Legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke was revealed to have been the Gnome during Wednesday’s season nine premiere of The Masked Singer on Fox. The 97-year-old star left judge Nicole Scherzinger in tears when he revealed his identity.
The episode began with the Mustang delivering a strong rendition of the Whitesnake song Here I Go Again. Nicole told Mustang that she had never been more speechless in nine seasons after her performance.
Dick Van Dyke, dressed as the Gnome performed next and treated the audience to a rendition of When You’re Smiling by Frank Sinatra. While panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, and Ken Jeong were all stumped by the Gnome’s identity, Nicole guessed that it was Dustin Hoffman.
“This is the most seasoned and most decorated we’ve had on our show, ladies and gentlemen,” said show host Nick Cannon as Van Dyke revealed his identity.
When the Gnome was unmasked, Nicole openly wept as show host Nick Cannon asked the beloved actor what it was like being the Gnome.
“It was really dark in there. …I couldn’t see anything,” the entertainer said. Nicole told him that the whole world loves him and that it was an honor to have him on the show.
“I love you so much, we love you, the whole world loves you so much. It’s an honor to have you on our show,” Nicole said.
Ken Jeong told that he was one of the reasons that he went into comedy. The entertainer then performed his final song which of course was a rendition of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from the 1964 film Mary Poppins that included a little dancing from the entertainer.
Twitter followers posted their love for the iconic actor with some saying,
There is definitely gnome one like you, @iammrvandy!! ???? ???? #GnomeMask
????: @maskedsingerfox— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) February 17, 2023
Another user posted, “Watched #TheMaskedSinger and having 97 year old Dick Van Dyke sing tonight was as good as it gets. The man is a Legend.”
