Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss was forced to cancel his appearance at SharkCon, taking place this weekend at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, due to his hospitalization with viral bronchitis.
In a video posted to the event’s Instagram page, the Jaws star can be seen laying in a hospital bed delivering the message, with his wife Svetlana Erokhin chiming in occasionally and the sounds of the vital signs monitor in the background.
“Hello, fellow cons. I am very, very sorry to tell you that I’ve been diagnosed with viral … viral … What is it?” Dreyfuss began, prompting Erokhin to offer the diagnosis of bronchitis.
“I’ve been told by my doctors I cannot fly, and I would have to fly five hours to get [to SharkCon]. 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. I feel terrible about not showing up, and I feel worse about exposing you to this, apparently, very viral illness,” The Goodbye Girl star said.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways leading into the lungs, and is often caused by a variety of viruses such as the flu virus or COVID. A persistent cough lasting up to several weeks is the main symptom, with additional effects including fever, shortness of breath and fatigue. While bronchitis itself isn’t contagious, the viruses that cause it are. Treatments for viral bronchitis include antiviral medications, cough suppressants and bronchodilators, though the illness typically goes away on its own. Viral bronchitis can lead to greater risks and complications for those over 65, such as pneumonia.
Dreyfuss continued, “But there will be other times and I will make it my business to show up. And 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.”
“And such great fans,” Erokhin added, as Richard agreed: “And such great fans.” She continued, “We love you, we miss you all, and we will see you soon.”
“That’s my wife saying that,” Dreyfuss concluded. “She’s right, she knows how to do this. So good luck, happy health, happy con – bye!”
In the post, SharkCon added in the caption that “all prepaid autographs and photo ops will automatically be refunded.”
The Close Encounters of the Third Kind star was among the celebrities scheduled to appear alongside Jaws costars Jeffrey Voorhees, John Dukakis, the Searle brothers and others. The Steven Spielberg classic is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the creature feature birthing the modern-day summer blockbuster on June 20, 1975. On Aug. 29, AMC Theaters will re-release the movie for the silver screen.
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