Dick Van Dyke Cancels Utah Appearance After Missing 2024 Emmys
At 98, the legendary star of Mary Poppins and The Dick Van Dyke Show, actor Dick Van Dyke has pulled out of his scheduled appearance at the FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, just days after he did not show up at the 2024 Emmy Awards, where he was supposed to present.
According to an announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter and Facebook by FanX on September 21, he will not be attending. Dick was supposed to appear from September 26 to 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 organizers wrote in a statement.
Dick, who attended the convention back in 2017, has been a fan favorite for decades. A statement appeared on the event’s website, stating that refunds or alternatives would be offered to those who had purchased photo ops with the actor.
Though the actor did not attend the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 15, he does have a reason to celebrate, nonetheless. His 2023 birthday special, Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic, won Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The actor was present during the said ceremony and was accompanied by his wife Arlene Silver, who executive produced the special.
Speaking to reporters in the press room following his win, a beaming Dick reflected on a legacy few, if any, can match. His hope, as he shared, is to be remembered “for making people laugh for 75 years.”
Asked to impart wisdom to his younger peers, he urged patience and persistence. “You have to stick with it,” he counseled. “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’s recent Emmy win comes on the heels of another record-breaking moment for the storied actor. Back in June, he became the oldest person to ever take home a Daytime Emmy Award when he went home with Best Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series. He went home with it thanks to his Days of Our Lives role as Timothy Robicheaux, a soap opera he ended up joining because of his long-time friend Drake Hogestyn, who plays John Black.
Speaking of the honor, the veteran said to PEOPLE, “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.”
He added, “It’s exciting, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with the entire daytime television community.”
About to celebrate his 99th birthday, Dick is still confident in his talent, humor, and wisdom and is a continued inspiration to both fans and performers alike.
