Richard Dreyfuss Shares Health Struggles in Hospital Video

Richard Dreyfuss had planned to go to SharkCon in Tampa, Florida, this weekend, but the Jaws An actor called off his participation in a video shot from a hospital bed after revealing a significant medical condition.

"Hello, fellow inmates. I'm truly, genuinely sorry to inform you that I've been diagnosed with viral bronchitis," said the 77-year-old. said in the video with his wife Svetlana Erokhin assisting him in recalling the name of the illness.

Dreyfuss stated, "My physicians have informed me that I'm not able to fly, and it would take me five hours to arrive. I'm very sorry as I had intended to attend and was really anticipating it, but I can't make it. I don't wish for others to become ill, nor do I want to worsen my own condition."

The Academy Award champion, who was taking a break beneath a " Jaws 50” blanket commemorating the film’s 50th anniversary , informed guests that he felt "awful" for not attending the event but would feel even worse risking infecting them with his illness. He mentioned that he would "take it upon himself" to be present at future events.

And I hope you all have great fortune and joy, and I also hope you all feel truly sorry for me and even more so for yourselves," he said with a chuckle. "I'm experiencing a lot of discomfort, which takes priority—my well-being. And I'm really glad I've had the opportunity and sufficient health.

Erokhin spoke up once more, urging her husband to acknowledge his fans. "That's my wife talking," he remarked. "And she's correct—she understands how to handle this. Best of luck, good health, and a great convention. Goodbye!"

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Aside from Jaws Dreyfus is recognized for his performances in various movies American Graffiti , The Third Kind of Close Encounter , and Mr. Holland’s Opus as well as his Academy Award-winning role in The Goodbye Girl He made a return to the screen earlier this year through another shark-themed film, featuring his performance in Into the Deep .

Out of frame, the struggling actor has been involved in disputes over the past few years. In 2023, he mentioned during a PBS interview that the Academy Awards' new diversity policies "caused [him] to feel sick" and criticized "[yielding] to the newest, most popular version of moral standards."

Later, last year, Dreyfuss delivered a speech that participants described as a "transphobic, misogynistic, homophobic, and sexist outburst" during a discussion about women in cinema, the #MeToo campaign, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ rights at an event. Jaws showing in Beverly, Massachusetts, as reported by The Boston Globe .

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