Julie Andrews Recalls Meeting Dick Van Dyke in ‘Daunting’ Mary Poppins Rehearsals: ‘We Did Bond Instantly’

Dick Van Dyke made a lasting first impression on Julie Andrews.

During the two-hour Thursday Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic CBS special that served as a tribute to the legendary 98-year-old star, Andrews, 88, recalled meeting Van Dyke during rehearsals for Mary Poppins.

“It was very hot in early September, if I remember correctly, and the Disney team built a big outdoor stage in the back of the studio and made a roof for shade out of a giant tarp,” Andrews explained. “When I arrived that first day, Dick was already working with the choreographers and dancers.”

Julie Andrews (left), Dick Van Dyke (right).

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Dick Van Dyke will celebrate his birthday with 98 years of magic Special on CBS

The 1964 musical was a critical film for Andrews’ career, earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as the title character. Van Dyke had two memorable roles in the film – Bert the chimney sweep and Mr. Dawes Sr.

While Andrews noted that at first glance he was “young, in good shape and really beautiful to look at,” she said meeting Van Dyke was “terrifying.”

“I’ve never done a film before and I gave birth to my lovely daughter Emma almost six weeks ago and quickly realized I’d better pull up my socks and get in shape,” she said. “I find it quite terrifying, I can tell you. Dick couldn’t have been kinder, more genuine and more helpful. I like to think we hit it off straight away.”

Dick Van Dyke in “Mary Poppins”.

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Dick Van Dyke looks back on his iconic career at 98: ‘My whole life was ahead of me’ (Exclusive)

Andrews said she remembers “laughing” while learning the dance on “Jolly Holiday” and noted that there were “countless times I collapsed from giggling.”

“It was so wonderful to watch him imitate animated penguins or try to ride a carousel pony. He became a magical chimney sweep. In fact, it was a very happy film for, I think, the whole company,” she said.

Dick Van Dyke.

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Of her colleague’s career, Andrews said Van Dyke has a “totally original style” that makes him “totally unique.” She added: “How lucky I was to have him with me for my first venture in Hollywood.”

While talking to PEOPLE about being surprised by the CBS special — he was told the live taping celebrating his distinguished career was a regular media interview — Van Dyke said he never expected “this kind of recognition?x”

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“My whole life passed in front of me. I didn’t know I had done so many things while I was 75 years in show business,” he said.

“You think, ‘I don’t deserve this,’ but it’s hard to say how I felt,” he says. “I came home and said, ‘You know what? It’s going to be a few days before this really sinks in that it happened.’ I never expected such recognition. My whole life was ahead of me. I didn’t know I had done so many things in my 75 years in show business.”

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Source: HIS Education