Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, best known for Jaws, canceled his appearance at the shark-themed SharkCon in Tampa, Florida, due to viral bronchitis. In a July 11 video on SharkCon’s Instagram, Dreyfuss said his doctors advised against flying, and he didn’t want to risk spreading the illness.
“I’m terribly sorry,” he said, adding that he’d been looking forward to the July 12–13 event, sponsored by National Geographic. SharkCon, which features shark-themed exhibits, speakers, and celebrity guests, announced that all prepaid photo ops and autographs with Dreyfuss would be refunded.
“I feel terrible about not showing up,” he said, “but there will be other times.”
Bronchitis, often caused by viruses, inflames the airways and leads to coughing. Most cases resolve in a couple of weeks, but chronic bronchitis may require long-term care.
Dreyfuss, born in 1947 in Brooklyn, rose to fame with American Graffiti, Jaws, and Close Encounters. He won an Oscar in 1977 for The Goodbye Girl and earned another nomination for Mr. Holland’s Opus. Known for his range, he’s also been open about his bipolar disorder.