Beloved Jaws actor Richard Dreyfuss has left fans heartbroken after announcing he was forced to cancel a public appearance due to illness.
The 77-year-old Oscar winner was slated to attend SharkCon in Florida – a much-anticipated event for fans of the iconic 1975 thriller — but revealed in an emotional Instagram video that he has been diagnosed with viral bronchitis and has been advised not to travel.
“I’ve been diagnosed with viral… what is it?” Dreyfuss asked his wife, Svetlana Erokhin, in the video, visibly struggling and leaning on her support. “I’ve been diagnosed with viral bronchitis and I’ve been told by my doctors that I cannot fly.”
With deep regret in his voice, he told fans, “I’m terribly sorry because I had planned to be there and have been looking forward to it… I don’t want to get anyone else sick, and I don’t want to get sicker myself.”
Dreyfuss, who rose to international fame for his role as Matt Hooper in Jaws, appeared genuinely crushed about missing the chance to connect with fans. “I feel terrible,” he said. “But I would feel even worse if I exposed you to this.”
Fighting through the disappointment with a touch of trademark humour, he added, “I want you all to feel very sorry for me. And very sorry for yourselves.”
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Despite the setback, Dreyfuss promised to make it up to his fans, saying he will “show up” at future events when his health improves. “That has to come first,” he said. “My health. And I feel very good about having the time and enough health [to recover].”
The video was shared in a joint post by SharkCon and Field and Screen. In a follow-up message, SharkCon confirmed that all prepaid autograph and photo op purchases would be automatically refunded within 5–10 business days.
Fans have flooded social media with messages of love and support for the veteran actor, many expressing hope that he gets the rest he needs and returns stronger soon.
SharkCon won’t be the same without him – but the ocean waits.
Images: Instagram
