Dick Van Dyke has been one of the most prominent names in Hollywood for nearly 70 years, appearing in dozens of films and television shows. The beloved nonagenarian is known for projects like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), The Dick Van Dyke Show, Diagnosis Murder, Night at the Museum (2006), and more.The treasured actor became a Disney Legend in 1998, after leaving his mark on the Mouse House by starring as Bert the chimney sweep and Mr. Dawes Sr. in the iconic film, Mary Poppins (1964). He returned more than 50 years later, tap dancing on a table, and playing Mr. Dawes Jr. in Mary Poppins Returns (2018).Credit: Video Screenshot, ‘Mary Poppins’, DisneyRelated: Dick Van Dyke Forced to Suddenly Drop Out of Fan EventWhen you live to be 99 years old, and spend most of that time in front of the camera, you are sure to have some amazing stories to tell, and Dick Van Dyke is no exception.In the past, Mr. Van Dyke has been very open about the darker periods of his life, including his decades-long struggle with alcoholism. The actor admitted that he started drinking when he was a teenager, and things only got worse from there. In 1972, Van Dyke checked himself into rehab, where he remained for three weeks.Thankfully, he has managed to remain sober ever since and has gone on to live a wonderful life.Credit: Gage Skidmore, FlickrRelated: Dick Van Dyke Gets Honest About Impending DeathNow, Mr. Van Dyke has shocked fans with another memorable tale, this time about a near-death experience he had when he was 85 years old and became lost at sea!According to Mr. Van Dyke, back in 2010, he went surfing in Virginia Beach, and fell asleep on his surfboard. When he woke up, he quickly realized that he had drifted and could no longer see land.To make things worse, he soon saw that he was surrounded by fins and thought the worst. But they were not sharks around him, but porpoises! They surrounded Van Dyke and let him back to shore.“I woke up out of sight of land. I look around and I started paddling with the swells, and I started seeing fins swimming around me, and I thought ‘I’m dead!’ They turned out to be porpoises,” he said. “And they pushed me all the way to shore. I’m not kidding, all the way to shore.”Credit: Video Screenshot, ‘Mary Poppins Returns’, DisneyRelated: Dick Van Dyke Invites Guests to His Memorial ServicesUnfortunately, Mr. Van Dyke’s health has not been very good as of late. Recently, he was supposed to attend an event at Vandy Camp, a fan event put on by the actor and his wife, Arlene Silver.Mr. Van Dyke was supposed to attend a Q&A session, but was forced to drop out at the last minute. His wife said that he was having a bad day, and that something like that can happen when you’re 99 years old. Thankfully, Mr. Van Dyke was feeling well enough to call in for a brief time via a livestream.Both Mr. Van Dyke and Ms. Silver said that the actor is determined to be at the next Vandy Camp event.Have you ever had a scare while enjoying time in the ocean? What would you have done in that situation? What is your favorite Dick Van Dyke television show or movie? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!The post Dick Van Dyke Recalls Near-Death Experience, Being Saved By Wild Animals appeared first on Inside the Magic.