Richard Dreyfuss Pulls Out of SharkCon Due to Health Scare

Hollywood icon Richard Dreyfuss had to miss out on the 2025 SharkCon event in Florida due to viral bronchitis that landed him in the hospital. The 77-year-old Jaws star was expected to be a part of the annual gathering at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall Grounds, but he had to share a video message on the convention’s Instagram account to break the news. In the video, while lying in a hospital bed and covered with a special 50th-anniversary Jaws blanket, Dreyfuss explained his absence by revealing his lung infection diagnosis. He apologized to SharkCon attendees, expressing his disappointment for not being able to attend due to his health condition.

Dreyfuss’s wife, Svetlana Erokhin, assisted him off-camera, reminding him about his bronchitis diagnosis. The star shared that his doctors advised him against flying to the event in Florida to avoid getting sicker and potentially infecting others. He regretfully mentioned, “I don’t want to get anyone else sick, and I don’t want to get sicker myself.”

Bronchitis, an inflammatory condition of the airways that causes discomfort and difficulty breathing, comes with symptoms like a persistent cough, fatigue, and wheezing. Dreyfuss had to cancel his planned appearances at the convention, where he was scheduled to meet fans for solo photo ops. The event, sponsored by National Geographic, includes various shark-related exhibits and activities for attendees.

Last year, Dreyfuss faced criticism for his behavior during a Jaws screening event, where he was accused of using inappropriate language. The venue where the screening took place later issued an apology for the incident. Despite this, Dreyfuss continues to be celebrated for his role in Jaws and his illustrious acting career.

Fans who prepaid for autographs and photo opportunities were assured that refunds would be processed automatically, and there was no need to reach out for inquiries. The convention will proceed with its other scheduled activities, highlighting the 50th anniversary of the iconic film Jaws, where Dreyfuss played the role of marine biologist Matt Hooper alongside co-stars Carla Hogendyk, Jeffrey Voorhees, and the Searle brothers.