How do you feel when you hear the news that one of your favorite actors has died? After all, actors play a huge part in our lives. They entertain us and inspire us through the characters they play on the stage and screen. Naturally, we feel saddened when they pass away
But…what if an actor wrongfully declared dead? What if an obituary gets published prematurely? Believe it or not, this has surprisingly happened quite a few times to some of our favorite actors.
What happens when an actor gets wrongfully declared dead? Does this affect their career, or do people forget about the mishap and move on?
Watch this video to learn about the actors who wrongfully declared dead. You might be surprised by some of the names on the list!
SCOTT BAIO
Scott Baio is best known for his work on Happy Days and a spinoff show called Joanie Loves Chachi. He was born on September 22, 1960, in New York.
His first major role was in Bugsy Malone where he played the titular lead character. This debut role brought him to stardom. He eventually landed the role of Chachi Arcola in Happy Days. The character was so popular that this led to the spinoff show Joanie Loves Chachi – where he became the sitcom’s lead.
His TV fame led him to appear on many of the most popular shows of the time. These shows included Full House, Touched by an Angel, The Nanny, and Diagnosis: Murder. He was also the star of the show Charles in Charge.
In addition to his TV career, he also acted in films such as Very Mean Men, Face to Face, and Mixed Blessings.
At the height of Scott’s popularity, he rumored to have died in a car accident! There a hoax report circulated via an email in the late 1990s. The report was published by many popular media outlets, and even some of Scott’s relatives believed that he had died.
Luckily, Scott Baio is still with us and still acting. His recent acting work included playing Bob Loblaw in Arrested Development and a lead role in the film Courting Mom and Dad.
Before we tell you more about some actors who were wrongfully declared dead, please like this video and subscribe to Facts Verse for more great content and interesting stories on your favorite classic shows!
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ABE VIGODA
She was the subject of not one, or two, but several death hoaxes! Abe Vigoda was born in New York on February 24, 1921. Following his military service in the Second World War, he began studying acting at the American Theatre Wing.
He started his career in theatre, appearing in plays such as Marat/Sade, The Man in the Glass Booth, and Tough to Get Help. One of his earliest film roles also became his best-known film role. He additionally played Tessio in The Godfather, which became one of his most memorable characters.
His other well-known character was Detective Phil Fish which he played in the popular sitcom Barney Miller. He reprised the role in a spinoff show called Fish.
Abe Vigoda was mistakenly declared dead in 1982 by People Magazine. He found this hilarious, and he even posed for a photograph sitting up in a coffin. This photo was published in Variety magazine. In 1987, a reporter referred to him as “the late Abe Vigoda” and later apologized for her mistake.
His death rumors became the subject of many jokes. His character, Otis, in the film Good Burger was mocked because of his advanced years. In fact, in 2001 a website was created solely to discuss whether Abe Vigoda was still alive or if he had died!
He continued acting well into his 80s, appearing in a Snickers commercial that was aired during Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 – alongside Betty White. Abe Vigoda passed away in 2016 at the age of 94.
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PETER BOYLE
Peter Boyle was born on October 18, 1935, in Pennsylvania. His first major film role was as the titular character in the 1970 film Joe. His other popular film roles included Wizard in Taxi Driver, Eagle Thornberry in Steelyard Blues, and Dillon in The Friends of Eddie Coyle.
He also played The Monster in Mel Brooks’ hit comedy film Young Frankenstein. The 70s and 80s were great decades for his film career. These included the television film Tail Gunner Joe for which he received an Emmy nomination. He also appeared in Hardcore, Where the Buffalo Roam, Outland, Yellowbeard, and Johnny Dangerously.
In 1990, he suffered a stroke which kept him immobile for 6 months. During this time, there were wrongful reports of his death.
Luckily, Peter managed to recover from this stroke and continued acting. In the 1990s and 2000s, he acted in great films such as The Shadow, Dr. Doolittle, Monster’s Ball and the animated film The Cat Returns.
His most notable role on television was as Frank Barone in the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. This made him a huge star on television, and Frank became one of the roles he would always be remembered for.
He passed away in 2006 at the age of 71.
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SEAN CONNERY
The original 007 was one of the greatest actors of his generation. It was a great loss for the world of cinema when Sir Sean Connery passed away in October 2020 at the age of 90.
He began his acting career in the 1950s, appearing in bit parts in the theatre. Sean did this to supplement his income while also performing as a bodybuilder. He also appeared as an extra in several films.
His first major film role was in the film No Road Back. He continued to act in films, appearing in Action of the Tiger, Time Lock, and Another Time Another Place.
But, of course, his breakthrough film role was as James Bond in Dr. No. He continued to play James Bond until 1983, when he appeared in the “unofficial” Bond film Never Say Never Again. He’s forever remembered as the original James Bond and his portrayal of 007 is considered one of the best heroes in cinema history.
James Bond made Sean Connery a star. But his film career certainly didn’t stop with 007. He appeared in great films such as The Man Who Would Be King, The Wind and the Lion, Murder on the Orient Express, Time Bandits, and The Name of the Rose.
His other notable roles apart from Bond included Jim Malone in The Untouchables, Henry Jones Sr. in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Captain John Patrick Mason in The Rock.
On a 1993 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, he recalled a rumor about his death. It was believed that some media outlets believed Sean Connery had died because they mixed him up with the Texas governor named John Connally. Luckily, he stuck with us for almost 30 years more!
He continued to act until his retirement in the 2000s.
He’ll forever be known as one of cinema’s greatest actors.
GENE HACKMAN
Gene Hackman retired from acting in the early 2000s. He spends much of his retirement down in Florida away from the public eye. In 2015, there was a rumor going around social media that he had died. This rumor had come from an article that had discussed his retirement.
He’s in his 90s now and is enjoying his retirement. Gene Hackman begun his career in the 1950s when he was in his twenties. He started his acting career by appearing in live performances held by the Pasadena Playhouse.
He started playing bit parts in television in the 1960s. In the 1970s, his film career began. His breakthrough role was as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in the 1971 thriller film The French Connection. He also appeared in some of the best films of the 1970s, including The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation, A Bridge Too Far, and Superman: The Movie.
Gene had become a major film star by the end of the 1970s. He appeared in major films within the next two decades, including Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, Unforgiven, Enemy of the State, and The Birdcage. In the 2000s, his biggest roles were in David Mamet’s film Heist and Wes Anderson’s film The Royal Tenenbaums. His final film role was in the 2004 film Welcome to Mooseport.
AL PACINO
One of our greatest actors was rumored to have died a few years ago! A fake news website reported, in 2015, that Al Pacino had been found dead in his home. He was 75 years old at the time.
Luckily for us, Al Pacino is very much still with us, and he’s even still acting! Al Pacino was born on April 25, 1940, in New York.
He began his acting career on stage in the 1960s. He appeared in plays such as Awake and Sing!, America Hurrah, and The Indian Wants the Bronx.
His film career began with the film The Panic in Needle Park. His breakthrough role was as the police officer Frank Serpico in Serpico. But the role that made him a star was as Michael Corleone in The Godfather. He reprised the role in the film’s two sequels.
Al Pacino will always be remembered as one of cinema’s greatest actors. He’s starred in films such as Dog Day Afternoon, And Justice For All, Cruising, Scarface, Dick Tracy, Scent of a Woman, Carlito’s Way, Heat, The Devil’s Advocate, and Donnie Brasco.
In the 2010s and 2020s, his major roles have included Jimmy Hoffa in Martin Scorsese’s film The Irishman. He’s also starred in the Amazon Prime series Hunters as Meyer Offerman.
The death rumor was nothing but a ridiculous fake news story. Al Pacino fans can expect to watch him in the Ridley Scott film House of Gucci and the drama film American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally. He’s in his 80s now, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down!
Are you a fan of any of these actors?
How do you think these kinds of rumors start?
Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
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