I wanted to be Stan Laurel, then I wanted to be Fred Astaire and then Captain Kangaroo. I actually started out as a radio announcer when I was 17 and never left the business so that's literally 70 years.
Dick Van DykeRead
I was lucky to get the kinds of parts I wanted. I always said I didn't want to do anything my kids can't see.
Interpretation
Dick Van Dyke emphasizes the importance of choosing roles that are appropriate for children while expressing gratitude for the opportunities he had.
In this quote, Dick Van Dyke reflects on his career choices, highlighting his desire to select roles that are suitable for family viewing. His focus on creating content that his children could enjoy underscores a commitment to values that prioritize wholesome entertainment and responsibility as a parent.
In practice
During a speech about family values at a charity event.
I wanted to be Stan Laurel, then I wanted to be Fred Astaire and then Captain Kangaroo. I actually started out as a radio announcer when I was 17 and never left the business so that's literally 70 years.
I didn't even start dancing until I was in my thirties, and it was like flying.
I get little kids who recognize me from 'Mary Poppins,' and it just delights me because it's our third generation.
Just knowing you don't have the answers is a recipe for humility, openness, acceptance, forgiveness, and an eagerness to learn - and those are all good things.
I never had a lot of drive, but because I had family responsibilities, I had a lot of tenacity - the tenacity of a drowning man.
Somebody asked what I wanted on my gravestone. I'm just going to put: 'Glad I Could Help.'
I've been so fortunate in my life that my family has never been jealous of my success. They have shown true love and commitment to me by being supportive. They shared in it.
Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth.
The focus of my life begins at home with family, loved ones and friends. I want to use my resources to create a secure environment that fosters love, learning, laughter and mutual success. I will protect and value integrity. I will admit and quickly correct my mistakes. I will be a self-starter. I will be a caring person. I will be a good listener with an open mind. I will continue to grow and learn. I will facilitate and celebrate the success of others.
There are moments we return to, now and always. Family is like water - it has a memory of what it once filled, always trying to get back to the original stream.
All we got is the family unbroke.
You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
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