Hollywood actor and martial arts legend Jackie Chan fell victim to the infamous celebrity death hoax, which has killed several Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities on social media. The News of actor Jackie Chan’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the June 2015 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the actor best known for his roles in Shanghai Noon, Rush Hour or Police Story is alive and well.
- Jackie Chan death hoax spreads on Facebook
Rumors of the actor’s alleged demise gained traction on Sunday after a ‘R.I.P. Jackie Chan’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the actor’s passing:
“At about 11 a.m. ET on Sunday (June 14, 2015), our beloved actor Jackie Chan passed away. Jackie Chan was born on April 7, 1954 in Hong Kong. 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 61-year-old actor was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.
Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an actor of Jackie Chan's stature would be major news across networks.
A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (74%) of respondents think those Jackie Chan death rumors are not funny anymore.
Jackie Chan Death Hoax Dismissed Since Actor Is ‘Alive And Well’
On Monday (June 15) the actor's reps officially confirmed that Jackie Chan is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this 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 say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.
However, the martial arts legend, who recently attended the premiere of Aamir Khan’s “PK” in China, took to his Facebook page to dismiss his fake death reports.
“I was shocked by two news reports when I got off the plane. First of all, don’t worry! I’m still alive. Second, don’t believe the scam on Weibo using my name about the Red Pockets,” Chan said
“This is my official Facebook page and I only have 1 official Weibo page. Love you all,” Chan posted on his Facebook page.
The death hoax rumours started doing the rounds on Twitter and Facebook last week with several internet users posting condolences. But much to the fans’ relief, the actor dismissed his death hoax reports.
Jackie Chan’s Facebook post has gone viral now and has garnered more than 70, 000 likes with fans offering support to their beloved martial arts legend.
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