Dick Van Dyke jokes that he hopes to live to see his 99th birthday after missing several events

CNN
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Dick Van Dyke is 98 and feels it.

After the legendary comedian had to cancel a planned appearance at the recent Emmy Awards and an event in Utah, the New York Post caught up with Van Dyke as he left a Malibu pharmacy on Monday.

“I feel old,” they reported, a smiling Van Dyke said when asked how he was doing.

Regarding possible plans for his upcoming 99th birthday in December, the icon joked: “I just pray that I can make it.”

Van Dyke caused concern after skipping the Emmys despite previously being announced as a presenter, and on Monday it was announced that he would also not attend a three-day fan event in Salt Lake City, Utah, next weekend.

“He expresses his gratitude to all those who continue to support him, but at nearly 99 years old, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he can do at the moment,” he said in a statement about his resignation.

The “Mary Poppins” star has continued to work in recent years and, among other things, lent his voice to an episode of the animated series “The Simpsons” last year.