Dick Van Dyke, 98, Cancels Fan Convention Appearance After Missing Emmys: ‘More Than He Is Able to Do’

The announcement comes days after the legendary actor was absent from the 2024 Emmy Awards, where he was scheduled to be a presenter

Dick Van Dyke has canceled a public appearance in Utah days after being absent from the 2024 Emmy Awards, where he was scheduled to be a presenter.

The FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention announced in a statement posted on X and Facebook on Saturday, Sept. 21, that the legendary actor, 98, would be absent from the upcoming event. The convention will take place from Thursday, Sept. 26, to Saturday, Sept. 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 statement reads.

According to the convention's website, event-goers who purchased a photo op with the esteemed actor, who attended the convention in 2017, can upgrade or swap their photo ops with another guest appearing at the show or request a refund.

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PEOPLE has reached out to Van Dyke's representative for comment.

While the legendary performer missed out on the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, he was present when his 2023 birthday special, Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, took home the win for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Van Dyke attended the Saturday, Sept. 7 event with his wife, Arlene Silver, who was an executive producer on the project.

Related: Dick Van Dyke Busts a Move as His 98th Birthday Special Takes Home Creative Arts Emmy: 'I Can't Believe It'

He proudly spoke with reporters in the press room, expressing that he hopes to be remembered "for making people laugh for 75 years" and offered advice to upcoming actors.

"You have to stick with it," he said. "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."

Related: Celebrities Over 90 Years Old, Then and Now

The win occurred months after he became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner. He won best guest performer in a daytime drama series for starring as Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives in June.

"This nomination is very exciting; after all, it took me 75 years and my pal Drake Hogestyn to get on a soap opera! He is really the reason this happened and deserves the credit and thanks," he shared with PEOPLE in an exclusive statement days before his big win. Hogestyn, 70, has played John Black on the long-running soap for decades.

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"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," Van Dyke's statement continued. "I'm so honored and it will be a fun night celebrating with the entire daytime television community."

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