Hollywood icon forced to pull out of beloved event after sudden diagnosis
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There was a highly anticipated public appearance set to take place at a special celebration.
Fans of a major cultural moment were eager to see a familiar face tied to a classic work of film.
But instead, an emotional message was shared from an unexpected place.
And what it revealed took many by surprise—leaving supporters saddened and worried.
When it comes to Hollywood legends, few names shine as brightly as Richard Dreyfuss.
His iconic role as Matt Hooper in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws has become a cornerstone of cinema history, especially now as the film celebrates its 50th anniversary.
So when fans heard he was scheduled to appear at this year’s SharkCon, excitement was high.
But just days before the event, Dreyfuss shared a heartfelt—and worrying—message from a hospital bed that left fans concerned and disappointed.
At 77, the actor has been diagnosed with bronchitis and, on doctor’s orders, had to withdraw from the highly anticipated appearance.
The update came through a video posted to SharkCon’s Instagram account.
In it, Dreyfuss appears wrapped in a Jaws blanket, a subtle but touching nod to the role that made him a household name.
Though visibly pale and struggling to speak at times, he addressed fans directly and sincerely.
“Hello fellow cons,” he began. “I am very, very sorry to tell you that I’ve been diagnosed with, viral, er… What is it?” His wife, Svetlana Erokhin, could be heard off-screen helping him find the words: “viral bronchitis.”
Also read: Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson dies at 82—cause of death and health battle revealed
Bronchitis, an inflammation of the airways that carry air to the lungs, can be especially difficult for older adults.
In Dreyfuss’s case, it has left him unable to make the five-hour flight to the convention. “I’ve been told by my doctors I cannot fly,” he explained.
“I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there [at SharkCon] and I had been looking forward to it, but I am unable to do so. I don't want to get anyone else sick, and I don't want to get sicker myself,” he said.
“I feel terrible about not showing up and I feel worse about exposing you to this apparently very viral illness. But there will be other times and I will make it my business to show up,” he added.
Source: @shark_con / Instagram
SharkCon organizers acted quickly, confirming that all prepaid autographs and photo ops would be refunded automatically.
“There is no reason to reach out,” they reassured ticket holders in the caption of the post.
But it was the comments from fans that truly showed how much Dreyfuss means to them.
“Your health is most important. Don’t feel bad about it. Get better quickly!” one person wrote.
Another added, “This is my all time favourite move!! Feel better Richard... sending healing prayers.” One even called him “one of the great actors of his time.”
Even fellow actor Sharon Stone chimed in: “Honey, feel better. The world is not good without you then come over and give me a hug.”
Also read: This woman mistook her lethal cancer for indigestion – could you make the same mistake? Spot the deadly signs now!
Dreyfuss became a global star with his role in Jaws, based on Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel.
The film starred Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody, Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint, and Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper.
Together, they took on a great white shark terrorizing a New England beach town.
In the SharkCon video, Dreyfuss closed with both humor and gratitude: “I want to wish you all good luck and happiness and I want you all to feel very sorry for me, and very sorry for yourselves. I'm in a lot of pain and that has to come first, my health. I feel very good about having the time and enough health.”
His wife added, “And such great fans!” Dreyfuss agreed, repeating, “And such great fans.”
With a touch of wit, he concluded, “That’s my wife saying that! She's right, she knows how to do this. So good luck, happy health, happy con—bye!”
Read next: Is your favorite rock band about to change forever? Legendary drummer exits after 27 years
Have you ever had to cancel something important because of an illness? What’s your favorite Richard Dreyfuss moment—or your earliest memory of watching Jaws? Share your thoughts and well wishes in the comments below.
Fans of a major cultural moment were eager to see a familiar face tied to a classic work of film.
But instead, an emotional message was shared from an unexpected place.
And what it revealed took many by surprise—leaving supporters saddened and worried.
When it comes to Hollywood legends, few names shine as brightly as Richard Dreyfuss.
His iconic role as Matt Hooper in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws has become a cornerstone of cinema history, especially now as the film celebrates its 50th anniversary.
So when fans heard he was scheduled to appear at this year’s SharkCon, excitement was high.
But just days before the event, Dreyfuss shared a heartfelt—and worrying—message from a hospital bed that left fans concerned and disappointed.
Richard Dreyfuss forced to pull out of this year’s SharkCon after sudden diagnosis. Image Source: E! News / YouTube
At 77, the actor has been diagnosed with bronchitis and, on doctor’s orders, had to withdraw from the highly anticipated appearance.
The update came through a video posted to SharkCon’s Instagram account.
In it, Dreyfuss appears wrapped in a Jaws blanket, a subtle but touching nod to the role that made him a household name.
Though visibly pale and struggling to speak at times, he addressed fans directly and sincerely.
“Hello fellow cons,” he began. “I am very, very sorry to tell you that I’ve been diagnosed with, viral, er… What is it?” His wife, Svetlana Erokhin, could be heard off-screen helping him find the words: “viral bronchitis.”
Also read: Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson dies at 82—cause of death and health battle revealed
Bronchitis, an inflammation of the airways that carry air to the lungs, can be especially difficult for older adults.
In Dreyfuss’s case, it has left him unable to make the five-hour flight to the convention. “I’ve been told by my doctors I cannot fly,” he explained.
“I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there [at SharkCon] and I had been looking forward to it, but I am unable to do so. I don't want to get anyone else sick, and I don't want to get sicker myself,” he said.
“I feel terrible about not showing up and I feel worse about exposing you to this apparently very viral illness. But there will be other times and I will make it my business to show up,” he added.
Source: @shark_con / Instagram
SharkCon organizers acted quickly, confirming that all prepaid autographs and photo ops would be refunded automatically.
“There is no reason to reach out,” they reassured ticket holders in the caption of the post.
But it was the comments from fans that truly showed how much Dreyfuss means to them.
“Your health is most important. Don’t feel bad about it. Get better quickly!” one person wrote.
Another added, “This is my all time favourite move!! Feel better Richard... sending healing prayers.” One even called him “one of the great actors of his time.”
Even fellow actor Sharon Stone chimed in: “Honey, feel better. The world is not good without you then come over and give me a hug.”
Also read: This woman mistook her lethal cancer for indigestion – could you make the same mistake? Spot the deadly signs now!
Dreyfuss became a global star with his role in Jaws, based on Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel.
The film starred Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody, Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint, and Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper.
Together, they took on a great white shark terrorizing a New England beach town.
In the SharkCon video, Dreyfuss closed with both humor and gratitude: “I want to wish you all good luck and happiness and I want you all to feel very sorry for me, and very sorry for yourselves. I'm in a lot of pain and that has to come first, my health. I feel very good about having the time and enough health.”
His wife added, “And such great fans!” Dreyfuss agreed, repeating, “And such great fans.”
With a touch of wit, he concluded, “That’s my wife saying that! She's right, she knows how to do this. So good luck, happy health, happy con—bye!”
Read next: Is your favorite rock band about to change forever? Legendary drummer exits after 27 years
