Stars Who Debunked Their Own Death Hoaxes: Patton Oswalt, Michael J. Fox and More

Celebrities are often targeted by false death reports.

Over the years, several stars have had to speak out after rumors of their deaths circulated online. From Patton Oswalt to Michael J. Fox, these celebrities had to prove they were still alive.

Years before he died on November 5, 2022, Aaron Carter was forced to address the reports claiming he had died of a drug overdose at the age of 23 in December 2010.

"This is the real Aaron Carter I know there's a Hoax Going Around, But I'm Here, Alive & Well. At the compound Working on my mind & soul," he tweeted at the time.

For years, Avril Lavigne has repeatedly dealt with the conspiracy theory claiming she had died and been replaced by a clone.

According to the since-debunked speculation, the "Breakaway" songstress was replaced by a body double named Melissa after supposedly dying between the releases of her albums Let Go (2002) and Under My Skin (2004).

"[I'm] flabbergasted that people bought into it. Isn't that so weird? It's so dumb. And I look the exact same," she said of the "dumb internet rumor" during an interview with a news outlet. "On one hand, everyone is like, 'Oh my god, you look the same,' and on the other hand people are like, 'Oh my god, she died.'"

In 2016, Sony Music's Twitter — now X — account falsely reported Britney Spears' death. A spokesperson for the "Toxic" hitmaker believed the account had been "hacked."

"I haven't spoken to anyone," the spokesperson clarified. "As of yet but I am certain their account was hacked. Britney is fine and well. There have been a few Internet clowns over the years who have made similar claims about her death, but never from the official Sony Music Twitter account."

Spears has also faced rumors she was cloned, prompting her son Jayden to dismiss the claims once and for all.

"I hop on TikTok and I see this one video that has 1.2 million likes, and the caption is like, 'The biggest theory ever: Is Britney Spears still alive?'" the 19-year-old told his livestream viewers on July 17. "Like, bro, you can go to her page and see her right now."

In 2015, a CBC reporter inaccurately tweeted that Carlos Santana had been found dead in his car.

The guitarist's team debunked the report on Facebook, writing, "From Team Santana: Carlos is alive and well and enjoying his morning! Thank you all for your concern, but the reports of his passing are false."

Chloë Grace Moretz had to remind the public she was still alive after reports claimed she died in a snowboarding accident in Switzerland in 2013.

"I've had my loved ones calling crying to check and see if I'm alive. Don't make this up. It's not real. I am fully alive and here. You're sick," she tweeted at the time.

In 2015, Jackie Chan spoke out after an online hoax announced his death.

"I was shocked by two news reports when I got off the plane," the famed film star said. "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."

TMZ prematurely reported Jerry Lee Lewis' death, claiming the rock musician died at his Memphis home on October 26, 2022. The news outlet quickly took down the article as the singer's representative clarified he was "alive."

But two days later, on October 28, 2022, the pioneering rock and roll icon died of natural causes at the age of 87.

Amid King Charles III's cancer battle, a Russian news organization published a bogus report claiming the monarch had died in March 2024.

Buckingham Palace clarified the king was alive and "continuing with official and private business."

In 2014, Macaulay Culkin put an end to rumors about his alleged death, writing "We're on tour you silly people. One of the great things you can do when you're alive is stop for lunch in Breaux Bridge, LA."

He later poked fun at the conspiracy claim by posting a photo of himself pretending to be dead.

"Weekend at bernies with @anchovywarhol #greenroom," he shared in the post on his band's Instagram account. The caption referenced a scene in Weekend at Bernie's in which two characters try to convince people that their murdered employer is still alive.

Matt Damon slammed the "silly" reports claiming he had died while hiking in California in 2009.

"My publicist's like, 'Did you even read the story?' Misinformation is quicker because you m---------- are lazy! That's how these things spread like wildfire," the Good Will Hunting star said during a press conference at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In April, CNN published a tribute video titled, "Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox."

After the post fueled death hoax, the Back to the Future actor took to Threads to assure concerned fans he was still alive.

"How do you react when you turn on the TV and CNN is reporting your death?" he wrote. "Do you…A) switch to MNSBC, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, (B) Pour scolding hot water on your lap, if it hurts your fine, (C) Call your wife, hopefully she's concerned but reassuring, (D) Relax, they do this once every year, (E) Ask yourself w-- ? I thought the world was ending, but apparently it's just me and I'm ok. Love, Mike."

Two years before his death from a heart attack at the age of 76, Ozzy Osbourne personally dismissed claims he had passed away.

"I'm not dead," he said in an episode of "The Osbournes" podcast in December 2023. "I'm not going any-f--------where. And I'm gonna go up and do some more gigs before I'm finished anyway. The thing on YouTube, it's got 'Celebrities Who Have Died Today,' and there's a picture of me. And I go, 'I'm not dead. I'm not really dead … Just a little flesh wound.'"

Patton Oswalt found himself denying reports about his death in June.

"Yeah, this has been very sudden and I'm trying to adjust. Asking for privacy as I ascend," he quipped.

Paul McCartney was an early target of a celebrity death hoax. The "Paul is dead" conspiracy theory began in 1969 when a caller told Detroit radio station WKNR-FM DJ Russ Gibb that The Beatles member had died in a car crash in 1966 and was replaced by a lookalike.

The caller also asked him to play the band's "Revolution 9" backwards, which supposedly revealed the eerie message, "turn me on dead man."

After hearing the conspiracy narrative, McCartney said, "I am alive and well and concerned about the rumors of my death. But if I were dead, I would be the last to know."

In an Instagram update, Queen Latifah told fans she was "100 percent A-okay" after false reports of her death circulated online.

"Can't believe what you read on the internet or see. Can't believe nothing now, right? I'm good. Peace," she shared.

Several reports published in 2012 falsely stated that Reba McEntire died after falling from a mountain in Austria while filming a movie.

"While I would love to be shooting a movie in Austria, I definitely did not fall off a mountain! Nor am I dead! I am alive and kicking!!!" she assured. "Most of you know this already because I've been giving you daily accounts of Shelby's race. Oh well. Have a great day."

After a website made a dubious claim about Russell Brand's alleged death in 2012, the embattled star addressed the faux report on X.

"B----- h---," he wrote. "I better cancel the milk."

In 2014, several bogus websites falsely reported that Wayne Knight had been killed in a car crash, claiming the Seinfeld actor suffered fatal blunt-force injuries and died alongside two other passengers.

Knight shut down the story, assuring fans that he was "still alive and well."

"Some of you will be glad to hear this, others strangely disappointed," he quipped as he denied the rumors, "Does someone have to DIE to trend? Geez! Thanks for all the love everybody. I didn't know you cared. Glad to be breathing!"