Days after missing the 2024 Emmy Awards event in Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, Dick Van Dyke is set to skip another upcoming event in Utah. The FanX comic convention taking place in Salt Lake City this weekend will go on without Dyke, who is unable to travel at this time.
The 98-year-old issued a statement thanking his supporters, and explaining his absence from public appearances as of late. The screen star says he needs rest, especially after multiple engagements, events, and travels at his age.
Is Dick Van Dyke okay?
Some fans already purchased a photo-op with Dyke ahead of the event and are now required to swap with another celebrity guest or request a refund. Disappointed event-goers reacted to news of Dyke’s absence on social media, where they hoped for his quick recovery.
One of Dyke’s fans claimed they were skeptical about his attendance the whole time while wishing him all the best. “This I can absolutely be ok with. It’s safe to say we all want him to look after himself,” another added, while someone else called on the event organizers to discount people with three-day passes.
Dyke was present at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards earlier this month with his wife, Arlene Silver. There, he received the award for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) for his 2023 birthday special, Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, on which Arlene worked as an executive producer.
At the event, he was grateful to have made people laugh in the past 75 years and advised upcoming creatives to remain patient and confident. Dyke also set a record as the oldest Daytime Emmy winner a month ago, after winning best guest performer in a daytime drama series for Days of Our Lives.