Dick Van Dyke, 98, Cancels Fan Convention Appearance After Missing Emmys: ‘More Than He Is Able to Do’

Mar. 15, 2025

Dick Van Dyke attends the 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on May 21, 2021 in Washington, DC.Photo:Paul Morigi/Getty

Paul Morigi/Getty

Dick Van Dykehas canceled a public appearance in Utah days after being absent from the2024 Emmy Awards, where he wasscheduled to be a presenter.The FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention announced in a statement posted onXandFacebookon Saturday, Sept. 21, that the legendary actor, 98, would be absent from the upcoming event. The convention will take place from Thursday, Sept. 26, to Saturday, Sept. 28.“We are sorry to announce that Dick Van Dyke is not able to travel to FanX. He expresses his gratitude to all of those who support him but, at almost 99 years of age, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time,” the statement reads.According to the convention’swebsite, event-goers who purchased a photo op with the esteemed actor, whoattended the convention in 2017, can upgrade or swap their photo ops with another guest appearing at the show or request a refund.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!PEOPLE has reached out to Van Dyke’s representative for comment.While the legendary performer missed out on the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, he was present when his 2023 birthday special,Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, took home the win foroutstanding variety special (pre-recorded)at the2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.Dick Van Dyke.Monty Brinton/CBS via GettyVan Dykeattended the Saturday, Sept. 7 event with his wife,Arlene Silver, who was an executive producer on the project.He proudly spoke with reporters in the press room, expressing that he hopes to be remembered “for making people laugh for 75 years” and offered advice to upcoming actors.“You have to stick with it,” he said. “You’re gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions … but you have to stay with it. Be patient if you’ve got the confidence in yourself, and it’s very important to believe that you can do it.“Dick Van Dyke at the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.Amy Sussman/GettyThe win occurred months after hebecame the oldest Daytime Emmy winner. He wonbest guest performer in a daytime drama seriesfor starringas Timothy RobicheauxonDays of Our Livesin June.“This nomination is very exciting; after all, it took me 75 years and my palDrake Hogestynto get on a soap opera! He is really the reason this happened and deserves the credit and thanks,” he shared with PEOPLE in an exclusive statement days before his big win. Hogestyn, 70, has played John Black on the long-running soap for decades.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“This is a very different honor for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting - comedy and musicals are my specialty after all,” Van Dyke’s statement continued. “I’m so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating with the entire daytime television community.”

Dick Van Dykehas canceled a public appearance in Utah days after being absent from the2024 Emmy Awards, where he wasscheduled to be a presenter.

The FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention announced in a statement posted onXandFacebookon Saturday, Sept. 21, that the legendary actor, 98, would be absent from the upcoming event. The convention will take place from Thursday, Sept. 26, to Saturday, Sept. 28.

“We are sorry to announce that Dick Van Dyke is not able to travel to FanX. He expresses his gratitude to all of those who support him but, at almost 99 years of age, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time,” the statement reads.

According to the convention’swebsite, event-goers who purchased a photo op with the esteemed actor, whoattended the convention in 2017, can upgrade or swap their photo ops with another guest appearing at the show or request a refund.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

PEOPLE has reached out to Van Dyke’s representative for comment.

While the legendary performer missed out on the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, he was present when his 2023 birthday special,Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, took home the win foroutstanding variety special (pre-recorded)at the2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Dick Van Dyke.Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

Van Dykeattended the Saturday, Sept. 7 event with his wife,Arlene Silver, who was an executive producer on the project.

He proudly spoke with reporters in the press room, expressing that he hopes to be remembered “for making people laugh for 75 years” and offered advice to upcoming actors.

“You have to stick with it,” he said. “You’re gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions … but you have to stay with it. Be patient if you’ve got the confidence in yourself, and it’s very important to believe that you can do it.”

Dick Van Dyke at the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

The win occurred months after hebecame the oldest Daytime Emmy winner. He wonbest guest performer in a daytime drama seriesfor starringas Timothy RobicheauxonDays of Our Livesin June.

“This nomination is very exciting; after all, it took me 75 years and my palDrake Hogestynto get on a soap opera! He is really the reason this happened and deserves the credit and thanks,” he shared with PEOPLE in an exclusive statement days before his big win. Hogestyn, 70, has played John Black on the long-running soap for decades.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“This is a very different honor for me; I seldom get recognized for dramatic or straight acting - comedy and musicals are my specialty after all,” Van Dyke’s statement continued. “I’m so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating with the entire daytime television community.”

source: people.com