'Jaws' star Richard Dreyfuss sits out fan convention after viral bronchitis diagnosis

USA Today

a day ago

Richard Dreyfuss may have survived a killer shark, but he isn't superhuman.
The Oscar-winning actor, beloved for his leading role in the marine horror "Jaws," was forced to sit out an appearance at a shark-themed fan convention on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, after falling ill.
In a July 11 Instagram post, SharkCon 2025, a two-day event sponsored by National Geographic, shared a video message from Dreyfuss, in which he informed fans he wouldn't be able to attend the Tampa, Florida, event due to a case of viral bronchitis.
"I've been told by my doctors I cannot fly, and I would have to fly five hours to get there," Dreyfuss, 77, said. "I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there and had been looking forward to it."
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USA TODAY has reached out to representatives of Dreyfuss for comment.
SharkCon said in a statement alongside the post that all prepaid autographs and photo ops with Dreyfuss would be automatically refunded to fans. Explaining his absence, Dreyfuss said he didn't "want to get anyone else sick" or worsen his own condition.
"I feel terrible about not showing up, and I'd feel worse about exposing you to this apparently very viral illness," Dreyfuss said. "But there will be other times, and I will make it my business to show up, and I want to wish you all good luck and happiness."
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Viral bronchitis, also known as acute bronchitis, is a type of respiratory illness that is typically caused by a viral infection, such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, rhinovirus (common cold) and coronavirus, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The illness normally goes away on its own in a few weeks, per the Cleveland Clinic, and most individuals don't require extensive treatment. Symptoms often include persistent cough and wheezing, as well as shortness of breath, fever, runny nose and fatigue.
"I want you all to feel very sorry for me and very sorry for yourselves," Dreyfuss jokingly added. "I'm in a lot of pain, and that has to come first – my health – and I feel very good about having the time and enough health."
Dreyfuss starred as marine biologist Matt Hooper in "Jaws," the 1975 thriller about a New England police chief (Roy Scheider) who teams up with Hooper and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) to take down a vicious great white shark attacking beachgoers.
The Steven Spielberg-directed film earned a whopping $260.7 million at the global box office and is widely regarded as the first summer blockbuster. In a 2024 interview with the USA TODAY Network, Dreyfuss reflected that he thought the movie was "going to be a disaster," due to various production issues that included delays, cost overruns and mechanical problems.
"I couldn't imagine how Steven was going to overcome all of the problems that he faced every day," Dreyfuss said. "I know I went on at least one talk show where I said this is a total disaster. And then I went back on that same show and pronounced myself the stupidest actor in America. When I saw the film all put together, I realized I was a jerk."
Contributing: Jim Beckerman, NorthJersey.com