“Ian McKellen dead 2024” : Actor killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
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Ian McKellen is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax
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News of actor Ian McKellen’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2024 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 Beauty and the Beast, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings or X-Men is alive and well.

UPDATE 22/12/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Ian McKellen death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the actor’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Ian McKellen’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the British actor’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (December 20, 2024), our beloved actor Ian McKellen passed away. Ian McKellen was born on May 25, 1939 in Burnley. 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 85-year-old actor 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 British network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an actor of Ian McKellen's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (85%) of respondents think those Ian McKellen death rumors are not funny anymore.

Ian McKellen Death Hoax Dismissed Since Actor Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (December 21) the actor's reps officially confirmed that Ian McKellen 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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