- Turned down the role of Gilligan on Gilligan's Island (1964) because he thought it was "the worst thing" he had ever read. In addition, he was offered to join the cast of The Andy Griffith Show (1960) in 1965, when Don Knotts left the show, but he declined. Instead, he chose to do My Mother the Car (1965). The cancellation of that short-lived series led him to regret his decision not to do either Gilligan's Island (1964) or The Andy Griffith Show (1960).
- Daughter, Jerri, runs Jerry Van Dyke's Soda Shoppe in Benton, Arkansas.
- Younger brother of actor Dick Van Dyke.
- Was considered for the role of Tom Hagen in The Godfather (1972).
- The part of George Utley on Newhart (1982) was originally created for him.
- Started his television career at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute in the 1950s. He and his brother both applied for a job there but Dick did not get hired.
- Father-in-law of Jack Nance.
- Was one of the first people to tour with the Air Force Tops in Blue. Appeared on the Ed Sullivan show with the group.
- Father of actress Kelly Van Dyke, Jerri Van Dyke, and Ronald Van Dyke.
- Doing commercials for store chain Big Lots. (December 2003)
- Although he was very close with his Coach (1989) co-star Craig T. Nelson after the series ended in 1997 and they kept in touch very frequently until Van Dyke's death in 2018, Van Dyke once said that Nelson was very hard to get along with when the series began and they had to work on their on-screen chemistry.
- Has two grandchildren.
- Did spots on television, radio and night clubs but got his big chance by appearing as Rob Petries brother in The Dick Van Dyke Show after which CBS signed him up and gave him his own series - 'My Mother, The Car.'.
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