Woody Harrelson has not died. The “Hunger Games” and “Cheers” actor is the latest victim of an Internet death hoax, saying he died in a “Queensland, Australia, car crash.
The fake news site Global Associated News said Harrelson died in a car accident on Monday.
“Actor Woody Harrelson died in a single vehicle crash between Ipswich and Willowbank in Queensland as confirmed by Royal Queensland Police - December 16, 2013,” the article said.
The “report,” which has generated more than 3,000 “likes” on Facebook, even goes as far as to include a fake “Local News 9” byline
However, a disclaimer located at the bottom of the site reads: “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! this story was dynamically generated using a generic ’template‘ and is not factual. Any reference to specific individuals has been 100% fabricated by web site visitors who have created fake stories by entering a name into a blank ’non-specific' template for the purpose of entertainment.”
The Global Associated News generates its false rumors by allowing users to type in names to the Fake-a-Wish website, and it then generates an article from a generic template.
On Twitter and other social media sites, users retweeted the fake report and questioned whether Harrelson had died.
“Rip woody harrelson,” wrote one.
Keep in mind that no credible media outlets have reported on his death.
Other celebrities that have been victimized by similar hoaxes include Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Celine Dion, Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and others.
Harrelson is appearing in the Christian Bale film “Out of the Furnace,” which opened several days ago. His other notable films include “Natural Born Killers,” “No Country for Old Men,” and “Kingpin.”
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