Collection

These Celebrities Have Been Targets of Online Death Hoaxes

Here's a look back at 10 stories and story collections that got your attention.

by Evan Pattison, Dec. 7, 2022


Image courtesy of AP Photo/Julio Cortez


The year 2022 was pretty monumental at Snopes. We got new management, back-end improvements on our website that helped with page-load times, and a clean, new look. From a deeply consequential 2022 midterm election in the U.S., to Elon Musk's controversial acquisition of Twitter and the rumors that followed, Team Snopes was hard at work investigating rumors that mattered greatly to our readers. We have big plans for 2023, too, and we're excited to share them with all of you in the coming months.

To ring in the new year, we've gathered together a collection of stories that most captured your attention based on audience analytics, in descending order. Enjoy!


By Evan Pattison

does newprofilepic app steal data?

Is 'New Profile Pic' App a Russian Malware Scam?

May 11, 2022

There's little evidence to suggest that this app is any more invasive in its collection of user ...

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Airplane, Aircraft, Vehicle

Is This 'Ghost of Kyiv' Video Real?

Feb. 25, 2022

The "Ghost of Kyiv" may be real, but this video is not.

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The Poptopic blog claimed without evidence that Disney has allegedly offered Johnny Depp a USD $301 million contract deal for him to return as Jack Sparrow in another Pirates of the Caribbean film and a Disney Plus series.

Was Johnny Depp Offered '$301M Disney Deal' for 'Pirates' Return?

June 10, 2022

We looked into the origins of a rumor alleging that Depp was being offered a deal worth $301 mil ...

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A video supposedly showed a snake standing up and raising its head and was possibly a king cobra or black mamba in Malaysia, India, Zimbabwe, or another country.

Does Video Show a 'Snake Standing Up,' Raising Its Head?

Aug. 12, 2022

Social media commenters on Facebook and Reddit hypothesized that the snake in the video was eith ...

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Ed McMahon never gave out big checks at ordinary people's doorsteps for Publishers Clearing House.

'Mandela Effect': Ed McMahon and Publishers Clearing House

May 20, 2022

Here are several reasons why so many Americans think they remember entertainer Ed McMahon workin ...

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Facebook posts said there was very sad news and that Bruce Willis was dead, but it was a death hoax.

Bruce Willis Is Not Dead, Despite 'Very Sad News' Facebook Death Hoax

Nov. 17, 2022

The same site that pushed the Willis death hoax was doing the same for actor Dwayne "The Rock" J ...

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did amber heard snort cocaine during trial?

Does Video Show Amber Heard Sniffing Cocaine at Depp v. Heard Trial?

May 10, 2022

A video purports to show the actor's sneaking a bump mere feet away from the judge during her te ...

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Amber Heard Johnny Depp defamation trial

Did Amber Heard Steal 'Talented Mr. Ripley' Lines During Depp Trial?

May 5, 2022

Social media users claimed Heard uttered lines borrowed verbatim from the film "The Talented Mr. ...

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An online advertisement claimed to always keep a bread clip in your wallet when travelling or traveling alone.

Should Travelers Always Keep a Bread Clip in Their Wallet?

April 5, 2022

We looked at the origins of a strange tip after a reader sent in a question about it.

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President Joe Biden

Did Biden Admin 'Fund Crack Pipes' To 'Advance Racial Equity'?

Feb. 8, 2022

News reports in February 2022 grossly misrepresented the facts about a federal harm reduction pr ...

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These Celebrities Have Been Targets of Online Death Hoaxes

Dec. 7, 2022

The list includes Julia Roberts, Joe Jackson, Demi Lovato, and Denzel Washington — just to name ...

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