Hazel Vorice McCord: The Mother Behind the Van Dyke Brothers

Behind every great entertainer is a foundation built long before they ever step onto a stage. When we think of classic American comedy, the Van Dyke name immediately comes to mind. Yet, the story of Hazel Vorice McCord, the mother who raised both Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke, is rarely told. While her sons captured the hearts of millions through television and film, Hazel lived a quiet, hardworking life in the American Midwest.

Her life story offers a fascinating look at the working-class roots, deep religious faith, and strong family ties that ultimately shaped two of Hollywood’s most beloved figures.

Who was Hazel Vorice McCord?

Hazel Vorice McCord (1896–1992) was an American stenographer best known as the mother of legendary actors Dick Van Dyke and Jerry Van Dyke. Born in Illinois, she married salesman Loren Wayne Van Dyke and raised her family in Danville, instilling the deep religious values and work ethic that guided her sons’ successful careers.

Key Takeaways

• Midwestern Roots: Hazel was born in East Lynn, Illinois, in 1896 to a family with deep Scottish, Irish, and English ancestry.

• Working Professional: During an era when many women stayed home, she worked as a stenographer to help support her family.

• Famous Offspring: She is the mother of Emmy-winning actors Richard Wayne “Dick” Van Dyke and Jerry McCord Van Dyke.

• Religious Influence: Her strong Presbyterian faith heavily influenced Dick Van Dyke, who originally considered becoming a minister before pursuing acting.

• Long Life: She lived to the remarkable age of 95, passing away in 1992 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Early Life and Family History

Hazel Vorice McCord (sometimes recorded as Hazel Victoria McCord) was born on October 6, 1896, in the small town of East Lynn, located in Vermilion County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Charles Cornelius McCord and Adeline Verinda Neal.

The McCord family had deep roots in the United States. Her ancestry was a rich blend of Scottish, Irish, and English heritage. In fact, genealogical records suggest the family line traces all the way back to John Alden, a famous passenger on the Mayflower.

Growing up at the turn of the 20th century, Hazel experienced an era of rapid change in the American Midwest. The transition from the late 1800s to the early 1900s brought industrial advancements to Vermilion County. Despite these changes, her family maintained traditional, deeply religious values that would eventually define her own household.

Marriage to Loren Wayne Van Dyke

In 1924, Hazel married Loren Wayne Van Dyke, a charismatic salesman who went by the nickname “Cookie.” Loren worked as a traveling representative for the Sunshine Biscuit Company.

The couple initially moved around for Loren’s sales job. Their first son, Richard Wayne (who would later become famous as Dick Van Dyke), was born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri.

However, the family did not stay in Missouri for long. They relocated back to Vermilion County, settling down in Danville, Illinois. Six years after Dick was born, Hazel gave birth to her second son, Jerry McCord Van Dyke, on July 27, 1931, right in Danville.

A Look at the Van Dyke Household

The Van Dyke home in Danville was a modest, working-class environment. Money was not always abundant, especially during the Great Depression years of the 1930s.

To help make ends meet, Hazel worked as a stenographer. Her ability to hold down a demanding administrative job while managing a household with two highly energetic boys demonstrated her strong character. Her husband, Loren, was often on the road selling cookies and crackers, meaning Hazel handled the bulk of the daily parenting duties.

The Mother of Two Comedy Legends

Raising two future comedians in the Midwest was no small task. Danville provided a tight-knit community for the boys to grow up in. They attended Danville High School, where they rubbed shoulders with other future entertainers like Donald O’Connor and Bobby Short.

The Influence of Faith

Hazel Vorice McCord was a deeply religious woman. She raised her sons in the Presbyterian faith, ensuring that church attendance and Sunday school were mandatory parts of their routine.

This religious upbringing had a massive impact on Dick Van Dyke. For a significant portion of his youth, he fully intended to become a minister. He only shifted his focus to entertainment after taking a high school drama class. Even after becoming a massive Hollywood star, Dick continued to teach Sunday school and often credited his mother’s religious teachings for keeping him grounded in a notoriously difficult industry.

Encouraging Creativity

While Hazel wanted her boys to be respectable and faithful, she also provided an environment where their natural humor could flourish. The boys inherited their father’s outgoing, salesman-like charm, but they relied on Hazel’s steady, organized nature to keep them disciplined.

Jerry Van Dyke, who used his mother’s maiden name as his middle name, began performing stand-up comedy while still in high school. Hazel watched both of her sons take the leap from local Danville stages to the United States military entertainment divisions, and eventually, to national television.

Hazel’s Life Timeline and Quick Facts

To understand the scope of her life, it helps to look at the timeline of events that shaped her journey.

The Later Years and Family Legacy

Hazel Vorice McCord watched her sons achieve unimaginable success. She saw Dick win a Tony Award, star in Mary Poppins, and dominate television with The Dick Van Dyke Show. She also watched Jerry build a massive career of his own, eventually starring in the hit sitcom Coach.

In August 1975, her husband Loren passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 73. Hazel outlived him by nearly two decades.

She spent her later years enjoying her expanding family. She became a grandmother to Dick’s four children (Christian, Barry, Carrie Beth, and Stacy) and Jerry’s children. Today, her great-grandchildren, including actors Shane Van Dyke and Carey Van Dyke, continue the family’s entertainment legacy.

Her Final Resting Place

Hazel passed away on September 27, 1992, at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was 95 years old.

She was brought back to her home state of Illinois for burial. She rests next to her husband at the Sunset Memorial Park in Danville, the very town where she raised her two famous sons. Interestingly, 1992 was also the exact same year her son Dick received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Final Verdict

Hazel Vorice McCord was much more than a footnote in Hollywood history. She was a dedicated stenographer, a devout Presbyterian, and the steadfast anchor of the Van Dyke family. Without her disciplined Midwestern upbringing and strong moral guidance, the world might never have experienced the comedic genius of Dick and Jerry Van Dyke. She provided the stable foundation that allowed her sons to reach the highest peaks of the entertainment industry.

Next Steps for Readers

If you want to learn more about the history of early Hollywood families or the specific genealogy of the Van Dyke family, consider taking these actions:

1. Explore local Midwestern historical records to see how working-class families lived during the 1920s and 1930s.

2. Watch early episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show or Coach to see the comedic timing Hazel helped nurture in her sons.

3. Check out Dick Van Dyke’s Official Biography to read firsthand accounts of his childhood in Danville, Illinois.

4. Visit the Vermilion County Historical Society to discover more about the local community that shaped this legendary family.

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