Larry Mathews, best known for his role as Richie Petrie in the iconic sitcom *The Dick Van Dyke Show*, has recently opened up about the common misconceptions surrounding the financial gains associated with being part of a hugely successful television series. Despite the show’s enduring legacy and its acclaim—winning 15 Emmy Awards between 1961 and 1966—Mathews revealed that he personally did not reap the financial rewards many assume come with such fame.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/larry-mathews-1-101926-b7dd0e8f003e48d49e8631a9d1979d7f.jpg)
The 71-year-old actor highlighted that the perception of wealth linked to the series is largely erroneous. “Everybody thinks that we’re rich because we were on a really hit show,” Mathews explained in an interview with PEOPLE. While *The Dick Van Dyke Show* was a successful production, bringing in significant earnings, Mathews clarifies that he hasn’t benefited from the show’s continued popularity in syndication. “Yeah, [the show] made a lot of money, but we didn’t,” he stated.
During his five-year tenure on the show, Mathews experienced payment structures that were markedly different from today’s residual systems. He noted that actors were paid per episode, irrespective of their participation in it. According to Mathews, in order to receive the full residual payment, an episode had to air five times, and the residuals themselves followed a decreasing scale with each subsequent airing. After these initial five runs, cast members received no further compensation for the episode.
Mathews elaborated on the disparities in earnings, stating, “The people that made the money off the show were the people who owned it when it went into syndication.” He pointed to key figures such as creator Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke himself as the ones benefiting from the show’s syndication royalties, while cast members, including himself and Mary Tyler Moore, received only their initial compensation.
After completing his education at UCLA, where he earned a degree in theatre, Mathews embarked on a varied career in post-production and sales. He still engages in occasional voiceover work for programmes like *Family Guy*, although he notes that these residual incomes are also minimal in comparison to what many might expect. “I still get some measly residuals for that, but I don’t get anything from *The Dick Van Dyke Show*,” he revealed.
Despite the financial limitations, Mathews has fond memories of his time on the show and the friendships formed with his co-stars. One of his closest relationships was with Rose Marie, who shared a birthday with him and remained a dear friend until her passing in 2017. Mathews reminisced about moments spent away from the set, including sleepovers and family outings, which fostered genuine connections among the cast.
Reflecting on the interpersonal dynamics of the show, Mathews expressed that the camaraderie among cast members was evident in their performances. “We were like a family, and I think it showed in the show,” he remarked. He believes this authenticity allowed audiences to genuinely connect with the characters, seeing the believable chemistry between Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore as a reflection of their off-screen relationships.
While the financial aspects of his early career may not have brought the riches often assumed by outsiders, Larry Mathews treasures the invaluable experiences and relationships that he gained during his time on *The Dick Van Dyke Show*. The memories, friendships, and life lessons remain a testament to the show’s legacy and its impact on the lives of those involved.