Dick Van Dyke is ‘Nice as You Would Want Him to Be,’ Says Doc Director

Dick Van Dyke‘s centennial birthday has been 100 years in the making — but John Scheinfeld, director of PBS’ American Masters: Starring Dick Van Dyke, which premieres on December 12, 2025, at 9/8c, only had 10 months to put together the story of one of America’s most prolific entertainers. “Normally, I like to have 12 to 14 months to make a film,” Scheinfeld told ReMIND, “So it was very crazy. We were doing a lot of things simultaneously. We had a good time and we’re all a little tired and weary, but very proud.” Scheinfeld’s film covers Van Dyke’s entire career, and features interviews with celebrity fans including Ted Danson, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Jim Carrey, Conan O’Brien, as well as extremely rare archival footage, including Van Dyke’s early radio appearances and his 1955 audition for CBS News.