Dick Van Dyke, 99, sparks concern as he drops out of event last-minute due to illness

Dick Van Dyke sparked concern after dropping out of an event last-minute due to illness.

The 99-year-old entertainer was scheduled to co-host his musical charity event, Vandy Camp, with his wife Arlene Silver on Saturday. Unfortunately, he had to call off his participation at the last minute.

Arlene Silver, aged 53, broke the news to the audience at the Arlene & Dick Van Dyke Theater located at Malibu High School. She shared that the legendary actor, a Tony award winner, was not feeling well that day.

During her speech, she began by telling the audience that she is ‘not the Van Dyke you’re expecting,’ per People.

‘I have to inform you that Dick is not up to coming to celebrate with us today,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry.’

This comes just weeks after the silver screen icon revealed what the ‘curse’ of living to almost 100 is.

Dick Van Dyke sparked concern after dropping out of an event last-minute due to illness; pictured December 2024

Dick Van Dyke sparked concern after dropping out of an event last-minute due to illness; pictured December 2024

The makeup artist continued: ‘When you’re 99-and-a-half years old, you have good days and bad days. 

‘And unfortunately, today is not a good day for him, and he’s sick that he can’t be here,’ she added.

However, Van Dyke did still make an appearance on a livestream on the same day. 

Silver said that she was ‘pretty confident’ that Van Dyke would be at the next Vandy Camp event ‘in person.’ 

In her address, she emphasized her husband’s deep commitment to Vandy Camp, highlighting that the event is more than just about the famous Dick Van Dyke.

She explained: ‘It is a celebration of your childhood, all of our childhoods, the music that’s in the fabric of all of us, [and] Dick Van Dyke is a big part of that.’ 

She also gushed about his fans, adding that his supporters ‘are the greatest human beings I’ve ever known.’ 

‘These Vandy Camp [events] are a wonderful opportunity to have you all in the same room and meet each other.’ 

The 99-year-old actor was supposed to host his musical fundraising event, Vandy Camp, on Saturday alongside his wife Arlene Silver but had to cancel his appearance last minute; pictured April in Malibu

The 99-year-old actor was supposed to host his musical fundraising event, Vandy Camp, on Saturday alongside his wife Arlene Silver but had to cancel his appearance last minute; pictured April in Malibu

His wife, 53, announced the news to those in attendance at the Arlene & Dick Van Dyke Theater at Malibu High School and explained that the Tony-winning star was not having a 'good day'; pictured June 2024 in Los Angeles

His wife, 53, announced the news to those in attendance at the Arlene & Dick Van Dyke Theater at Malibu High School and explained that the Tony-winning star was not having a ‘good day’; pictured June 2024 in Los Angeles

During her speech, she began by telling the audience that she is 'not the Van Dyke you're expecting'; pictured June 2024 in Los Angeles

During her speech, she began by telling the audience that she is ‘not the Van Dyke you’re expecting’; pictured June 2024 in Los Angeles

Silver then gushed about her husband of 13 years, with whom she shares a 46-year age gap. 

She said that ‘being around him just as a human being has made me a better person.’ 

She also praised the star and their musical group, an a cappella quartet the Vantastix, for giving her ‘so much confidence to be able to stand up here right now.’ 

She suggested that she felt out of her ‘comfort zone’ without him since she said Van Dyke was her ‘safety net.’

‘I would never be able to do this maybe, like, a year ago, but I’ve had so many experiences pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and right now I’m out of my comfort zone.’ 

She added: ‘But I have to wear my big girl pants and hold the reins without Dick here as the safety net that he’s always here with me.’ 

The Mary Poppins star and the makeup artist met at the SAG Awards in 2006 and later tied the knot six years later. 

Last month, the movie star opened up about the reality of living to be a nonagenarian. 

Silver then gushed about her husband of 13 years, with whom she shares a 46-year age gap. She suggested that she felt out of her 'comfort zone' without him since she said Van Dyke was her 'safety net'; pictured June 2024 in Hollywood

Silver then gushed about her husband of 13 years, with whom she shares a 46-year age gap. She suggested that she felt out of her ‘comfort zone’ without him since she said Van Dyke was her ‘safety net’; pictured June 2024 in Hollywood

Last month, the movie star opened up about the reality of living to be a nonagenarian. The curse of living until nearly 100 is 'outliving everybody,' he said in an interview with his wife; pictured June 2024 in Los Angeles

Last month, the movie star opened up about the reality of living to be a nonagenarian. The curse of living until nearly 100 is ‘outliving everybody,’ he said in an interview with his wife; pictured June 2024 in Los Angeles

When asked by his significant other what the secret to remaining positive is despite his losses, Van Dyke, who turns 100 in December, answered, 'Well, life's been good to me. I can't complain'; pictured September 2024 in Los Angeles

When asked by his significant other what the secret to remaining positive is despite his losses, Van Dyke, who turns 100 in December, answered, ‘Well, life’s been good to me. I can’t complain’; pictured September 2024 in Los Angeles

He reflected on his long life during a Q&A at one of their Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp event several weeks ago. 

During the conversation, Dick revealed he and his late friend Ed Asner had planned to do a remake of The Odd Couple before his death at age 91 in August 2021. 

‘That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it. I’ve lost a lot of friends,’ the actor noted, according to an account from People. 

His wife added: ‘He’s outlived everybody. That’s the curse of living to almost 100.’ 

When asked by his significant other what the secret to remaining positive is despite his losses, he answered, ‘Well, life’s been good to me. I can’t complain.’ 

Van Dyke, who turns 100 in December, said he continues to perform at his age because it energizes him. ‘I’m a ham. I love it. I get a jolt of energy from an audience.’

You May Also Like
Guilty Plea in $550 Million USAID Fraud and Bribery Case Highlights an Urgent Need for Change

Rubio to Replace USAID with Focus on Trade and Improvement of Foreign Aid

Since President Donald Trump assumed office in January, there has been a…
‘Dancing With The Stars’ Adds ‘Mormon Wives’ Stars Whitney Leavitt And Jen Affleck To Season 34

Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck from ‘Mormon Wives’ Join Season 34 of ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Two Mormon women who were featured in the show “Secret Lives of…
Man arrested for deadly immigrant smuggling operation that killed Romanian family of four and his own brother

Individual detained for lethal transportation of immigrants causing death of four-member Romanian family and sibling

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An individual who is…
Students dub South Jersey Teacher the "World's Strongest Teacher"

Students name teacher from South Jersey the “Strongest Teacher in the World”

Bob Merkh, a 41-year-old social studies teacher at Upper Township Middle School…
'Project Runway' Season 20 returns July 31 with Heidi Klum, Law Roach & 12 designers competing

“Get ready for ‘Project Runway’ Season 20 featuring Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and 12 talented designers – premieres on July 31!”

The fashion competition returns with Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and more of…
American tourist vanishes in tropical paradise after early morning walk from vacation rental

An American tourist disappears in a tropical paradise after going for a walk early in the morning from their vacation accommodation.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A man from Monroe,…
A leafy capital known for scorching summers faces 'mass abandonment' over new deadly flooding threat

City with hot summers and many trees faces ‘mass exodus’ due to new deadly flooding risk

Sacramento could lose more than a quarter of its population by 2055 ,…
DHS slams 'bizarre tale' about activist allegedly kidnapped by bounty hunters

Department of Homeland Security criticizes ‘strange story’ of activist reportedly abducted by bounty hunters

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Department of Homeland…
On Met Gala's eve, the People's Ball struts in the spotlight

The People’s Ball shines before the Met Gala

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Brooklyn — It’s became a yearly tradition, and 2025 did…
Russia claims gains in Ukraine as US attention focuses on Iran war

Russia reports progress in Ukraine while US shifts focus to potential conflict with Iran

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Russia stated on Monday…
Pamela Anderson delivers ultimate insult to singer Lorde over 'creepy' fascination with her sex tape

Pamela Anderson insults singer Lorde for showing interest in her sex tape, calling it ‘creepy’

Lorde faced strong criticism when she mentioned in a Rolling Stone interview…
Supermarket heir, 62, dies of 'natural causes' at stunning $1.3m mansion

62-year-old supermarket heir passes away from natural causes at luxurious $1.3 million mansion

A local supermarket heir has died at just 62 years old from…