Dick Van Dyke at 100: Topeka man Recalls a Friendship Forged Over Tech and Genuine Kindness
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A Topeka resident’s recollections offer a rare glimpse into the character of a Hollywood icon as Dick Van Dyke approaches his centennial birthday.
As Dick Van Dyke prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday on December 13th, a Topeka, Kansas man is fondly remembering a unique friendship wiht the beloved actor. Greg ready, a former technical support specialist, shared stories of a bond built not on Hollywood glamour, but on a shared passion for 3D animation and the groundbreaking technology of a local company, NewTek.
An Unlikely Connection
Ready’s connection with Van Dyke began in the early 1990s, when the actor started calling NewTek seeking technical assistance with their innovative video products.NewTek, founded in 1985 by Topekan Tim Jenison, revolutionized video production with the 1990 release of the Video toaster – a computer-based system that democratized the industry, offering professional-level capabilities at a fraction of the cost.Ready, who began providing technical support at NewTek in the late 1980s, found himself frequently assisting Van dyke directly.
“every time he’d call, for one reason or another, he’d just ask for me,” Ready recalled.He described Van Dyke’s self-deprecating humor, noting the actor would playfully admit to being a “C+ student” and request simple explanations. Ready recounted an instance where Van Dyke was struggling with a technical issue during a live broadcast and a crew member attempted to intervene. “Dick waved them off,” Ready said, “He was genuinely grateful for this person.” Scott Baio, Van Dyke’s co-star, reportedly remarked, “He’s such a gem, isn’t he?”
Van Dyke’s captivation with animation stemmed from his experience filming the iconic penguin dance scene in the 1964 film “Mary Poppins.” He told Ready he was “amazed” by the animators’ work, acknowledging that he had the “easy” part – dancing like a penguin – while thay were the true “magicians.”
During Ready’s visit to Amblin Entertainment at Paramount studios, Van Dyke toured a “Render Farm” consisting of 40 Amiga 4000 “toaster” systems networked to accelerate animation rendering for the show “seaquest DSV.” He jokingly remarked that he brought ready along in case the technical discussions became too complex and revealed his “more money than brains” status.
Lasting Impressions
Ready received a phone call from Van Dyke congratulating him on the birth of his son, Garrett, in 1995, accompanied by a playful offer of a week’s reprieve from their frequent calls. Van Dyke also sent Ready an autographed photo with witty references to the NewTek Video Toaster.
Although they haven’t spoken in approximately 20 years,Ready’s memories of Van Dyke remain vivid. He described the actor as consistently cheerful and full of life, someone who genuinely made others feel valued. “When you’re with him, it’s like you’re with one of the biggest stars ever, but you just don’t feel like that,” Ready said. “He makes you feel like you’re the crucial one in the conversation. It was never about him.”
Ready reflects that their connection thrived as their conversations centered on “computer geeky stuff” – animation and technology – rather than typical Hollywood topics. He recalls a humorous traffic incident where Van dyke struggled with a manual transmission, eliciting honks and gestures from other drivers, but ultimately diffusing the situation with his characteristic charm.
As Dick Van Dyke enters his second century, Ready’s story serves as a heartwarming reminder that true star power lies not in fame or fortune, but in genuine kindness and a humble spirit.
