Dick Van Dyke cancels public appearance after missing Emmy Awards: 'More than he is able to do at this time'

Dick Van Dyke has cancelled a planned public appearance just a week after missing the Emmy Awards, where he was scheduled to present an award during the ceremony.

The 98-year-old TV legend pulled out of attending The FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention days before he was set to mingle with thousands of people.

"We are sorry to announce that Dick Van Dyke is not able to travel to FanX," organisers announced on social media.

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"He expresses his gratitude to all of those who support him but, at almost 99 years of age, travelling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time."

Van Dyke was set to join other big names including Aussie actor Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis at the three-day Utah convention.

In the hours following the announcement, the Hollywood actor spoke briefly to photographers in Malibu, California, on Monday (Tuesday AEST), who asked how he was feeling amid the cancelled public appearances.

"I'm pretty old," he replied as he walked across a carpark aided by a cane, in a video published by Page Six.

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When asked about his plans for his upcoming 99th birthday, the comedian jokingly replied: "Just praying that I make it".

While the entertainer skipped the prime-time Emmys on September 16, he attended the Creative Arts Emmys two weeks earlier.

There, he took to the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Variety Special (pre-recorded), which he won for the 2023 special, Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, which coincided with his December birthday.

Beloved for his roles in movies including Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the actor and comedian joked that he was "looking for work, if anybody has", before reflecting on his long career.

"I've been in the business 75 years. I can't believe that I'm still here and performing," he said.

Earlier in the year, the 98-year-old became the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy after taking home a trophy for a guest appearance in Days of Our Lives.

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