Dick Van Dyke speaks out after cancelling public appearances – NBC4 Washington

Originally appeared in E! Online

Dick Van Dyke remains positive after fans’ concerns about his health.

After canceling recent public appearances, the 98-year-old stepped out in Malibu on September 23 and spoke to a photographer about how he is doing.

“I feel old,” Van Dyke joked while smiling in a video obtained by The celebrity.landand added that he is “praying to make it” to his 99th birthday in December.

Hours before his Malibu appearance, Van Dyke pulled out of a fan event in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 26-28, raising questions about “Mary Poppins“the health of the star.

“We regret to announce that Dick Van Dyke is unable to travel to FanX at this time,” he said. Statement on the FanX event website “He expresses his gratitude to all those who continue to support him, but at almost 99 years old, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he can handle at the moment.”

Fans began to worry about the “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” star after he jumped he Emmy Awards 2024 on September 15, despite having been announced as a presenter at the ceremony.

No reason was given for his absence, and all seemed well the week before, when Van Dyke made a special public appearance during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony on Sept. 7. At the event, “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic,” a documentary about his life and career, won the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).

Following the win, the TV legend spoke to reporters about his life and shared that he hopes to be remembered for “making people laugh for 75 years.”

“I don’t know how I did it!” Van Dyke said. “I can’t believe I’m still here and performing,” before joking: “I’m looking for work, if anyone has one!”

Dick Van Dyke is killing the phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”