An online hoax fuelled reports that US actor Jeff Goldblum had died in New Zealand after taking fall on set.
The 56-year-old actor, whose film and television credits include the Jurassic Park trilogy, Independence Day, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Will & Grace was said to have died after falling over 60 feet on the Kauri Cliffs while on set in New Zealand.
Entertainment reported Richard Wilkins reported the story on Channel Nine%u2019s Today show, which spread rapidly on social networking sites.
Google searches for %u2018Jeff Goldblum dead%u2019 ranked in the top-five most popular search terms on Google Trends within hours, with Twitter equally awash with fans retweeting the news and their dismay.
Notorious website
The hoax reportedly originated from a the website FakeAWish.com that generates fake news stories reporting the death of celebrities when their names are entered.
Entering %u2018Jeff Goldblum%u2019 into the site produces news stories under the false agency %u2018Global Associated News%u2019 including today%u2019s story.
Speckled with typos, the story reads:
%u201CActor Jeff Goldblum died while filming a movie in New Zealand early this morning - June 26, 2009.
Preliminary reports from New Zealand Police officials indicate that the actor fell more than 60 feet to his death on the Kauri Cliffs while on-set. Specific details are not yet available.
The accident occured at aproximately 4:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT 12). Additional details and information will be forthcoming.%u201D
Discerning readers will not the full disclaimer at the bottom of the site acknowledging that the stories are “100% fabricated” and are produced “for the purpose of entertainment."
The report of the New Zealand death on set is the third, with previous fictitious reports involving Tom Hanks in 2006 and Tom Cruise in 2008.
Celebrities quash rumours
Amidst his coverage of Michael Jackson%u2019s death, controversial celebrity blogger Perez Hilton simply wrote %u2018Jeff Goldblum is NOT Dead! Stop the rumours.%u2019
Fellow American actor Kevin Spacey also tweeted a denial at 10.30am %u2018Jeff Goldblum is alive and well. I just spoke to his manager. Stop here stupid rumours%u201D
Actor %u2018safe in NYC%u2019
The actor is reportedly in New York on the set of %u2018Morning Glory%u2019 that also stars Rachel Mc Adams.
[url]http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1033981/Goldblum-'dead'-in-online-hoax[/url]
There you go, retard. It took me exactly 2 seconds to find that on google. Happy?
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