The name isBond– Dick Van Bond?
Emmy-winning actorDick Van Dykegot nostalgic on his illustrious career during an interview on the "Today" show aired Tuesday, Nov. 18.
"I'm speaking from an advantageous position. I got to do for a living what I would have done for nothing," Van Dyke, 99, told hostAl Roker. "If I had been sitting at a desk somewhere in a cubicle, I might not be so happy."
But Van Dyke, known for his career-defining roles in the musicals"Mary Poppins"and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and his eponymous "Dick Van Dyke Show," also reminisced on what could have been.
The actor revealed he was approached for the role of suave action-heroJames BondfollowingSean Connery'sdeparture from the franchise. Connery, who died in 2020, originated theIan Fleming-penned character on screen in 1962's "Dr. No."
"They said, 'Would you like to be Bond?' And I said, 'Have you heard my British accent?'" Van Dyke recalled, adding that he was skeptical that viewers would have "accepted" the change in genre from him.
After five films, Connery was succeeded byGeorge Lazenbyin 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." Looking back, Van Dyke said playing Bond would have been "a great experience."
Dick Van Dyke also turned down Cary Grant movie
007 wasn't the only role Van Dyke has Hollywood regrets about.
During his "Today" show interview, the actor shared that he also turned down doing a movie with Oscar-nominated actor Cary Grant.
Van Dyke said Grant, whom he reportedly met during a Broadway stint on the show"Bye Bye Birdie,"proposed the idea while hanging out in Van Dyke's dressing room one day. The actor didn't detail his reasoning for passing on Grant's offer.
"I regret that every day of my life," Van Dyke said. "I turned Cary Grant down. I don't believe it."
Dick Van Dyke opens up:Actor says he's frustrated to 'feel diminished' ahead of 100th birthday
Dick Van Dyke reveals his surprising dream role
Even as Van Dykenears his centenarian years, he still has a bucket list for his creative life.
"I always wanted to play Scrooge," said Van Dyke on the "Today" show, referring to holiday icon Ebenezer Scrooge from theCharles Dickensnovel"A Christmas Carol."
'It'd be funny if I didn't make it':Dick Van Dyke jokes about 100th birthday
Scrooge, known for his cold demeanor and hatred of Christmas, has been portrayed on TV and film by actors such as Seymour Hicks,Jim Carrey,Christopher Plummer,Kelsey GrammerandWill Ferrell.
"I could do it," Van Dyke said, laughing. "It's just November. I've still got time."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Dick Van Dyke reveals he turned down James Bond role, Cary Grant movie