerged, and she’s following in the footsteps of another former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant.

Whitney Leavitt Is Heading to ‘Chicago’ on Broadway

According to People on December 1, Leavitt has booked a gig on Broadway. Beginning on February 2, 2026, Leavitt will step into the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of “Chicago.”

As “Dancing with the Stars” fans may remember, Ariana Madix performed in the same role on the same show after her run during season 32. She finished “Dancing with the Stars” in third place with her partner, Pasha Pashkov.

Leavitt was eliminated in sixth place on season 34, an elimination that was a shocker to many fans. As the announcement from People emerged, Leavitt took to Instagram to share a teaser herself.

In the caption of her post, Leavitt wrote, “Grateful beyond words to ANNOUNCE that I will be joining @chicagomusical in the iconic role of Roxie Hart beginning Feb. 2nd 2026! See you in New York City!”

Her stint on Broadway will continue through March 15.

The DWTS Family Is Thrilled for Leavitt

Leavitt’s “Dancing with the Stars” colleagues went wild over the news.

Danielle Fishel, another season 34 contestant, gushed, “Yessss we cannot wait! I stan!!!”

Val Chmerkovskiy, who partnered with runner-up Alix Earle, commented, “Congrats Wit!”

Earle shared, “YESSSSSS I’m so excited for you I have chills.”

Alan Bersten, who danced with finalist Elaine Hendrix, wrote, “Congrats!!!! I’m so happy for you! You’re going to absolutely kill it!!”

Dylan Efron, another season 34 finalist, declared, “Trip to NYC in Feb then.”

Leavitt’s “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Mark Ballas, gushed over the news, as well. “You’re gonna KILL it… & ‘who says that murder’s not an art.'”

“Dancing with the Stars” fans may remember that Ballas has starred on Broadway himself, having played Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys.” He also played Charlie Price in “Kinky Boots.”

This is the second time one of Ballas’ partners has joined a Broadway show. Charli D’Amelio, who won season 31 with him, performed in “& Juliet” for several months.

Comments of support also poured in from Emma Slater, Ezra Sosa, former contestant Jenn Tran, former pro Lindsay Arnold, and many others.

The post DWTS Shock Exit Turns Into Dream Gig for Season 34 Contestant appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Tony Germano, a well-known voice artist and actor who worked with Netflix and Nickelodeon, has tragically passed away at the age of 55, a representative for the actor confirmed to PEOPLE.

He died on Wednesday, Nov. 26 following a fatal fall from his house.

“It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the passing of actor and voice artist Tony Germano on the morning of Wednesday, November 26. Tony suffered a fall at his residence and, unfortunately, did not survive his injuries,” Germano’s rep told the outlet in a statement.

“We kindly ask for respect and understanding during this painful time for his family, friends, and colleagues. Tony leaves behind a legacy of dedication, generosity and immense talent that touched everyone who had the privilege of working with him. His absence will be deeply felt,” he continued.

PEOPLE further added that the memorial service took place at Bosque da Paz Cemetery in Vargem Grande Paulista on Thursday, Nov. 27.

Trbutes Pour In For Tony Germano

Many paid tribute to Germano following news of his passing.

“I am so lucky to have found such a generous, talented and captivating soul as Tony Germano. It is one of the rarest gifts,” film director Matheus Marchett posted on Instagram (via The New York Post). “Sad for those who could not act alongside him, whether on stage, on screen, or in life. Those of us who were able to have even just a little bit of Tony in our lives are very, very lucky.”

“Tony was one of the kindest souls I’ve ever worked with. Always generous with his time and so full of life,” voice actress Maria Lopes said (via The Daily Mail). “It’s impossible to imagine the stage and studios without him.”

An impeccable professional, a dear friend, a talented actor. I had the privilege of working alongside him in several productions, such as Annie and Man of La Mancha, among others. Mission accomplished, my dear,” Brazilian actor Miguel Falabella posted on Instagram (transcribed by The Daily Mail).

Tony Germano’s Legacy

Germano was known for his work in Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn along with Disney’s Elena of Avalor and The Muppets, as well as the live-action Beauty and the Beast.

He recently appeared in Labyrinth of Lost Boys (2025) and An Unforgettable Year: Autumn (2023). 

Germano’s career was also in the theater, having played roles in The Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde, Miss Saigon, and Something Rotten!.

The post Beloved Netflix Star Tragically Passes Away at 55 – Tributes Pour In appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Lea Michele has revealed that she still gets stage fright in the form of butterflies in her stomach before she goes on stage.

The actress, singer, and songwriter, 39, has been performing to audiences for 30 years (her first role was in “Les Misérables” in 1995), but revealed she still experiences anxiety prior to stepping out in front of the watching general public.

In an exclusive chat with People, the star admitted getting the jitters and explained what she does to overcome them whenever she heads out on stage.

Lea Michele Still Gets Stage Fright ‘All the Time’

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Lea Michele is currently starring in the Broadway revival of “Chess,” and told People she feels the same way before every show.

Michele said “Oh, I still deal with stage fright all the time. It is something I’ve battled my entire life, no matter what project.”

Despite her nerves, Michele is currently receiving glowing reviews for playing Florence Vassy in the ever-popular show. In her conversation with People, she also explained that she’s managed to channel her nerves into something positive.

She said, “I try to reframe those feelings, because I can be really quick to categorize everything I’m feeling as anxiety, and that’s not always the case. So now I take a beat. If I really tune into how I’m feeling and give myself the space and the grace to actually examine those emotions, I can realize, ‘Well, maybe it’s not anxiety? Maybe it’s not all fear? Maybe there’s room for the fact it could actually be excitement in there for what I’m about to do?’ And I’ll transfer my energy into that as much as I can.”

However, when it is anxiety, Michele has a way of spinning that into a positive, too.

The actress explains, “If I’m nervous, it just means that what I’m doing matters. I’ll tell myself, ‘It’s worth it. It matters. There are high stakes to what you’re doing. It’s a challenge.’ And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, you know?”

Michele Also Calls Her Mother Before Every Performance

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Lea Michele also revealed that she always calls her mother before she goes out to perform.

She said, “The last thing I do before I go on stage is call my mother [Edith Sarfati]. I have two kids at home. When I’m there, that’s my main focus. Then, the moment I get into the house, it’s all about focusing on getting ready for the show, doing my warm-up, looking over my lines, getting my wig on, etc. But when that five minute mark hits, I need to get out of my head, so I pick up the phone and call my mother.”

After explaining that the two “just catch up and talk about our days,” and that “it’s very normal, very easy conversation,” Michele elaborated on specifically how the call helps her.

She explains, “My mom always calms me down. Our conversations, they ground me and remind me that I’m still that girl who started doing this when I was eight years old. Any nerves I may feel disappear, because all I can feel is love and gratitude.”

Despite being a seasoned professional, Michele also admits that she still worries about making mistakes during performances, saying, “I definitely think about flubbing a line more than I’d like to admit. But you survive. You move forward. When you do eight shows a week for a year, something is bound to happen at some point.”

Michele Recalled Previous Mishaps on Stage

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She then laughed recalling occasions things went a little wrong during her stint as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” saying, “Sometimes a prop would fly into the audience or part of my wig would fall off. You kind of have to look at the audience like, ‘Clearly this isn’t supposed to be happening right now.’ And the best part is, the audience loves it. So that helps you relax.”

Regarding her current role in “Chess,” Michele is loving it. She said, “This show is pushing me in new ways. This is the hardest character in a lot of ways that I’ve ever played. She stretches me, she scares me a little and yet, she reminds me why I love being on stage. I feel really lucky to play her, and to be a part of this revival with this amazing cast. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

“Chess” is currently playing at the Imperial Theatre at 249 West 45th Street, New York. It features music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with lyrics by Tim Rice. You can purchase tickets for the show here.

The post ‘Chess’ Star Lea Michele Reveals Her Stage Fright-Battling Ritual appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Cynthia Nixon has revealed how she plans on hosting a staggering 22 people for Thanksgiving this year, despite only having a single day off during her current Broadway run.

Nixon, 59, is undoubtedly most famous for her roles on television shows like “Sex and the City,” “And Just Like That…,” “The Big C,” and “The Gilded Age,” but also has thousands of stage performances to her name in a career spanning 45 years.

The actress has concocted a plan to prepare for her 22 guests on Thursday, November 27, amidst a hectic schedule this holiday season.

Cynthia Nixon Is Appearing in Jordan Harrison’s ‘Marjorie Prime’

Cynthia Nixon is currently playing Tess, the daughter of June Squibb’s titular Marjorie in Jordan Harrison’s Pulitzer Prize-finalist sci-fi play “Marjorie Prime.”

In the production, 96-year-old Squibb’s character is dealing with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in 2050, prompting Tess and her husband to hire a futuristic service called Prime. Prime is specifically designed to assist dementia patients by creating holographic projections of deceased family members. The holograms are then “fed” with the patients’ memories in order to “retell” them back in the case of them forget said memories. In the case of “Marjorie Prime,” Marjorie is able to interact with a hologram of her dearly departed husband, Walter.

Nixon spoke exclusively to People at “The Gilded Age” FYC event in New York City last week, and teased how she plans on feeding 22 guests, despite only having one day off from her role as Tess.

Nixon Plans on Doing ‘Some Stuff in Advance’

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Nixon told People, “I’m having 22 [people over] for Thanksgiving at my house. I only have a day off from my show, but I’m gonna try and do some stuff in advance, I think.”

She then casually repeated, “Twenty-two people.”

The actress didn’t reveal who the 22 individuals at her upcoming Thanksgiving gathering would be, but we could hazard a guess at four of them.

Nixon is married to Christine Marinoni, who will undoubtedly be there, while her children, Seph, 29, Charles, 22, and Max, 14, will likely join them. Whether or not any of her fellow “Marjorie Prime” stars will be in attendance, or if any former or current co-stars from her television and movie career will be present remains unknown.

One thing’s for sure, though: with only three days to go until Thanksgiving, we certainly hope Cynthia Nixon has started that advanced preparation she was talking about!

The post Cynthia Nixon Will Host 22 People for Thanksgiving with 1 Day Off — HOW?! appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

A fan who ambushed and grabbed Ariana Grande at the “Wicked: For Good” Singapore premiere has been banned from the country. The man, identified as 26-year-old Johnson Wen, was also sentenced to nine days in prison on public nuisance charges before being deported and barred from reentering, per the BBC.

We previously reported on the original incident, which took place on Thursday, November 13. As “Wicked” fans crowded the red carpet barrier to catch a glimpse of Grande and her costar Cynthia Erivo, the overzealous Wen broke through security and grabbed the “Dangerous Woman” singer.

After pushing his way onto the red carpet, Wen slung his arm around Grande’s shoulders and started jumping up and down. Grande struggled to get away before Erivo jumped to her aid. In the aftermath of the incident, which was captured on camera in the video below, the pop superstar appeared shaken but fortunately seemed physically unharmed. She was seen telling her costars, “I’m okay.”

This is Not Wen’s First Time Disrupting an Event

The “Wicked” premiere in Singapore is not the first time he has crashed a celebrity event, according to People. The outlet says he previously disrupted a Katy Perry concert in June 2025. In a stunt similar to what he did in Singapore, Wen jumped onstage while Perry was mid-song and put his arm around her. He was quickly removed by security.

In yet another unruly act, he fan, who calls himself “Pyjama Man,” rushed the stage during a Chainsmokers concert.

The Weeknd is another music star who has been targeted by the serial stage-crasher. This time, it happened in Melbourne, Australia.

Frankie Grande Shared an Update After Ariana Grande Was Diagnosed With COVID-19

E! News says Grande’s brother Frankie, 42, exclusively told them on November 21 that his sister is “doing well” after news broke of her COVID-19 diagnosis during the “Wicked: For Good” press tour. Variety says she announced she’d been infected last Thursday.

“As her brother, I send her all the love and healing vibes in the world. She’s working so much,” added Frankie, who dropped his debut album, “Hotel Rock Bottom,” on June 27 of this year. The report says he also assured fans, “We know she’s going to fine.”

In the interview, E! says Frankie also revealed he has already watched “Wicked: For Good” four times, and had lots of compliments for his sister’s performance. “It gets better every single time. I learn something new about my sister’s character every single time I watch her,” he said, before calling the diva’s acting “masterful.”

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Dick Van Dyke is reflecting on life, aging, and everything in between as he prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday next month. In a candid new essay for The Sunday Times, published Nov. 13, the Hollywood icon shared how his body has changed at 99 and how he’s learning to navigate this chapter of his life while staying grateful and grounded. He admitted that it has become “frustrating to feel diminished in the world, physically and socially,” describing the experience as both humbling and eye-opening.

Van Dyke explained that travel has become difficult, so most visits now happen at home. His eyesight has worsened, balance is harder to maintain, and he jokes that he has become “a stooper, a shuffler and a teeterer.” Even simple tasks like keeping his shirt clean during meals can be a challenge, and he often relies on gentle reminders from his wife, Arlene Silver. Still, he said the physical changes haven’t affected how he feels on the inside. “The superficial stuff, the physical decay, is about the only thing I share with the old guys I played way back when,” he wrote.

He Credits His Wife Arlene for Keeping Him Young and Moving

Through all the shifts that come with aging, Van Dyke said his marriage to Arlene, 54, has been one of the biggest reasons he still feels upbeat and connected, per Daily Mail. The two met in 2006 and married in 2012, creating one of Hollywood’s biggest age-gap relationships. Their bond remains strong, and Van Dyke said she “quickly became my soulmate” and keeps him “bright and hopeful.”

Arlene encourages him to stay active, whether that means dancing together in the mornings or making sure he gets up and moves throughout the day. Van Dyke said their romance is the main reason he hasn’t “withered away into a hermetic grouch,” adding that her support helps him push through the tougher parts of aging. He also joked that being married to someone much younger makes him feel “somewhere between two thirds and three quarters” of his actual age.

Van Dyke Still Hits the Gym and Stays Playful Despite Mobility Challenges

Even at 99, Van Dyke is committed to staying active. He still goes to the gym three times a week, doing full circuits with sit-up machines, leg exercises, and upper-body workouts. He said he can feel stiffness creep in whenever he skips too many sessions, which motivates him to keep going. Music also keeps him energized, and he often hums, sings, or even dances between machines. 

Aside from exercise, Van Dyke performs with his a cappella group, The Vantastix, and practices staying lighthearted and playful — habits he believes have helped him reach this milestone and enjoy it fully. He summed up his outlook simply: “Being alive has been doing life, not like a job but rather like a giant playground.”

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