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Fans of Jaws were left disappointed over the weekend when Hollywood star Richard Dreyfuss pulled out of his highly anticipated appearance at SharkCon in Florida after being hospitalised with viral bronchitis.
The 77-year-old actor, known for his iconic roles in Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Stand By Me, had been due to attend the popular convention to meet fans and celebrate the legacy of Steven Spielberg’s shark thriller. But in a heartfelt video message posted to SharkCon’s official Instagram account, Dreyfuss explained that doctors had warned him against travelling while he recovers from the illness.
“Hello, fellow Cons,” he began, speaking directly to fans in the clip. “I am very, very sorry to tell you that I’ve been diagnosed with viral… viral… What is it?”
His wife, Svetlana Erokhin, can then be heard off-camera reminding him, “bronchitis,” to which Dreyfuss nodded sheepishly.
“I’ve been told by my doctors I cannot fly, and I would have to fly five hours to get, to SharkCon,” he continued. “I’m terribly sorry because I had planned to be there and had been looking forward to it. But I’m unable to do so. I don’t want to get anyone else sick, and I don’t want to get sicker myself.”
He ended the message by expressing how disappointed he was not to meet the fans, calling his absence “a terrible shame” and wishing everyone attending SharkCon a great weekend.
The actor, who won an Academy Award for The Goodbye Girl in 1978, remains a beloved figure in the world of cinema and a regular on the fan convention circuit. His role as oceanographer Matt Hooper in Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster Jaws made him a household name, and he has embraced the film’s enduring cult following over the decades.
SharkCon organisers thanked Dreyfuss for his message, wishing him a speedy recovery and promising fans that they’re already working on securing new special guests for future events.
Fans also flooded the comments section with well-wishes and understanding, with many saying his health was the top priority. “Take care of yourself first, Richard, we’ll see you next time!” one fan wrote.
Viral bronchitis, while not usually serious, can be highly contagious and often requires rest and care to prevent worsening symptoms. Dreyfuss did not indicate whether he plans to reschedule his appearance at SharkCon, but given his affection for his Jaws fans, many are hopeful he’ll make it to a future event once he’s recovered.
