> In the 1964 film Mary Poppins, which actor played the role of Bert, the chimneysweep?And the answer: Dick Van Dyke. Entertainer Dick Van Dyke has enjoyed an award-winning career that has spannedseven decades. In the 1960s, he became known for his roles in the popularmusical films Bye Bye Birdie, Mary Poppins, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, andwent on to win a Tony, a Grammy, and several Primetime Emmy Awards.Van Dyke’s prolific entertainment career actually began off-screen, as a radioDJ in Danville, Illinois. Himself and pantomime performer Phil Erikson devised acomedy duo called “Eric and the Van – the Merry Mutes” that toured around thecountry for several years. With a taste for the world of performance, Van Dykewent on to audition and land a part in Broadway show The Girls Against the Boys,and the lead in Bye Bye Birdie. From there, a world of television (including hisnamesake show, The Dick Van Dyke Show), film, and other accolades awaited.Before entertainment, Van Dyke made several unsuccessful attempts to join theUnited States Air Force. Reaching 6 feet tall before the age of 12, the youngperformer was turned away for being too skinny, and told to "gulp downmilkshakes." By the time he was allowed to enlist in 1942, Van Dyke excelled,landing a position in the special services unit, where he performed in shows andhosted a radio show.Today, Van Dyke’s career is immortalized in 20th century American popularculture. In his autobiography, he wrote, "I suppose that I never completely gaveup my childhood idea of being a minister. Only the medium and the messagechanged. I have still endeavored to touch people's souls, to raise their spiritsand put smiles on their faces."Read more about this iconic star here[https://www.biography.com/actor/dick-van-dyke].