Has Steve Harvey passed away? Death rumor debunked

A viral rumor suggesting that Steve Harvey has passed away has caused widespread confusion online. The speculation began circulating after an article titled “Steve Harvey Passed Away Today: Remembering The Legacy Of A Comedy Legend” was posted to Trend Cast News and picked up by Newsbreak, a popular media roundup site.

Newsbreak, which has been accused of sharing “AI fiction” in the past, such as the fake Drew Scott death story, featured this story with a future publishing date of December 19, 2024. In contrast to the assertions, Steve Harvey is alive and healthy.

Trusted news sources like The Wrap, 11Alive, and The Independent verified that Harvey is safe and healthy. The rumors started from an unconfirmed article that employed deceptive headlines to attract interest. Despite the online chaos, there are no reliable reports or statements from Harvey's representatives backing the assertion.

The event highlights the risks of false information on online platforms. Numerous users disseminated the unconfirmed information, resulting in additional confusion. Steve Harvey, famous for his role as host on Family Feud and various other popular shows, has not yet spoken publicly about the rumors.

As the rumor that Harvey passed away circulated, numerous fans took to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to express their shock, confusion, and disbelief. Some users questioned the validity of the claim, urging others to verify the information before.

One user @iheartJRemy on X tweeted:

"I deleted the newsbreak app from my IPhone this morning. Yall really had me thinking Steve Harvey died."

Another X user tweeted:

"THERE WAS ANOTHER HOAX ABOUT STEVE HARVEY'S DEATH??"

---

Where did the rumors come from?

According to reports from 11Alive, Newsbreak has been previously accused of sharing some news reports that have been later debunked, often referred to as “AI fiction” as they allegedly use AI generated content on their website.

The false report of a mass shooting on Christmas Day in Bridgeton, New Jersey, was published by NewsBreak on December 24, 2023. The rumor was debunked after local outlets verified the falsity of the claim by confirming with local police that no such incident occurred.

The Bridgeton police, as reported by Patch Media, shared on Facebook that the article was brought to their attention and called it "entirely false."

"The article does not have an author and states at the bottom.This post includes content assisted by AI tools. This content was assisted by AI and may contain errors. Please verify critical information with trusted sources.' It seems this 'news' outlet's AI writes fiction they have no problem publishing to readers," they further added

Trend Cast posted a similar false article about Property Brothers star Drew Scott. This fabricated story, originally posted by the channel DOOL Dispatch on November 20, 2024, falsely claimed that Drew Scott had passed away. The Canadian reality star is alive and healthy. The rumor was debunked as Drew Scott continued posting updates on his social media accounts and no official statement was published regarding his demise.

The misleading headline about Harvey's death included a future publishing date of December 19, 2024, raising further doubts about its legitimacy. Despite these red flags, the article quickly spread across social media, causing alarm among Harvey’s fans.

---

Has Steve Harvey addressed these rumours?

Steve Harvey at Boston Celtics v Denver Nuggets (Image via Getty)

Even though Harvey hasn't directly responded to the rumors, he has been very active on his own social media channels, posting several posts to fans on X/Twitter and Facebook.

One recent tweet from Harvey said,

"A lot can happen in a year. If you’re focused."

A report from 11Alive confirmed that Harvey is safe and healthy, though no direct statement from his representatives has been provided. Multiple outlets, including The Independent, The Wrap have indicated they reached out to his team but have not received a response.

However they have affirmed that Harvey is alive and well. This coincides with the lack of any reliable reports or declarations supporting the viral assertions.

This event highlights the necessity of checking facts prior to disseminating them online. False information, especially regarding prominent figures, can disseminate quickly and lead to unwarranted anxiety. Social media users are advised to depend on trustworthy sources and refrain from disseminating unverified information.

---

Previous rumors about Steve Harvey’s death

This isn't the first occasion Steve Harvey has fallen prey to death rumors. In the past, comparable rumors have emerged, frequently stemming from unverified social media profiles or dubious websites.

In March 2023, a Facebook post titled "R.I.P Steve Harvey" began to spread, receiving more than a million likes in a brief time. The announcement inaccurately stated that the star had died and even mentioned a particular time and place of death. Supporters were encouraged to express their sympathy and condolences via comments and likes, sending ripples through Harvey's fan base.

Compounding the situation, a YouTube video emerged in March 2023, incorrectly claiming that Harvey had unexpectedly passed away at his residence at 66 years old. The rumor was debunked as Harvey continued to post on his social media accounts, including updates about his ongoing projects and appearances.

---

Netizens are encouraged to monitor verified accounts and reliable news sources for information regarding his actions.