Richard Dreyfuss Reveals Tough Health News, Misses SharkCon Appearance

Legendary actor Richard Dreyfuss Has provided an emotional wellness update to his followers, disclosing that he is unwell enough not to be able to join this year's SharkCon, which he had been set to participate in as part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations for "Jaws."

A 77-year-old actor best known for portraying oceanographer Matt Hooper in the film Steven Spielberg Classic looked noticeably ill in a video shared on SharkCon's official Instagram account on Sunday.

Shot from a hospital bed and covered with a "Jaws" blanket, Richard Dreyfuss had difficulty speaking as he expressed regret to supporters and described his health status.

Richard Dreyfuss Withdraws from SharkCon Event Because of Outbreak of Bronchitis

"Hello everyone," he started. "I'm extremely sorry to inform you that I've been diagnosed with a virus... um... what is it?" His wife, Svetlana Erokhin, was heard from off-camera explaining, "Viral bronchitis," which Richard then repeated with some struggle.

I was informed by my physicians that I can't travel by air and it would take me five hours to arrive," Dreyfuss added. "I'm very sorry as I had intended to attend [SharkCon] and had been excited about it, but I simply can't make it. I don't wish to put others at risk of illness, nor do I want to worsen my own condition.

Although he was uneasy, the actor from "Jaws" maintained his wit. "I want each of you to feel really bad for me, and also for yourselves. I'm in a great deal of pain, and that comes before everything else. My well-being."

Dreyfuss and His Spouse Express Gratitude to Followers During Medical Struggle

His spouse joined in with enthusiasm, "And such amazing supporters!" prompting Richard to say, "She's correct, she understands how to handle this... Wishing you all the best, good health, and a joyful convention. Goodbye!"

Bronchitis refers to an illness characterized by swelling of the airways leading to the lungs, commonly causing symptoms such as coughing, tiredness, and trouble breathing, which can significantly impact one's ability to travel.

The SharkCon planners also issued a message confirming to supporters that every pre-paid signature and picture session will receive an automatic refund between 5 to 10 working days. "We apologize for any trouble caused. Thanks."

Richard Dreyfuss Shares His Thoughts About 'Jaws': "I Believed It Would Turn Into A Disasters"

"The Jaws," adapted from Peter Benchley's 1974 book, features Roy Scheider portraying Police Chief Martin Brody, who teams up with Dreyfuss' role and professional shark killer Quint (played by Robert Shaw) to hunt a massive white shark menacing a coastal community in New England. The movie has consistently been recognized as one of the top suspenseful films ever made and continues to be an enduring pop culture icon after half a century.

During a phone call from Europe last summer, the Academy Award-winning actor confessed that he finds the topic of "Jaws" "very" uninteresting. "No, I'm serious. I don't wish to discuss it," he said. USA TODAY Network . Nevertheless, Dreyfuss was willing to talk about the film before a speech event in New Jersey, which featured a private showing of the movie.

Although he frequently gets questioned about backstage conflicts, Dreyfuss mentioned that his most memorable part of the movie was Robert Shaw's unsettling speech regarding the U.S.S. Indianapolis. "That is definitely my favorite scene," he remarked.

Although popular culture has frequently imagined a conflict between Dreyfuss and Shaw, the actor firmly rejected the idea, citing one of his reasons for disliking "The Shark Is Broken," a Broadway production penned by Shaw's son that portrays an alleged rivalry. "I didn’t enjoy the play since it was built around a dispute that never existed," he stated.

Dreyfuss Remembers Feeling Restless During Filming of 'Jaws'

What about the actual filming? Dreyfuss recalls one dominant emotion: monotony.

You spend most of your time just waiting, and there's really nothing else to do except wait," he remembered. "If there's a sailboat in the background, you have to wait until that sailboat leaves... and once you've waited long enough for it to go, another one appears.

Extended daylight hours at Martha's Vineyard were marked by setbacks, equipment issues with the mechanical sharks, and long periods of nothing happening.

Richard Dreyfuss Believed 'Jaws' Would Fail Richard Dreyfuss Expected 'Jaws' To Be A Flop Richard Dreyfuss Felt 'Jaws' Was Going To Collapse Richard Dreyfuss Assumed 'Jaws' Would Not Succeed Richard Dreyfuss Hoped 'Jaws' Wouldn't Be A Failure Richard Dreyfuss Predicted 'Jaws' Would Be A Disappointment Richard Dreyfuss Figured 'Jaws' Would Go Wrong Richard Dreyfuss Estimated 'Jaws' Would Be A Mess Richard Dreyfuss Thought 'Jaws' Would Be A Total Loss Richard Dreyfuss Considered 'Jaws' As A Potential Disaster

Back then, Dreyfuss wasn't sure the movie would turn out. "I believed it was going to be a mess," he mentioned. "I remember appearing on at least one TV program where I claimed this was an absolute failure. Later, I returned to the same show and called myself the biggest fool in acting. Once I watched the completed film, I understood I had been wrong."

Even if he prefers not to discuss it, Dreyfuss' portrayal, along with Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw, secured his spot in film legend. And after fifty years, "Jaws" still enchants viewers across the globe.