Social media hoax worries fans
By Daniel Kim
Fans have been left worried over a false rumour that Robert Downey Jr had died. The actor is alive but how did the hoax first start?
The American actor and producer is best known for his role as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes and its 2011 sequel.
He has been named by Time Magazine as one of the the 100 most influential people in the world and is one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors.
But this week a social media hoax left many of his fans worried. Here’s what you need to know.
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Robert Downey Jr is not dead
Robert Downey Jr has become a victim of a death hoax that started trending on Twitter on Monday, March 14th. The actor is very much alive and well in 2022.
Several social media users have claimed that the reason for the false rumour appeared to have surfaced from a search on Google.
According to screenshots posted on Twitter, Robert Downey Jr’s Wikipedia page reportedly said that he had died on July 7th, 2021 in Manhattan. However, this is the day that his late father and filmmaker Robert Downey Sr passed away.
Robert Downey Jr’s bio has since been updated after fans reported the issue on Twitter.
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Hoax worries fans
It’s safe to say that many of the actor’s fans were left confused and worried over the false social media rumours.
“Why does Robert Downey Jr’s Google info say he has been dead for a year?” asked one confused Twitter user.
Why does Robert Downey Jr. Google info say he has been dead for a year?
— guywiththeDong (@the_bigdong_guy) March 14, 2022
“Uhhh, why does it say on Google that Robert Downey Jr. died???” someone else tweeted.
Another fan tagged the actor’s official Twitter handle and wrote: ” [Robert Downey Jr], can you please let Google know you’re okay?”
What has been the actor up to?
As per the latest reports, Robert Downey Jr and Shane Black have joined forces to bring their own version of Donald Westlake’s fictional character Parker.
Downey Jr will star as professional thief Parker, while Black will direct the movie for Amazon Studios.
The Dolittle and Tropic Thunder actor is an active social media user and he regularly posts from his Twitter account @RobertDowneyJr and Instagram profile under the same handle.
