{"id":263717,"date":"2025-07-14T08:06:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T08:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/263717\/"},"modified":"2025-07-14T08:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T08:06:11","slug":"jaws-star-77-terribly-sorry-to-cancel-event-last-minute-after-being-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/263717\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaws star, 77, ‘terribly sorry’ to cancel event last minute after being infection"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Jaws actor Richard Dreyfuss <\/a>was forced to cancel a fan convention appearance after falling ill over the weekend.<\/p>\n

The 77-year-old actor, who played sceptical oceanographer Matt Hooper in Steven Spielberg\u2019s 1975 horror classic<\/a>, was due to appear at the National Geographic-sponsored SharkCon in Florida.<\/p>\n

However, in a video shared to the convention\u2019s Instagram, he revealed he was pulling out of the appearance after getting diagnosed with viral bronchitis.<\/p>\n

In a video from a bed, Richard said: \u2018Hello cons, I\u2019m very, very sorry to tell you that I\u2019ve been diagnosed with viral bronchitis. And I\u2019ve been told by my doctors I cannot fly, and I would have to fly five hours to get there.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m terribly sorry because I had planned to be there and had been looking forward to it.\u2019<\/p>\n

The themed event \u2013 which was focused on shark shows and films \u2013 took place at Florida State Fairgrounds Expo in Tampa, where Richard was set for photo ops and autograph signings.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"SharkCon
\n\t\tRichard Dreyfuss has been diagnosed with viral bronchitis (Picture: Instagram\/shark_con)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Editorial
\n\t\tRichard, 77, played Matt Hooper in Jaws (Picture: Universal\/Kobal\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

In his video message, Richard added that he \u2018didn\u2019t want to get anyone else sick\u2019.<\/p>\n

He said: \u2018I feel terrible about not showing up, and I\u2019d feel worse about exposing you to this apparently very viral illness.<\/p>\n

\u2018But 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

Richard, who sparked a fierce backlash last year after a rant against the MeToo movement and LGBTQ+ rights<\/a>, admitted to being \u2018in a lot of pain\u2019 and insisted that his health<\/a> was his top priority.<\/p>\n

The Stand by Me star jokingly added: \u2018I want you all to feel very sorry for me. And very sorry for yourselves. I\u2019m in a lot of pain, and that has to come first, my health, and I feel very good about having the time and enough health.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tViral bronchitis symptoms\t\t\t<\/p>\n

According to the NHS, symptoms include:<\/p>\n