Dick Van Dyke has recently reached a new milestone that has inadvertently caused him to be excluded from enjoying something most people take for granted, prompting fans to call for a change in the rules.
The iconic actor and comedian, Dick Van Dyke, has been a staple in Hollywood since he made his television debut in 1961 with the highly successful Dick Van Dyke Show.
Over the years, he has worked alongside legends like Julie Andrews and maintained a reputation as a beloved, drama-free celebrity admired by his colleagues.
Now, he has reached an impressive point in his life: turning 100 years old.
This remarkable age adds to his list of achievements, which includes six Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award.
Incredibly, he is older than the invention of sliced bread, first introduced in the 1920s, leaving one to wonder how he might have assembled a sandwich before it became common.
If he were in the UK, Van Dyke would receive a royal congratulation from the King, as is customary for centenarians there. However, he faces an unexpected form of discrimination from an unlikely source: LEGO.
Fond memories of playing with LEGO blocks may come to mind, and while it’s known they are not suitable for children under four, many are unaware that the maximum age for these toys is set at 99.
This means the centenarian no longer fits within the toy’s age range, causing outrage among fans.
LEGO sets feature specific age ranges to ensure safe play. For instance, toys for kids aged 2-3 may avoid small pieces that pose a choking hazard. However, the 4-99 age range for many sets has left fans puzzled.
Supporters have rallied online against what they perceive as ageism, with one saying, “For real. Might as well just pack it all up.”
Another urged others to join their cause: “Please sign my petition to change it from ‘4-99’ to ‘4-99 (except Dick Van Dyke). Thank you.”
One fan suggested, “At 100 years old, he deserves a VIP LEGO pass.”
One user remarked, “I can’t imagine how hard Dick is taking this news right now.”
Another commented, “He’s survived a century of show business, but he finally met the one authority he couldn’t charm: the LEGO age demographic,” while someone else wrote: “If you should live to be a hundred, no toy recommended age on the packaging should stop you.”
There have been calls for LEGO to reconsider their age restrictions so that Dick Van Dyke can enjoy their products without limitation.
Whether this will prompt a change remains to be seen.
We reached out to LEGO for their response. Stay tuned for updates.