Dick Van Dyke, 98, skips fan convention after missing the Emmys

Dick Van Dyke has canceled a public appearance in Utah, days after missing the 2024 Emmy Awards, where he was scheduled to host.

The FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention announced in a statement posted on X and Facebook on Saturday, September 21, that the legendary, 98-year-old actor would not be present at the upcoming event. The convention takes place from Thursday, September 26, to Saturday, September 28.

“We regret to announce that Dick Van Dyke will not be able to travel to FanX. He would like to express his gratitude to all those who support him, but at nearly 99 years old, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he can do at this time,” the statement said.

According to the convention's website, event-goers who booked a photoshoot with the esteemed actor, who attended the 2017 convention, can upgrade or swap their photoshoot with another guest at the show or request a refund.

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

Although the legendary artist missed the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 15, he was in attendance for his 2023 birthday special. Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magictook home the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Prerecorded) at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

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

Speaking proudly to reporters in the press room, he expressed that he hoped he would be remembered “for making people laugh for 75 years” and offered advice to aspiring actors.

“You have to stick with it,” he said. “There will be tough times and a lot of auditions… but you have to stick with it. If you have the confidence, you have patience, and it's very important to believe that you can do it.”

The win came months after he became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner, winning Outstanding Guest Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his role as Timothy Robicheaux in Time of longing in June.

“This nomination is very exciting; after all, it took my buddy Drake Hogestyn and I 75 years to get on a soap opera! He is the real reason this happened and deserves recognition and thanks,” he told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement a few days before his big win. Hogestyn, 70, has played John Black on the long-running soap opera for decades.

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“This is a very special honor for me. I rarely get recognized for dramatic or serious acting – comedy and musicals are my specialty, after all,” Van Dyke's statement continued. “I am so honored and it will be a great evening celebrating with the entire daytime television community.”