Celebrity Death Hoax

[GeneChing]

We have a thread on Jackie Chan Death Hoaxes (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69357-Jackie-Chan-Death-Hoaxes) because he's has so many and I thought we had one for Jet Li too but I can't find that now. Maybe it's embedded in some other thread. Here's another.


Chow Yun-Fat is NOT Dead (https://nextshark.com/chow-yun-fat-not-dead/)
By Bryan Ke Posted on December 6, 2017

https://nextshark-vxdsockgvw3ki.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/chowyunfat-e1512584389880.jpg

Many Chinese internet users were probably shocked when the rumor of Chow Yun-Fat’s demise began circulating on Chinese internet on Monday. Thankfully, the news has been officially debunked. As it turns out, this is nothing more than an internet celebrity death hoax.

Jasmine Tan, the wife of the 62-year-old actor, has debunked the claims and said that he is “as healthy as can be,” according to Taiwan’s Apple Daily via Channel News Asia.

It was extremely hard for many long-time fans to accept the rumor of the actor’s death when it surfaced on Weibo and WeChat on December 4.

https://nextshark-vxdsockgvw3ki.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Chow-Yun-Fat.jpg
Image via Apple Daily

The celebrity death hoax circulated on Chinese social media in the form of a photoshopped screenshot of a female news anchor delivering the supposed tragic news, Taiwan News reported. It showed a picture of Chow that was taken from the movie “God of Gamblers” and accompanied with a caption saying:

“Movie icon Chow Yun Fat has died of illness after failing to respond to medical treatment in Hong Kong.”

An unnamed news outlet even went to the extent of using a photo of legendary actor Jackie Chan along with Sammo Hung as pallbearers carrying Chow’s coffin, Coconuts Hong Kong reported. However, upon searching, it turns out that the picture was actually taken during the funeral of Hong Kong director, actor and producer, Wu Ma, in 2014.

https://nextshark-vxdsockgvw3ki.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Jackie-Chan.jpg
Image via Coconuts Hong Kong

After hearing the confirmation from the actor’s wife, many people breathed a sigh of relief knowing that their favorite actor, who is famously known for many films, including the “Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “The Killer”, is still alive and well.

Featured image via Wikimedia Commons / Sliceof (CC BY-SA 3.0)

I've never been clear on why this is even a thing to begin with. :o

[GeneChing]

This scared the crap out of me when I saw it this weekend, but I quickly realized it was fake when it was only coming from one sketchy source. What is up with Death Hoaxes anyway? Every time I hear one for Jackie (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69357-Jackie-Chan-Death-Hoaxes), I get ****ed off.


Danny Trejo Death Hoax (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/danny-trejo-passing/)
The popular Los Angeles-born actor did not suddenly pass away at age 74 in September 2018.

https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2018/09/trejo2.jpg?resize=865%2C452

CLAIM
Actor Danny Trejo has passed away at age 74.

RATING
https://us-east-1.tchyn.io/snopes-production/uploads/2018/03/rating-false.png
FALSE

ORIGIN
On 9 September 2018, the web site Your Daily News published an article headlined “Danny Trejo The Famous Native American Actor Dies at age 74”:

Curiously, however, the article text provided no details about the time or manner of Trejo’s alleged passing, nor even mentioned Trejo’s death — it simply provided a summary of the actor’s life and career:


Danny Trejo was born Dan Trejo in Echo Park, Los Angeles, to Alice (Rivera) and Dan Trejo, a construction worker… with his intimidating, tattooed, muscle-bound appearance, character actor Danny Trejo has formed a successful career as the all-purpose hard case over his curious and enduring cinematic career. Beating the odds of repeat offender syndrome after being released from prison, Trejo has risen through the ranks to find himself in high demand as an actor, and has even expanded his talents to include a producer credit to his resumé.

That lack of information is not surprising, because the article was a hoax — Danny Trejo is not dead and is still actively posting on social media:


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmcLGsZUYAEKW-k.jpg
View image on Twitter (https://twitter.com/officialDannyT/status/1037810841045745664/photo/1)

Danny Trejo
✔
@officialDannyT
Rest in peace Burt Reynolds. You were an icon and one of my heroes. -DT

2:12 PM - Sep 6, 2018
5,826
919 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
The only source reporting Trejo’s death in September 2018 was Your Daily News, a site which had only been active a very short time and as of this writing was no longer reachable.

Moreover, Trejo himself has previously been the subject of celebrity death hoax rumors (which he has personally disclaimed):


Danny Trejo
✔
@officialDannyT
DANNY TREJO IS NOT DEAD

9:30 PM - Nov 7, 2016
696
308 people are talking about this

THREADS
Man at Arms: Art of War (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70140-Man-at-Arms-Art-of-War-New-Original-Series-from-EL-REY-Network)
Celebrity Death Hoax (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70622-Celebrity-Death-Hoax)

[GeneChing]

Totally missed this one until now.


Thai action star Tony Jaa alive and kicking despite fake news of his demise (https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/thai-action-star-tony-jaa-alive%C2%A0and-kicking-despite-fake-news-his-demise%C2%A0)

https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/original_images/May2019/190527_tony-jaa_facebook.jpg
PHOTO: Facebook/Tony Jaa Official

THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
May 28, 2019

Tony Jaa, the internationally well-known Thai martial arts star, has confirmed he is alive and well, dismissing widespread rumours that he died during the shooting of a Hollywood movie in the United States on Saturday.

Tony, whose real name is Tachakorn Yeerum, told reporters in a telephone interview that he was well aware of the rumours of his death that had been spread on social-network platforms.

To prove he is alive and well, he posted a newly recorded video on his Facebook page under the headline: "A little message for my friends in Thailand". In the video clip, he denies rumours that he is dead, saying he is alive and kicking, and plans to make more films.

He is best known for his roles in "The Protector" and "Ong-Bak", which brought him international fame.

News of Tony's "death" had spread in both Thailand and other countries.

One Thai website reported Monday that the legendary action star was dead and that his body would be returned to his hometown in Surin province.

The website claimed that the actor had died during the final shoot of "Fast and Furious 9" after getting the director's go-ahead to leap about 10 metres from one rooftop to another at 11pm on Saturday.

He was reported to have fallen to his death while attempting the stunt.

The website even showed what was claimed to be the scene of the accident, including police yellow tape.

Another website, Mediamass, reported that rumours of the actor's alleged demise had gained traction on Saturday after an "R.I.P. Tony Jaa" Facebook page attracted nearly one million 'likes'.

Those who read the 'About' page were given a believable account of the Thai actor's passing:

"At about 11am ET on Saturday (May 25, 2019), our beloved actor Tony Jaa passed away. Tony Jaa was born on February 5, 1976 in Isaan. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page."

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 43-year-old actor was dead.

And as usual, the Twittersphere was in a frenzy over the death hoax.

Whereas some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately sceptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities in recent months, according to Mediamass.

Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Thai network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an actor of Tony Jaa's stature would be major news across all networks.

A poll conducted for the Celebrity Post showed that 89 per cent of respondents thought the false Tony Jaa death rumours were "funny".

On Sunday, the actor's representatives officially confirmed that Tony Jaa was not dead. "He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimised by this [type of] hoax. He's still alive and well; stop believing what you see on the Internet," they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report, saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved actor.

Others said it showed his extreme popularity across the globe.