Dick Van Dyke, the legendary entertainer, is best known for his charismatic performances, dazzling dance moves, and wholesome, good-natured characters. However, a fascinating anecdote from the making of Mary Poppins reveals a surprising ambition: Van Dyke desperately wanted to play a villainous old man, so much so that he paid Walt Disney a significant sum for the privilege of appearing in heavy makeup and dying on screen.
Bert and Beyond: A Hidden Desire
In the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins, Van Dyke famously played two distinct roles. The first, and most iconic, was the cheerful Cockney chimney sweep and street artist, Bert. However, Van Dyke had his sights set on another character entirely: the decrepit, miserly bank owner, Mr. Dawes Sr., the stern head of the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank. Mr. Dawes Sr. represents the rigid, joyless world that Mary Poppins comes to transform, and his on-screen appearance culminates in a memorable scene where he literally laughs himself to death.
The $4,000 “Bribe” to Walt Disney
When Van Dyke approached Walt Disney with his request to play Mr. Dawes Sr., Disney initially refused. Disney was concerned that audiences would find it confusing or distracting to see their beloved Bert in such a dramatically different, almost unrecognizable, role.
Van Dyke, however, was undeterred. He was so determined to tackle the character and showcase his range beyond his typical song-and-dance persona that he made an extraordinary offer. He recounted that he told Walt Disney he would do it for nothing, but Disney insisted he would only get the part if he paid the studio $4,000.
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The Cost: Van Dyke confirmed he paid the $4,000, which he later said was a donation to Disney’s three-year-old art school, the California Institute of the Arts.
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The Context: To put this into perspective, $4,000 in 1964 would be equivalent to over $32,000 today (as of 2018 data, and even higher now), a substantial sum for a cameo appearance.
Disney, likely amused and impressed by Van Dyke’s sheer dedication and passion, accepted the offer.
Bringing Mr. Dawes Sr. to Life (and Death)
Under heavy prosthetics and intricate makeup, Van Dyke transformed into the ancient Mr. Dawes Sr. To maintain the illusion and surprise for audiences, he received screen credit under the anagrammatic pseudonym “Navckid Keyd” (Dick Van Dyke).
The transformation was so complete that many viewers did not realize it was Van Dyke until the credits rolled, or until much later viewings. His portrayal added a layer of subtle genius to the film—the stark contrast between the joyful Bert and the grim Dawes reinforced the film’s central message about the importance of joy and laughter. Van Dyke himself has stated, “It was worth every dollar. I would have, in fact, paid even more.”
This remarkable anecdote highlights not only Dick Van Dyke’s incredible talent and commitment to his craft but also Walt Disney’s willingness to indulge the creative passions of his performers.