News of actor Will Smith’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2023 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 Suicide Squad, I Am Legend or The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is alive and well.
UPDATE 29/12/2023 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Will Smith death hoax spreads on Facebook
Rumors of the actor’s alleged demise gained traction on Wednesday after a ‘R.I.P. Will Smith’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the American actor’s passing:
At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (December 27, 2023), our beloved actor Will Smith passed away. Will Smith was born on September 25, 1968 in Philadelphia. 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 55-year-old actor and rapper 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 American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an actor of Will Smith’s stature would be major news across networks.
A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (81%) of respondents think those Will Smith death rumors are not funny anymore.
Will Smith Death Hoax Dismissed Since Actor Is ‘Alive And Well’
On Thursday (December 28) the actor’s reps officially confirmed that Will Smith 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.
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