Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home

Dick Van Dyke had quite an eventful birthday week. The well-known entertainer turned 99 years old last Friday, December 13th, days after he and his wife Arlene had to evacuate with all but one of their animals due to a wildfire near their home in Southern California.

In an interview with NBC News, the actor recounted the night they had to flee their neighborhood in Malibu due to the Franklin Fire that erupted on December 9th. “I forgot how old I am, and I realized I was crawling to get out,” he said.

Dick Van Dyke’s Neighbors Got Him Out

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Using a firehose he can hook up to his pool, the Mary Poppins star tried to spray the house, but it was too much. “I thought…I’m not going to make it out of here. I was trying to crawl to the car. I had exhausted myself. I couldn’t get up,” he recalled. That’s when three neighbors came, carried him out, and went back to put out a little fire in the guest house.

Dick Van Dyke credits his neighbors for saving his life and his home. “God bless them, and thank you for saving my life,” he said.

The actor and his wife were thankfully able to get out with all of their animals but one cat named Bobo. The ginger cat was very special to their family, and Dick Van Dyke posted about him on Facebook on December 10th. “Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo escaped as we were leaving. We’re praying he’ll be ok and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires,” the post read.

Bobo Was Waiting For Them At Home

Their prayers were answered because Bobo was waiting for them once they returned home. It was quite a joyous reunion to celebrate his 99th birthday with his loved ones back home.

Turning 99 is quite an accomplishment, but the excitement doesn’t end there. A Coldplay video was also released on his birthday. In the video, Coldplay’s Chris Martin plays the piano and sings the song “All My Love” while Dick Van Dyke dances barefoot on the patio. The video also includes clips from some of his work in movies and television and photos of memorabilia in his home.

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Let’s wish this icon a very happy birthday with blessings and many more years to come.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 20:11

WATCH: Dick Van Dyke Shares About Escaping From Fire

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: NBC News