Hollywood icon ‘praying to survive the year’

Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke has shared a heartbreaking confession about his health after being forced to cancel an appearance at the Emmys.

Dick Van Dyke has confessed that he hopes to manage to survive long enough to see the rest of the year.

The Mary Poppins legend, 98, briefly stopped to chat with paparazzi after being escorted to his car by a helper after running errands in Malibu on Monday.

It marked his first public appearance since he was forced to miss out on the 2024 Emmys on Sunday night, despite previously being announced as a presenter for the ceremony.

When asked if he had plans for his forthcoming birthday in December, the star turned and responded: “I’m just praying that I make it.”

Dick Van Dyke has shared that he hopes that he manages to stay alive long enough to see his next birthday. Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images.

“I’m pretty old,” he added.

Most recently, the star cancelled an appearance at the FanX event in Salt Lake City, Utah, scheduled for September 26, sparking concerns among fans about his health and wellbeing.

“He expresses his gratitude to all of those who continue to 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,” event planners announced.

Van Dyke made his latest public appearance on September 7 at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys, where his CBS special, Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, won for Outstanding Variety Special. The Mary Poppins star took pictures sitting in a chair with an Emmy statue in his hand. He wore a black suit with a white dress shirt and black bow tie.

The Hollywood icon was forced to cancel an appearance at the Emmys last week. Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision.

The special, which aired in December, featured archival footage and live performances of songs from Van Dyke’s remarkable career.

While speaking to reporters at the Creative Arts Emmys, Van Dyke said that he wants to be remembered “for laughter.”

“Hopefully for making people laugh for 75 years,” he added. “I’ve been in the business for 75 years, I can’t believe it that I’m still here and performing! I’m looking for work if anyone’s interested.”

In June, Van Dyke made history when he became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner. He took home a trophy for guest performance in a daytime drama series for his part as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives.

Meanwhile, earlier this year the beloved actor gushed over his spouse of 12 years, saying that they were “meant to be” during a chat with Entertainment Tonight.

Actor Dick Van Dyke, right, and his partner, Arlene Silver. Photo: Matt Sayles.

“I never approached a strange woman in my life,” Van Dyke told the outlet as he sat next to his wife at the couple’s home. “And she walked by and I jumped and I said, ‘Hi, I’m Dick.’ I had no idea she was half my age. Beautiful.”

The couple met in 2006 while backstage at the SAG Awards. Van Dyke saw Silver while he was sitting on a couch.

After getting her business card and hiring Silver — who was working as a makeup artist — Van Dyke and Silver started their relationship as friends.

“We were friends for so long that when I told people that I know, they were happy about [our relationship], and I was scared,” Silver, 52, said.

“I mean, the facts, our age difference. But it’s so irrelevant. I think when you see us together, it’s like you don’t think about it,” she continued.

“I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s always happy and just positive. Always singing, and I would never sing in public.”

Originally published as Hollywood icon ‘praying to survive the year’