The longtime actor said the role came about when he approached Drake Hogestyn, who plays John Black on the soap opera, at the gym.

‘Drake and I went to the same gym together,” the 97-year-old said. “I used to kid him, ‘Say, don’t you ever have any parts for old people? Come on, give me a part!’ And he took me seriously. He got me a part.”

In order to prepare for his new role, Van Dyke watched several episodes of the 58-season series to get a feel for the show.

He also received some helpful advice from industry friends who have also guest-starred on a soap opera.

“Make sure you know all your lines because they don’t do retakes,” Carol Burnett told Van Dyke in a recorded message.

Burnett had a recurring role on All My Children in the ’80s.

Van Dyke, who will appear in a scene alongside Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn, will make his soap opera debut this fall.

Dick Van Dyke is my absolute favorite! I can’t wait to see how he handles acting on a soap opera.

Please share if you’re a big fan of Dick Van Dyke!