<a href="/topics//Dick_Van_Dyke">Dick Van Dyke</a> and his stage, movie and TV career gets major props Sunday (at 8 on <a href="/topics//TBS">TBS</a> and <a href="/topics//TNT">TNT</a>) when he's honored with the <a href="/topics//Life_(show)">Life</a> Achievement Award at the "19th Annual <a href="/topics//Screen_Actors_Guild_Awards">Screen Actors Guild Awards</a>" ceremony. (He'll be presented the award by <a href="/topics//Alec_Baldwin">Alec Baldwin</a> and Carl <a href="/topics//Carl_Reiner">Reiner</a>, creator of "<a href="/topics//The_Dick_Van_Dyke_Show">The Dick Van Dyke Show</a>"). That beloved '60s sitcom, of course, featured Van Dyke's most indelible TV work. ("Diagnosis Murder" fans are free to disagree, but you'd be wrong.) So, in honor of tonight's festivities, here are five things you may not have known about Van Dyke's character, TV comedy writer Rob Petrie: 
 1. His middle name is Simpson. 
 2. Rob, wife Laura (<a href="/topics//Mary_Tyler_Moore">Mary Tyler Moore</a>) and son Ritchie (Larry Mathews), lived at 448 Bonnie Meadow Rd. in New Rochelle. 
 3. He was originally from Danville, Ill., which is where Van Dyke grew up. 
 4. He had served in the U.S. Army (he met Laura, a USO dancer, while in the service) 
 5. Before he was hired by Alan Brady (Reiner), Rob worked as a disc jockey and was known for breaking the "no-sleep" DJ record of staying awake for 100 hours on the air.

Dick Van Dyke and his stage, movie and TV career gets major props Sunday (at 8 on TBS and TNT) when he's honored with the Life Achievement Award at the "19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" ceremony. (He'll be presented the award by Alec Baldwin and Carl Reiner, creator of "The Dick Van Dyke Show"). That beloved '60s sitcom, of course, featured Van Dyke's most indelible TV work. ("Diagnosis Murder" fans are free to disagree, but you'd be wrong.) So, in honor of tonight's festivities, here are five things you may not have known about Van Dyke's character, TV comedy writer Rob Petrie: 1. His middle name is Simpson. 2. Rob, wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) and son Ritchie (Larry Mathews), lived at 448 Bonnie Meadow Rd. in New Rochelle. 3. He was originally from Danville, Ill., which is where Van Dyke grew up. 4. He had served in the U.S. Army (he met Laura, a USO dancer, while in the service) 5. Before he was hired by Alan Brady (Reiner), Rob worked as a disc jockey and was known for breaking the "no-sleep" DJ record of staying awake for 100 hours on the air.

Entertainment

ETTAKE27.WEB

Dick Van Dyke's Rob Petrie: 5 little-known facts

Newsday

dick van dyke cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

The stars of "Totally '90s House" will seek to modernize a home that seems stuck in that decade.

LI's Melissa Joan Hart, other '90s TV stars, will compete in new HGTV show

The 4-day Patchogue fest returns with more than 50 acts on three stages.

Great South Bay Music Festival: Everything you need to know

The disgraced former Congressman will test his survival skills on "'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test."

George Santos to compete on Fox's 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test'

Stern, who currently does three weekly shoes, has reportedly laid off a dozen staffers.

Report: Howard Stern to cut back SiriusXM work to 1 day a week

It feels, at its best, like the kind of Old Hollywood production that once drew millions to movie palaces.

'The Odyssey': Larger-than-life spectacle doesn't disappoint

The Grammy winner shares stories about her show at Sag Harbor, Clive Davis and more.

Melissa Manchester talks about 'Cagney,' Clive Davis, performing on LI, more

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

There's little new in this docuseries about the L.I. stock firm behind a major fraud,

Take two: 'Real Wolf of Wall Street' rehashes the movie

This new 'Prairie' home puts a fresher and truer spin on Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories.

Netflix's 'Little House' reboot has a big heart

Nominees "The Diplomat," "The Gilded Age" and "The Beast in Me" all have local ties.

'The Pitt,' 'Hacks' and LI-themed shows are all heavy Emmy contenders

Back in the '60s, the legendary DJ knew was what was happening on New York radio.

Rock, roll and remember: Murray the K, the 'Fifth Beatle'

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visited Garcia's Taco Bar in Brentwood to try their birria ramen.

Trendy Bites: Birria ramen

An arbitrator detailed ex-officer George Trimigliozzi's poor job performance before his high-profile criminal case. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie and Newsday investigative reporter Jim Baumbach has more.

Suffolk brothel cop repeatedly ignored emergency calls before indictment

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to a new restaurant opened by the same owners who created Westhampton Beach Brewery.

Out East: Brewery opens new restaurant

Former Holy Trinity lineman Lance Swift spoke with Newsday high school sports reporter Jared Valluzzi after the Titans suspended their football program.

Former Holy Trinity lineman reflects on football program suspension

The Manor of St. George is one of the most serene spots on the Island. But on one night in 1780, it was the scene of a bloody battle, NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: Battle of the Manor of St. George

NewsdayTV's Marie Elena Martinez got a sneak peek at the new Babylon Whiskey Down Diner location, which is currently under construction with plans to open in the fall.

Take a peek inside Whiskey Down Diner's new location

For a quick trip not far from home, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out the Rockaway Hotel.

A getaway close to home for mom

Suffolk County officials Monday warned of scammers, preying primarily on the elderly, who direct people to liquidate their life savings to buy gold bars. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Gold bar scam warning in Suffolk County

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

As boaters set out on the water this summer, they will be paying more at the pump. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Boaters feeling the pinch at the pump 

Sitewide Video Playlist

'He really wasn't being a police officer'

Following two days of hazy skies from the Canadian wildfire smoke, NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has a look at what the weekend weather will look like.

Long Island weather: Expect bluer skies this afternoon

NewsdayTV goes behind the scenes of the day Rex Heuermann was sentenced for the Gilgo killings.

'A million years isn't enough'

The hazy skies are hanging around Long Island Thursday as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to fill the air.

Long Island weather: When will smoke, heat go away?

'Honestly, I was hurt'

A heat advisory remains in effect on Long Island through late Thursday. NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Canadian wildfire smoke could impact Long Island

Homeowners say their taxes make it almost unaffordable to live on Long Island. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa sat down with Newsday towns reporter Sam Kmack to learn more about residents who are taking action.

'Homeowners are under real financial pressure'

Vincent Puleo, who's worked in public office for nearly two decades, terminated the spa's lease following Newsday's reporting. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie talks with Newsday reporters Sandra Peddie and Bahar Ostadan about the story.

'They dabble in other stuff behind the covers'

Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem'

'Very thankful that we saved that money for her'

There have been 23 closures due to shark sightings at Queens' Rockaway Beach and that has other South Shore beaches on alert. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'They're coming to visit more often'

DeVuono describes her scheme to an undercover investigator in January 2022.

See the undercover video of the DeVuono sting

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

Dick Van Dyke's Rob Petrie: 5 little-known facts

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.