‘Jaws' Legend Suddenly Cancels Rare Reunion Appearance for 1975 No. 1 Movie
Richard Dreyfuss will be a no-show at The Hollywood Show. The legendary actor revealed he will not attend the highly anticipated Jaws reunion at the fanfest, which takes place next week at the Burbank Airport Hotel in Burbank, California.
Dreyfuss, 78, shared the bad news with fans on Instagram on May 22, writing, "It truly breaks my heart that I won't be able to attend the reunion at The Hollywood Show May 29th & 30th. Please know this was never the outcome I hoped for. Due to circumstances completely beyond my control, it has become impossible for me to be there in person."
"My heart is absolutely with my fellow cast members who will be attending," the actor added. "Sharing this journey with them has been one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I know they'll make this celebration unforgettable."
Dreyfuss also thanked all of the Jaws cast, organizers, and fans for making the reunion possible. "While I may not be there physically, I'll certainly be there in spirit," he wrote. "I hope the weekend is filled with laughter, memories, celebration, and the kind of joy this fandom has always created so beautifully."
Dreyfuss played marine biologist Matt Hooper in Jaws, which was the No. 1 movie when it was released in June 1975.
More than 50 years later, The Hollywood Show was set to feature "the largest reunion of the classic film's cast" ever, according to ReMind magazine, with Dreyfuss, Carl Gottlieb, Ted Grossman, Carla Hogendyk, Robert Tanenbaum, Joe Alves, Jeffrey Voorhees, Greg Dole, Jeffery Kramer, Dennis Prince, and Jonathan and Steven Searle.
Dreyfuss's Hollywood Show cancellation comes less than a year after he was forced to opt out of another Jaws-themed event tied to the film's 50th anniversary. In July 2025, the actor canceled his appearance at SharkCon after he fell ill. In a message to fans, Dreyfuss shared that he was diagnosed with viral bronchitis and was told by doctors he would not be allowed to fly the five hours to the fan event in Tampa, Florida, People magazine reported at the time.
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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 4:04 AM.