Q 01/05

Dick Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925, in which state?

A) Illinois

B) Indiana

C) Ohio

D) Missouri

Answer · why

D) Missouri

Missouri: though born in West Plains, he grew up in Danville, Illinois, where he acted in high school plays.

Q 02/05

Van Dyke left high school in his senior year to train as a pilot in which service during World War II?

A) US Navy Reserve

B) US Marine Corps

C) US Coast Guard

D) US Army Air Forces

Answer · why

D) US Army Air Forces

US Army Air Forces: he left Danville High in 1944 to train as a pilot, but ended up in Special Services building sets and working as a radio announcer...

Q 03/05

What was the nightclub comedy duo Van Dyke formed in 1947, miming and lip-synching to 78 rpm records?

A) The Merry Mutes

B) The Silent Partners

C) Eric and Dick

D) The Pantomimers

Answer · why

A) The Merry Mutes

The Merry Mutes: pantomime performer Phil Erickson talked him into the act, billed as 'Eric and Van', and they later landed a local TV show.

Q 04/05

Van Dyke won a Tony Award for playing Albert Peterson in the original 1960 production of which musical?

A) Gypsy

B) How to Succeed in Business

C) Bye Bye Birdie

D) Guys and Dolls

Answer · why

C) Bye Bye Birdie

Bye Bye Birdie: he was still starring in it on Broadway when he was tapped to lead his own TV sitcom.

Q 05/05

On The Dick Van Dyke Show, Rose Marie played which wisecracking comedy writer?

A) Millie Helper

B) Sally Rogers

C) Pickles Sorrell

D) Laura Petrie

Answer · why

B) Sally Rogers

Sally Rogers: Rose Marie had been performing since age three, when a talent contest launched her as the child singing star Baby Rose Marie.