Fact Check

Macaulay Culkin Dead?

Has actor Macaulay Culkin died?

Published Nov. 8, 2014

Claim:

 

 

Claim:   Actor Macaulay Culkin has died.


 

FALSE

 


Example:   [Collected via Twitter, November 2014]

 

Breaking News: Macaulay Culkin Found Dead at Age 34

 

 

 

 

Origins:   On 6 November 2014, an online rumor claimed actor Macaulay Culkin, best known for his roles in the 1990s Home Alone films, had died. That rumor was based on a Facebook hoax memorial page set up for the star:

 

At about 11 a.m. ET on Thursday (November 06, 2014), our beloved actor Macaulay Culkin passed away.

 

Macaulay Culkin was born on August 26, 1980 in New York. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.

 

 

 

 

The Facebook page memorializing the still-living star was soon taken down, but not before hundreds of thousands of social network users were duped by its claims. Culkin was photographed after the rumor began to circulate, alive and in the company of his Pizza Underground bandmates:

 

 

 

Culkin took to Twitter to let fans know he was still alive and on tour:

 

 

 

 

He also spoofed the death rumors by tweeting a photograph of himself in a Weekend at Bernie's-like pose:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated:   8 November 2014

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.