Dick Van Dyke jokes that he hopes he makes it to his 99th birthday in a few months after skipping out on the 2024 Emmy Awards.
The “Mary Poppins” star, 98, briefly stopped to chat with a paparazzo while being escorted to his car by a helper after running errands in Malibu, Calif., on Monday.
When asked if he had plans for his forthcoming birthday on Dec. 13, the comedian smiled and responded, “Just praying that I make it.”
The paparazzo also asked Van Dyke how he was doing as he walked to a back car using a cane.
“I’m pretty old,” he said.
The Emmy winner wore a baby blue polo and black pants for the outing. He carried a black shoulder bag with him.
Van Dyke’s sighting comes after he opted out of attending the Emmys at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles earlier this month.
His absence sparked concern over his health after the TV Academy confirmed he would be the presenter for the ceremony days before.
Most recently, the “Dick Van Dyke Show” star canceled an appearance at the FanX event in Salt Lake City, Utah, scheduled for Sept. 26 to 28.
“He expresses his gratitude to all of those who continue to support him but, at almost 99 years of age, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time,” event planners announced.
Van Dyke’s last public appearance was at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 7, where he accepted the Outstanding Variety Special award for his 2023 CBS special “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic.”
The “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” star attended the event alongside his wife, Arlene Silver, 53.
Silver, who was a makeup artist, and Van Dyke met at the 2006 SAG Awards.
The couple started as friends before their relationship turned romantic and they tied the knot in February 2012.
Van Dyke recently gushed over falling in love with Silver during an interview with “Entertainment Tonight” over the summer, saying they were “meant to be.”
