Dick Van Dyke has revealed he very nearly played James Bond.
The 99-year-old actor has been a mainstay on screens over the past seven decades, first rising to fame working in radio and on stage.
He then went on to star in shows including The Dick Van Dyke Show and films like Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Night at the Museum.
However, the legendary performer has now explained he could have played the iconic 007 role – but his lacklustre British accent butchered the opportunity.
During an appearance on the Today show this week, Dick explained how he’d been approached in the 1970s to take over from Sir Sean Connery – who starred in seven Bond films from 1962 until 1983.
Dick – who is from West Plains, Missouri – shared: ‘I almost did [become James Bond].
‘[Producer] Albert Broccoli came to me and said, “Would you like to be Bond?” And I said, “Have you heard my British accent?” Click!’
Although Dick said he believes playing the British spy would ‘have been a great experience’, he admitted he wasn’t a good fit, mainly due to the fact he’d received backlash for his cockney accent when playing jack-of-all-trades Bert in 1964’s Mary Poppins.
He explained that fans likely wouldn’t have ‘accepted it from me’ to play Bond.
Despite missing out on that role, Dick’s career continued to flourish, with the actor still working in the lead-up to his 100th birthday next month.
Speaking about his career, he added: ‘It’s my hobby. It’s my life. I love it…I’m looking for work right now.’
Throughout his career, Dick has won six Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award.
He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993, and then the Television Hall of Fame in 1995.
His most recent film credits were in 2018 – where he appeared in Mary Poppins Returns, The Great Buster: A Celebration and Buttons: A Christmas Tale.
Meanwhile, in 2023, he appeared on TV voicing himself in an episode of The Simpsons and in four episodes of the soap Days of Our Lives.
After being introduced as Bond in 1962’s Dr. No, Connery went on to appear in a further six films, ending with Never Say Never Again in 1983.
However he was briefly replaced by George Lazenby, who played character in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969, but declined to return for subsequent films and instead pursued other roles.
After both Connery and Lazenby were phased out, Roger Moore took over the role, eventually starring in seven films.
Earlier this year, Amazon took creative control of the Bond franchise – paying $20 million (£16.4 million).
While Dune’s Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next film and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight will write the screenplay, the next star of the franchise is yet to be revealed.
After Daniel Craig’s last appearance as Bond in 2021’s No Time to Die, it’s not yet been confirmed who will play iconic role next – however some of the favourites include Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Harris Dickinson.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.