For those who don't know, a premature obituary in simple words is an event when someone's death is falsely published or reported in media without any valid proof. Now, as this word has made its place in our dictionary, we can be sure that there might be some events going on related to it. So here you have it -- The list of Top 10 Famous People who were (at some point in their life) have been mistakenly reported dead.
1. Abe Vigoda
Who can forget Abe Vigoda for his role of Sal Tessio in The Godfather? He also appeared in Barney Miller as Detective Sgt. Phil Fish which aired from 1975 to 1977. Vigoda gained fame mostly out of the supporting character he played in the Godfather, that's why he managed to make a brief appearance in the Godfather II in a flashback sequence.
In 1982, the People magazine mistakenly reported Abe Vigoda to be dead. At that time, Vigoda was performing in a stage play. Although the editors for People at that time were well known for messing things up, this blunder was taken very seriously by people, thus resulting in chaos. Although Vigoda took this mistake with good humour many publications made out with him sitting up in a coffin holding an issue of the People. Since then, Vigoda has been subjected to many gags and further many more mistaken reports of his death, but to his luck, he is still alive.
2. Bob Barker
Many of you may know him by his face and further more for his fun game show hosting. Bob Barker is a former television game show host best known for being the host of CBS's The Price is Right (1972-2007). This was ideally the longest running daytime show in the history of North American television. Some may also recall him for hosting Truth or Consequences (1956-1975). Below is a video of Baker's RIP video made by a fan.
Video link: here.Sadly in the year 2007, the web and media was filled by false reports of Barker's death. This was proven as just a hoax when it was found out that instead of dying, he actually retired in the year 2007. A false video related to death was released to YouTube, but was later removed.
3. George Herbert Walker Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush was the 42st President of the United States. He served the Office from Jan 20, 1989 to Jan 20, 1993. Succeeded by Bill Clinton he is currently the oldest surviving President. Following the attacks on Pearl Harbour Bush joined the US Navy and that so, only after graduating from Phillips Academy earlier in 1942. He became a naval aviator at the age of 18. Quite a number of achievements, if you ask me.
Bush in an erroneous manner was reported dead in an email sent by WBAP AM due to a false tip from a prankster. Ironically enough, Bush at that time was in the ICU for his recovery from some illness. Adding insult to injury, the German magazine erroneously published a draft for his death during the recovery time. As one time was not enough, Bush was again subjected to a death report when a CNN Headline News claimed that he had died (again). They wrote, Either George H.W. Bush or George W. Bush had died in the news ticker.
4. Neil Young
Neil Young is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He began performing with of a group covering Shadow instrumentals in 1960, before moving to California in 1966, where he co-founded the band Buffalo Springfield. He even came across a successful solo career by releasing his first album in 1968. He has to this date released over 35 studio albums in a career of 40 years.
Neil Young was
falsely reported dead on August 25, 2013 by NBC News.com. A headline on NBC website reported "
Astronaut Neil Young, first man to walk on moon, dies at age 82". This was a blunder as a matter of fact, Neil Armstrong had died. NBC quickly rectified the error after realisation of the situation. Some reports suggest that this happened because of a confusion between Armstrong and his fellow astronaut John Young, who as a matter of fact is still alive.
5. Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro is a communist revolutionary and an avid politician from Cubawho was the President of Cuba from 1976 to 2008. He served as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces from 1959 and as the First Secretary of the Communist party of Cuba.
A doctor who runs a sleep clinic in south Florida, told various media and news outlets that Castro had suffered massive bleeding in his brain and was therefore hailing in the life support systems. As always, the doctor, when asked about sources said "unknown sources" in Cuba. Castro was thus believed dead and received numerous phone calls by his followers. To the God's grace he is still healthy and happy. He quoted "
I'm so healthy I don't 'even remember what a headache is!"
6. Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin is a retired Chinese politician who served as the Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1989 to 2002, President of People's republic of China from 1993 to 2003 and Chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2005. He as a long carrier in political Chinese politics and his success has led him to be called as the "Core of the third generation of Communist Party leaders".
In 2011, Zemin faced many rumours of his death as a reason of his disappearance from the public events like the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party. This was just an Internet rumour so due to the well known habit of the Chinese government of censoring things, the words like "Jiang Zemin", "Zemin", "Jiang" and "Critically ill" were eradicated from the web. This was proven far from over when on 6th July, the Hong Kong media agencies carried the headlines like Jiang was Critically ill. The TV station ATV reported that Jiang has died in Beijing. He wasn't!
7. James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is an American Actor who is said to be the greatest and most versatile actors in American History. Proud winner of many awards, including a Tony Award and The Golden Globe Award for his role in The Great White Hope, Jones is also very well known for his voice acting in the Star Wars franchise.
Jones in 1998 was mistakenly pronounced dead during a radio broadcast of a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game by the host Lanny Frattare. Frattare had apparently confused him with James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King's assassination who had just recently died at that time.
8. Steve Jobs
The most famous of all those in the list, indeed. An American entrepreneur and inventor, best known for his role in Apple's success. Jobs is often called as a visionary due to his long term success of his products, most certain the iPhone and the Mac. His influence in the consumer electronics and the ever increasing sales of Apple products made him a very successful businessman.
Jobs on Aug 27th, 2008 along with Jill Scott was rumoured to be dead. First,
CBS’ “What’s Trending” Twitter feed reported that Jobs had died, although he hadn't. CBS corrected this soon after, but being a premium news source, it was widely believed. Steve Jobs died on October 5, 2011.
9. Sean Connery
The Scottish movie actor who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes. Best known for playing the character of James Bond in the years 1962 and 1983; that is six Bond movies. Connery has been polled as "The Greatest Living Scot" and Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure". In 1989, he was proclaimed "Sexiest Man Alive" by
people magazine and in 1999, aged 69, he was voted "Sexiest Man of the Century".
In 1993, Connery was subjected to false news reports which claimed that the actor was undergoing radiation treatment as a cure of Throat cancer followed by his habit of heavy smoking. Some Japanese and South African news agencies falsely reported him dead. Connery immediately made an appearance in the Late Show with David Letterman to clarify all this. And for that Radiation treatment thing, he in an interview with the Entertainment Weekly said that it was just to remove his nodules from his vocal cords. Amazingly, his father was a heavy smoker and died due to throat cancer in 1972.
10. Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian Folk singer who sometimes also does Folk-Rock and Country music. He achieved international success and fame in the years of 1960-1970. He is many times referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter of all time. People claim him to be an international Folk-Rock legend. His songs "
For Lovin' me
, "
Early Morning Rain", "
Ribbon of Darkness" and "
Steel Rail Blues" were all number one hits on the US Country charts in the subsequent years of their release.
Lightfoot was mistakenly reported dead by CBC Radio 3, Canwest and Calgary Herald on Feb, 18, 2010. This was the work of Lightfoot's old friend Ronnie Hawkins who reported CBC about his death as a prank. At the time, Hawkins told the channels that he was the grandson of the singer. As always, all the media outlets ran out with the story claiming that Gordon Lightfoot was dead. Interestingly enough, he was at the dentist at the time this news story got the light.
Who made up this kind of punishment?[/caption]
Horrifying, Inhuman and Disgusting![/caption]
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Edison was helluva creep[/caption]
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Heights[/caption]
Looks equally terrifying to Heights[/caption]
Dear mathematics go up and solve your problems yourself..[/caption]
