Jackie Chan Hoax Debunked, Says He’s Not Dead

Jackie Chan became the latest celebrity to be the center of a death hoax, forcing the action movie star to respond.
Jackie Chan Hoax Debunked, Says He’s Not Dead
Jack Phillips
6/25/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

Jackie Chan became the latest celebrity to be the center of a death hoax, forcing the action movie star to respond.

There was a Facebook post saying “R.I.P. Jackie Chan,” saying that “at about 11am on Wednesday, 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,” according to Social News Daily.

But Chan responded, saying “If I am really dead, I will definitely announce it,” according to Channel News Asia.

READ: Why is Bad Luck Plaguing Jackie Chan? Career Includes Propaganda for Chinese Communist Party 

Following the post, there were more rumors spreading about Chan’s death. The fake news creating site Global Associated News also helped circulate the rumor, saying he died in Austria.

READ: Jackie Chan Spotted With Chinese Military Perks

The Global Associated News frequently posts fake reports about celebrities dying. The creator of the website told the New York Times several years ago that the fake articles generate web traffic. “FAKE… THIS STORY IS 100% FAKE! this is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes!” reads an excerpt at the bottom of the website.

Rich Hoover, the head of the Global Associated News, told the Times that he generates revenue. “I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some twisted sense of satisfaction or accomplishment,” he said. 

It wasn’t the first time that fake death rumors sprung up about Chan. There have been a number of fake “R.I.P. Jackie Chan” Facebook pages--as well as pages made about other celebrities--made in recent years.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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