Renowned actor James Spader became the target of a rapidly spreading death hoax this week after a TikTok video falsely claimed that he had suffered a fatal heart attack.
The misleading rumor started on June 10th when a TikTok account named “news.wave_” posted a video alleging that Spader had died on June 9th from complications related to a heart attack at his Los Angeles home. The video quickly went viral, amassing nearly 900,000 views as it was shared widely on TikTok and Twitter.
Another TikTok user, “oliviaeyy,” also shared the video, expressing disbelief at the claim.
However, fans were quick to debunk the false news in the comments, pointing out the absence of any credible sources confirming Spader’s alleged death.
“This seems like a lie,” one user commented, while another speculated that the rumor might have originated from confusion with another person named James Spader in Florida.
The hoax gained further traction when a Twitter user posted a screenshot of an edited Wikipedia page that misleadingly showed Spader’s “Years Active” as 1978-2024, suggesting that the 64-year-old actor had passed away this year. However, a quick search revealed that Spader’s Wikipedia, IMDB, and Google biography all confirmed that he is still very much alive.
The rumors were finally laid to rest when a Twitter user named Tina Marie, who claimed to have spoken with Spader recently, confirmed that the actor is alive and well.
Further investigation into the “news.wave_” TikTok account revealed a pattern of spreading misinformation. The account’s bio, which reads “Dark Humour Don’t get mad,” and its history of posting fake celebrity death videos suggest that this was just another attempt to mislead viewers.
While the hoax caused brief concern among some fans, the rumor of James Spader’s heart attack was quickly debunked across social media.
In Case You Didn’t Know
James Spader, an award-winning actor, became more conscious of his health after turning 50, especially given the rising number of heart attacks among people in their 50s. He has earned three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor. Spader is particularly known for his work in the psychological thriller genre, which remains his favorite.
