Northern Thunder Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I don't know how many of you know that the late, great Blue Devils founder/director/DCI Hall of Famer Jerry Seawright grew up as friends with famed actor/comedian Dick Van Dyke, back in Danville, IL. Jerry even appeared on the April 19, 1987 national television broadcast "This Is Your Life" tribute to Dick Van Dyke, which was aired on NBC. Jerry told several stories about the things the two of them did as young boys. I'll never forget being quite surprised to see Jerry on that broadcast, and I later asked him about his life-long friendship with Van Dyke. He went on for quite some time, telling me about those "good old days". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurcwave Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 That is pretty awesome.. maybe somewhere on Hulu or google video or some video site may be a replay of it. Thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrainWreck Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Jerry also attended school with a relative of Gene Hackman. Dick Van Dyke posted a comment with the Blue Devils when people were posting their memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 Jerry even gets a credit on imdb.com (Internet Movie Database) for this appearance. Jerry Seawright I'm sure Dick Van Dyke has a copy, if nobody else does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) I just found this link from the Danville library showing photos of Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Seawright: Scroll down a bit and you'll see the photo of the two of them. Jerry Seawright/Dick Van Dyke Photos Edited May 29, 2009 by Northern Thunder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Thunder Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) I find it interesting that Jerry and Dick called their group of buddies The Burfords. The old Dick Van Dyke Show often had references to people being called "Burford". Especially the episode where Dick's brother Jerry Van Dyke was featured as a banjo-playing comedian who called everybody "Burford" whenever he was sleepwalking. Here's one more photo: photo Edited May 29, 2009 by Northern Thunder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommytimp Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Man... Blue Devils always knew when the DVDs were coming first. Thank you. Drive safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomnoise Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Years ago, I was at a party at Jerry's for his birthday. The phone rang and I picked up. I recognized the voice of Dick Van Dyke immediately. As a big fan, I got to talk to him for a few minutes before turning the phone over to Jerry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washingtoncorpsfan Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Now, if that isn't the coolest, I don't know what is. Thanks for sharing that with us :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tja273 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Years ago, I was at a party at Jerry's for his birthday. The phone rang and I picked up. I recognized the voice of Dick Van Dyke immediately. As a big fan, I got to talk to him for a few minutes before turning the phone over to Jerry. That IS the coolest...you went to Jerry's birthday party!! Too bad you were interrupted by some phone call... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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