When you think of Hollywood dynasties, the Van Dyke family immediately comes to mind. At the heart of this entertainment dynasty is Mary Carey Van Dyke, a woman who’s managed to stay out of the spotlight for over five decades while raising four children who all followed their family into show business. She’s the wife of actor Barry Van Dyke and daughter-in-law to the legendary Dick Van Dyke, yet most people know surprisingly little about her.
There are no social media accounts, no red carpet interviews, and certainly no tell-all memoirs.
Biography
Mary Carey Van Dyke was born sometime around 1950 or 1951 in the United States, though her exact birth date has never been publicly confirmed. That makes her approximately 74 to 75 years old as of 2026. Her maiden name was Carey, a fact confirmed when she named her eldest son Carey Wayne Van Dyke after her own family.
She’s an American citizen by birth and is described as White or Caucasian American. Some sources mention she has blonde hair and dark eyes, though these physical descriptions can’t be verified through reliable channels. Claims about her height or educational background, including attendance at Pierce Junior College, lack solid documentation and may be confused with details about her husband Barry.
Personal Life
Mary’s love story with Barry Van Dyke began in 1967 at a neighborhood movie theater. Barry was working as a ticket-taker when he met Mary, and both were just 16 years old at the time. It was a chance encounter that would lead to one of Hollywood’s more enduring marriages.
The young couple dated for seven years before tying the knot in 1974. True to Mary’s private nature, the ceremony was a low-key affair. As of 2025, they’ve been married for over 50 years, which is quite an accomplishment in any context but especially noteworthy in the entertainment industry.
Their marriage has produced four children, all of whom have worked in entertainment. Their first child, Carey Van Dyke, was born on February 25, 1976. He’s a screenwriter, actor, and producer who co-wrote the hit psychological thriller “Don’t Worry Darling” (2022) with his brother Shane. The film, directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, sparked an 18-studio bidding war. Carey has also written for films like “Chernobyl Diaries” (2012) and “The Silence” (2019). He’s married to Anne Coolbaugh and has four children: daughters Ava and Gracie, plus adopted children Alex and Mia.
Their second child, Shane Van Dyke (not “Shayne” as some articles incorrectly state), was born on August 28, 1979. He’s arguably the most prolific entertainer among the siblings. Shane wrote, directed, and starred in “Titanic II” (2010) and co-wrote the original “Don’t Worry Darling” script with Carey. He appeared in 14 episodes of the family show “Diagnosis: Murder” and studied theatre at Moorpark College. Shane married Julie Schreiner and has a son named Kayden.
The third child, Wes Van Dyke (full name Wesley Richard Van Dyke), was born on October 22, 1984. Wes took a different path from his siblings, transitioning from acting to professional painting. He now specializes in nature and landscape art, using an easel his grandfather Dick Van Dyke gifted him. His work has been featured by ABC7 Los Angeles, and he shares his paintings on Instagram. Wes married his longtime girlfriend Aislin and has two children, Kyla Mae and Conor.
The youngest child, Taryn Van Dyke (not “Tyra”), was born on June 1, 1986. She appeared in three episodes of “Diagnosis: Murder” as a child and had a role in “Murder 101: College Can Be Murder” (2007), but she’s since stepped away from public life entirely. Unlike her siblings, Taryn maintains strict privacy with no public information about her current life, career, or family.
All four Van Dyke children appeared alongside their father and grandfather in “Diagnosis: Murder,” the CBS crime drama that ran from 1993 to 2001. It was a true family affair that strengthened the Van Dyke entertainment legacy.
Mary and Barry are now grandparents to at least six grandchildren: Ava, Gracie, and Jane through Carey; Kayden through Shane; and Kyla Mae and Conor through Wes. These grandchildren represent Dick Van Dyke’s great-grandchildren, extending the family into its fourth generation in entertainment.
It’s worth noting that Barry Van Dyke is alive and well as of January 2025, despite false death rumors that have circulated online since 2017. Barry’s last credited film appearances were in 2019, and he reportedly remains active on social media.
Career
Mary devoted herself to being a full-time homemaker and mother. Her son Carey painted a clear picture of her role in a 2015 Mother’s Day tribute, saying: “For nearly forty years, she has taken care of this entire group. Calling her Supermom is just skimming the surface. I’d saint her if I could.”
That quote reveals the heart of Mary’s life’s work. While her husband built a decades-long acting career and her children pursued their own entertainment ambitions, she provided the foundation that made it all possible. She raised four children who all succeeded in notoriously difficult industries, maintained a stable home life despite Hollywood’s pressures, and did it all while avoiding the public eye.
In today’s terminology, we might call her a “homemaker” or “stay-at-home parent,” but those labels don’t fully capture the complexity of supporting a multigenerational entertainment family. Mary’s choice to prioritize family over personal career ambitions was deliberate and, by all accounts, successful.