Fact Check

Andrew Lincoln Death Hoax

A prank news site tricked social media users into believing "Walking Dead" actor Andrew Lincoln had died.

Published Feb. 23, 2017

 (Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com)
Image Via Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
Claim:
Actor Andrew Lincoln died in a car crash in February 2017.

In February 2017, actor Andrew Lincoln (born Andrew James Clutterbuck) of the popular AMC television series The Walking Dead became the subject of a "prank news" celebrity death hoax.

What appeared to be a news article announcing his death circulated on Facebook and Twitter, with a headline asserting "Walking Dead Actor Andrew Lincoln Dies in a Car Accident":

However, after several seconds (long enough to fool viewers into sharing the link), the displayed page changed to announce the jape:

The "news" report claiming Andrew Lincoln had died was reveal to be a prank, with the very much undead actor still making live public appearances.

Kim LaCapria is a former writer for Snopes.