Dick Van Dyke has been on the Hollywood scene for so long that you may excuse him for remaining at home—he’s almost 99!

Concerns were raised for the legendary Chitty Chitty Bang Bang actor after he failed to attend the Primetime Emmys just a few weeks ago on September 9, despite being scheduled to give one of the trophies.

The 98-year-old, five-time Emmy Award winner, has finally spoken out after his health forced him to cancel several public events that he couldn’t complete.

On Monday (September 23), a photographer saw him exiting a drugstore in Malibu, a seaside community west of Los Angeles, California.

He made a statement on the same day about his planned attendance at a FanX event in Salt Lake City, Utah, from Thursday (September 26) to Saturday (September 28).

The producers of the comic-con-style expo wrote: “We regret to inform you that Dick Van Dyke is unable to attend FanX at this time.

“He thanks everyone who supports him, but at almost 99, traveling and meeting thousands of people is too much for him.”

When a photographer asked Van Dyke how he was doing yesterday (September 23), he replied, “I feel old!”.

When asked how he plans to celebrate his 99th birthday on December 13 this year, the comic said that he is ‘just hoping that I make it’.

While he has struggled to make two appearances at events this year, the iconic actor did attend the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 7, indicating that he still has some strength!
The Mary Poppins star clutched an Emmy award from his chair after Dick Van Dyke’s 98 Years of Magic, a CBS special, won the Outstanding Variety Special category.

While holding the trophy, he was unable to add to his five Primetime Emmys, which had already gone to the show’s producers.

However, it demonstrated how popular he is in the entertainment industry.

Nonetheless, earlier this year, he became the oldest Daytime Emmy Award recipient in history.

When he accepted his medal during the ceremony in June, he stated, “I am 98 years old.” Can you believe it? This marks the culmination of an 80-year career in business.

“If I had known I would have lived this long, I would’ve taken better care of myself.”