Michael J. Fox Dead? Morbid Hoax Stuns Social Media

If you spent any time on Facebook or Twitter yesterday, then you might have encountered reports of the passing of actor Michael J. Fox.

The rumor was so pervasive that Fox’s name quickly became a worldwide trending topic.

Fortunately, fans can breathe easy, as Fox is not dead, but is instead the latest victim of an obnoxious celebrity death hoax.

Reps for Fox have confirmed that the 57-year-old actor is alive and well, and was just as confused about the apparent prank as anyone else.

Usually, the origin of such nonsense remains mysterious, but this time it looks as though the culprit has been identified.

According to the internet’s sharpest sleuths, news of Fox’s passing originated on a website that was designed to trick users into thinking they had visited Yahoo! News.

A report at the top of the site’s homepage reads as follows: 

“On August 2, Michael J. Fox arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was self-admitted with complications attributed to Parkinson’s Disease. According to Chief Coroner Jonathan Lucas M.D., Fox had developed pneumonia, a common problem occurring in Parkinson’s sufferers in the later stages of the disease.”

“Tragically, Fox died at 11:24 this morning. Doctors confirmed Fox passed away peacefully and was surrounded by friends and family.”

While it’s true that Fox has been battling Parkinson’s Disease for much of his life, the rest of the report is a complete fabrication.

It seems that the hoax spread further and faster than most due to the fact that Fox has been silent on social media in recent weeks.

The photo above, which Fox tweeted on June 1 in support of gun violence victims, constitutes his most recent social media activity.

“It’s made me stronger,” Fox once said of his diagnosis.

“A million times wiser. And more compassionate, I’ve realized I’m vulnerable, that no matter how many awards I’m given or how big my bank account is, I can be messed with like that.

“The end of the story is you die. We all die. So, accepting that, the issue becomes one of quality of life.”

Hopefully, Fox’s story won’t come to an end for many years.

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Will and Kate: "Coronation" Date Falls On Morbid Anniversary

That tiara sits so naturally on her head!

The newest issue of the National Enquirer hath declared that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been named “King and Queen.”  And because it has that gold sticker, it’s totally official.

Someone in the Photoshop department let their kid handle the cover, because Catherine is wearing the Queen’s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, when everyone knows that a coronation calls for a state crown. 

Anyhoo, the magazine alleges that the Queen is livid that the Duchess of Cornwall may have an Australian lovechild (who looks to be her age, if not older), so she’s abdicating on April 25th and opting for Prince William to be her heir instead of Prince Charles.

“Queen Elizabeth’s] furious her wimpy son and his evil wife are at the center of yet another mind-boggling scandal, she’s forever banned them from ever taking the Crown,” the story claims.

The creepiest part of this entire story alleges that the coronation date will be Auguts 31st, the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.

Her Majesty apparently “recently confessed she was wrong about Princess Diana and wished she could ask for her forgiveness.”

The Cambridges were told the news right before their royal trip to India and Bhutan, and though they didn’t expect to ascend to the throne this soon, “[Kate and William] adore the Queen and are ready to do whatever she asks.”

The story also claims that Camilla is PIASSED about being overlooked in favor of her stepson and his wife, and she’s been drinking like a fish.  She’s even on a “ruthless campaign to make herself queen.”

Unfortunately for the National Enquirer, the Queen and Camilla actually have a good relationship these days, though it did take Her Majesty awhile to warm up to the idea that Camilla and Charles were meant to be together.

You don’t have to confirm with Kensington Palace to realize that this story is not only wrong, it’s a little messed up.  A coronation on the anniversary of William’s mother’s death?  

Come on, you guys.  Be better humans.

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