I am a fan of Diagnosis Murder and am upset it was canceled. However, can you tell me about the Van Dyke family? Is Barry married and the father of all the children on the show?
—Joan S., New Jersey
The man behind the Van Dyke family is television legend Dick Van Dyke, who played Dr. Mark Sloan on the CBS show Diagnosis Murder. Most remember the elder Van Dyke from The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran for five seasons and earned him three Emmy Awards. Van Dyke, 76, was born in West Plains, Mo., grew up in Danville, Ill., and now lives in Malibu, Calif. Diagnosis Murder was something of a family affair with his son, Barry Van Dyke, portraying Lt. Steve Sloan. Barry, 50, majored in theater arts at Pierce Junior College. Barry currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and four children and enjoys off-road motorcycle racing and surfing. Barry's children did appear on the show, most notably his son, Shane, who guest-starred on several episodes.