Latest news with #RichardDreyfuss
Axios
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
At 50, "Jaws" still gobbles up tourist dollars
The 50th anniversary of "Jaws" is making this summer season a little more special, with nostalgia for the blockbuster fueling events and promotions on Martha's Vineyard and around Cape Cod. Why it matters:"Jaws" continues to generate economic waves across Massachusetts, showing that anniversary marketing efforts from a huge movie studio down to local pubs can turn nostalgia into a measurable tourism boost. State of play: The half-century birthday of Spielberg's classic brought all sorts of cinematic shark hunters to the island to seek out filming locations and anniversary events. Merchandise sales have surged and film fans who've never come to the Cape or Islands before are soaking up the resort vibes. Zoom in: Martha's Vineyard, where much of the film was shot, was the epicenter of the celebration with Amity Week in late June to coincide with the film's release date. There were themed events, cast reunions featuring Richard Dreyfuss at Edgartown's Wharf Pub, a dog costume meetup and even a live score performance by the Cape Symphony. Practically every eatery in the area had some kind of shark-themed promotion. The local Chamber of Commerce printed up maps with shooting locations for fans to see firsthand the estuary where Chief Brody's son almost got chomped and where young Alex Kintner was straight-up eaten. What they're saying:"What we do know is that hotel occupancy was at 99% for 'Jaws' weekend, which is a strong early indicator" of a business boost, Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce executive director Erica Ashton told Axios. Ashton is waiting for more data from the island's airport and ferry operators to size up the impact "Jaws" has already had on this season's tourism to the Vineyard. Few local companies have capitalized on their "Jaws " connection quite like Rhode Island's Narragansett Beer with its "Crush it Like Quint" limited-edition cans. Vineyard confectioner Murdick's Fudge created special treats that look like they've been attacked by a shark. Even the Massachusetts Lottery got in on the fun with a "Jaws" -themed scratch ticket with a $1 million top prize. And Universal Pictures isn't letting the anniversary go unnoticed. The studio re-released the film in IMAX and 4K formats nationwide. Martha's Vineyard Museum's"Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive" exhibition runs through Sept. 7. "Part of our exhibit about 'Jaws' is a room devoted to teaching people more about sharks as a species, and efforts to understand them, protect them," museum research librarian Van Riper told USA Today.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
4 dead after contracting 'flesh-eating bacteria' in Florida this year
The bacteria led to deaths in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns counties, the Florida Department of Health said. Four people are dead, and more than half a dozen are sick, after contracting a rare "flesh-eating bacteria" in Florida this year, state health officials confirmed. The Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, found in saltwater, brackish water and inside raw or undercooked seafood, led to deaths in Bay, Broward, Hillsborough and St. Johns counties, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). So far in 2025, 11 people contracted Vibrio vulnificus across Florida, with four dying and seven becoming ill, the FDOH reported on July 11. The FDOH did not specify the source of the new cases or say where the ill contracted the bacteria. Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium that lives in warm, brackish seawater. It's created when fresh water from a river or lake meets seawater, and people contract Vibrio vulnificus by swallowing water with it or getting it in a wound, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last year in the Sunshine State, there were a record 82 cases and 19 deaths, most of them after October when large areas of the state were flooded by back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton. Vibrio vulnificus requires brackish saltwater to spread. USA TODAY contacted the CDC on Tuesday, July 15, to see whether people had contracted what it says media reports described as a "flesh-eating bacteria" in other states this year, but has not received a response Arizona accident: Therapist dies after hyperbaric oxygen chamber catches fire What is Vibrio vulnificus? Vibrios are bacteria that live in coastal waters, according to the CDC, and some Vibrio species, including Vibrio vulnificus, can cause severe and life-threatening infections. Infections are rare, according to the CDC. Nearly 80,000 people get vibrio infections each year, and about 100 people die from the infection annually in the U.S, the CDC says. 'Jaws' star Richard Dreyfuss sits out fan convention after viral bronchitis diagnosis Why is it called 'flesh-eating' bacteria? Vibrio vulnificus kills, but does not eat tissue. The bacteria cannot penetrate unharmed skin, but can enter through an existing break in it. If the bacteria enter the body through a cut or wound, they can cause necrotizing fasciitis, and the flesh around the infection site dies. The infected may need intensive care or limb amputations, according to the CDC, and about one in five who get the infection die, sometimes within 24 hours of becoming sick. Health officials warned people with fresh cuts or scrapes not to enter warm, brackish water because the bacteria can enter the body and cause an infection. Contributing: Gabe Hauari and Mike Snider/ USA TODAY Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Jaws' star Richard Dreyfuss forced to skip anticipated fan event due to severe diagnosis
Richard Dreyfuss has opted out of a fan event due to a severe case of bronchitis. On Friday, the "Jaws" star, 77, took to social media to share a message with his fans ahead of SharkCon in Tampa, Florida and express his disappointment over the diagnosis. 'Hello fellow cons," Dreyfuss said in a video posted to SharkCon's Instagram account. "I am very, very sorry to tell you that I've been diagnosed with, viral, er…What is it?" "Bronchitis," Dreyfuss' wife, Svetlana Erokhin, answered off-camera. RICHARD DREYFUSS UPSETS FANS WITH GENDER COMMENTS AT 'JAWS' EVENT "I've been told by my doctors I cannot fly and I would have to fly five hours to get there. I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there, and I had been looking forward to it, but I am unable to do so. I don't want to get anyone else sick, and I don't want to get sicker myself." "I feel terrible about not showing up, and I feel worse about exposing you to this apparently very viral illness," Dreyfuss continued. "But there will be other times and I will make it my business to show up." APP USERS CLICK TO VIEW POST View this post on Instagram A post shared by SharkCon (@shark_con) Dreyfuss joked that he hopes all his fans " feel very sorry for me, and very sorry for yourselves." "I'm in a lot of pain and that has to come first, my health," he stated. "I feel very good about having the time and enough health." "And such great fans!" his wife added. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "We love you, we miss you all, and we will see you soon," Erokhin also said. In the caption, SharkCon wrote, "All prepaid autographs and photo ops will automatically be refunded. There is no reason to reach out. It will take 5-10 business days plus what your bank takes for them to be processed. We are so sorry for any inconvenience. Thank you." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A representative for Dreyfuss did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Jaws' star Richard Dreyfuss cancels SharkCon appearance amid severe illness
'Jaws' star Richard Dreyfuss dropped out of an appearance at a fan convention over the weekend after coming down with viral bronchitis that appeared to require hospitalization. The 77-year-old actor was expected at SharkCon, an event hosted by National Geographic in Tampa, that took place July 12 and 13. In a video posted on the SharkCon Instagram page, Dreyfuss — in what appears to be a hospital bed and draped in a 'Jaws' blanket — announces he is too sick to travel. 'Hello cons, I'm very, very sorry to tell you that I've been diagnosed with viral bronchitis,' he said in the video. 'And I've been told by my doctors I cannot fly, and I would have to fly five hours to get there. I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there and had been looking forward to it.' Dreyfuss 'didn't want to get anyone else sick' and didn't 'want to get sicker myself,' he added. 'I feel terrible about not showing up, and I'd feel worse about exposing you to this apparently very viral illness,' he continued. 'But there will be other times and I will make it my business to show up and I want to wish you all good luck and happiness.' 'I want you all to feel very sorry for me,' Dreyfuss quipped. 'And very sorry for yourselves. I'm in a lot of pain, and that has to come first, my health, and I feel very good about having the time and enough health.' SharkCon said in a statement that any fans who paid upfront for autographs or photos with Dreyfuss would receive automatic refunds. Panels for 'Jaws' and 'Jaws 2' went on as scheduled. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster, which also starred Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw as a ragtag group trying to hunt a great white shark terrorizing a New England beach town. _______
Toronto Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Richard Dreyfuss cancels appearance after being hospitalized for 'very viral illness'
'I'm in a lot of pain and that has to come first, my health. I feel very good about having the time and enough health.' Richard Dreyfuss tucked under blanket while lying in hospital bed. Photo by @shark_con / Instagram Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Richard Dreyfuss was forced to disappoint fans at SharkCon over the weekend due to a 'very viral illness.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Jaws star, 77, issued a statement on Friday from his hospital bed, explaining why he would be missing the annual event held this year at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo in Tampa. 'Hello, fellow cons. I am very, very sorry to tell you that Ive (sic) been diagnosed with viral…' he began in a video posted to SharkCon's Instagram account, before trailing off as his wife, Svetlana Erokhin, is heard saying offscreen 'bronchitis.' The Oscar winner, tucked in the bed with a Jaws blanket, continued: 'I've been told by my doctors I cannot fly, and I would have to fly five hours to get (to SharkCon).' The Mr. Holland's Opus star added: 'I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there and had been looking forward to it but I'm unable to do so. 'I don't want to get anyone else sick, and I don't want to get sicker myself. I feel terrible about not showing up, and I'd feel worse about exposing you to this, apparently, very viral illness.' In the caption, convention organizers noted that refunds would be issued for those who pre-paid for autographs and photo-ops with the actor. Dreyfuss promised that 'there will be other times, and I will make it my business to show up.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He added with a smile: 'And I want to wish you all good luck and happiness, and I want you all to feel very sorry for me, and very sorry for yourselves. Dreyfuss then said: 'I'm in a lot of pain and that has to come first, my health. I feel very good about having the time and enough health.' 'And such great fans,' his wife is heard adding, which Dreyfuss repeats with a smile. Erokhin adds: 'We love you, we miss you all, and we will see you soon,' to which the actor agreed. 'Happy health, happy con, bye.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Dreyfuss played Hooper in the award-winning film directed by Steven Spielberg, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. SharkCon 2025, which is sponsored by National Geographic, gathers marine biologists and other experts, scuba professionals, shark enthusiasts, vendors, and creatives whose work touches on all things shark for a weekend 'dedicated to raising awareness about shark and ocean conservation,' according to the event's website. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Much of the convention was devoted to celebrating the 1975 movie's milestone. Read More Other Jaws alums who attended SharkCon included Jeffrey Voorhees, Jonathan Searle, Steven Searle, and Carla Hogendyk, along with actors from its sequels, Jaws 2 and Jaws 3-D. Based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Peter Benchley, Jaws follows Dreyfuss' marine biologist character, Roy Scheider's police chief Martin Brody, and Robert Shaw's shark hunter Quint as they hunted a great white shark terrorizing a fictional New England resort town. World Golf Editorial Cartoons Uncategorized Toronto & GTA
