Fact Check

Reginald VelJohnson Death Hoax

'Family Matters' star Reginald VelJohnson is alive and tweeting.

Published Feb. 16, 2017

Claim:
'Family Matters' star Reginald VelJohnson died of a heart attack in February 2017.

On 13 February 2017, the web site HeadlinenNews.com reported that Reginald VelJohnson (best known for his role as Carl Winslow on "Family Matters") had died of a heart attack:

Reginald Vel Johnson, the actor best known as Family Matters‘ Carl Winslow, has died after suffering a heart attack. He was 64.

He was loved by the world and he will be missed profoundly,” says Jenkins, 24. “Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Rumors claim that Vel Johnson was flying from London to Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, when he went into cardiac arrest. According to the story, paramedics removed him from the flight and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for a heart attack.

The rumor was given traction by VelJohnson's appearance in a meme mocking the non-existent "Bowling Green Massacre":

VelJohnson personally debunked the claims on Twitter:

Although VelJohnson's Twitter account is not verified, it was registered in 2009 and was not likely to be operating as a separate hoax. Even if it were a hoax Twitter account, however, the difficult-to-find "About" page on HeadlinenNews.com has the following disclaimer:

Headlinen News is a satire site. We use real people to make real funny stories. Chill folks, its all for fun.

Kim LaCapria is a former writer for Snopes.