American-born British entertainer Terry Gilliam, who is also a member of the comedy troupe, Monty Python, became a victim of Internet death hoax after a report on his demise surfaced online.
The hoax news of the "Brazil" director was published in the online portal of American entertainment magazine Variety by mistake. The website published it on Tuesday, 8 September, with the headline: "Monty Python's Terry Gilliam, Director of 'Brazil', Dies at XXX".
The fake death report immediately captured many of his fans' attention and they slammed the publication through twitter. The messages ranged from, "Terry Gilliam dead? Did somebody press the publish button on the wrong post?" terry gilliam is not dead but can now go on living, knowing @Variety is ready for him to die at any moment," to "But I'm not dead yet!"
Later on, the publication deleted the news and wrote an apology on the social networking site, which read: "CORRECTION: Variety incorrectly published an article stating that director Terry Gilliam passed away. We're deeply sorry for the mistake."
CORRECTION: Variety incorrectly published an article stating that director Terry Gilliam passed away. We're deeply sorry for the mistake.
— Variety (@Variety) September 8, 2015
Meanwhile, the 74-year-old director slammed the death report through a Facebook post. "I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING DEAD especially to those who have already bought tickets to the upcoming talks, but, Variety has announced my demise. Don't believe their retraction and apology!" he wrote.
Other celebrities, who were mourned even while they were alive, include Rowan Atkinson, Russell Crow, Rihanna, Jackie Chan, Eddie Murphy, Norman Reedus, Miley Cyrus, George Clooney and Ricky Martin.
