'Did Jackie Chan die?' Wild hoax about action star's death goes viral on social media

A series of posts claiming that the legendary Chinese actor Jackie Chan is no more have gone viral on social media. However, the posts are a hoax as the 72-year-old action star is alive and well. The posts are being circulated on platforms such as X and Instagram, claiming that Chan passed away this year.

In the US, a post carrying a monochrome picture of the actor with the text "Jackie Chan 1954 - 2026" has gone particularly viral over the last few hours. One such post has gotten more than 8 million views so far. Many fans posted tributes online as the hoax spread.

In response to the post, a community note appeared on X, saying: "The image in this post is styled as an obituary for Jackie Chan (1954-2026), but he is alive and active at age 72."

Jackie Chan's last public appearance

Jackie Chan, whose real name is Fang Shilong, is a global icon who enjoys popularity the world over. He had last appeared in public in July this year in Singapore, where he made a surprise visit at the Pei Chun Public School, delighting students and staff by singing his song Hard to Say Goodbye, according to a report by The Straits Times.

"Looking at you today made me remember my childhood years and humble beginnings," Chan had said at the event. "I had no hope. My only hope was my bowl of plain rice and to not be beaten by my teacher. Please work hard. Dreams may not come true but, without dreams, you definitely won’t succeed," he added.

This is not the first time that Jackie Chan has been subjected to death rumours. The actor has been the target of such posts on social media several times in recent years.

Jackie Chan's upcoming film

One of the most iconic action stars in the history of cinema, Jackie Chan is known for blending martial arts, comedy, and elaborate stunts in his work. In the early 1960s, Chan started appearing as a child actor in films. His big breakthrough came in 1978 with the films Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master. His Hollywood hits include the flicks Rush Hour, Shanghai Knights, and The Karate Kid.

Chan's upcoming projects include Armour of God 4: Ultimatum, with reports suggesting that Rush Hour 4 is also in the works. Chan is worth more than $400 million in 2026, according to the Celebrity Net Worth website, and primarily lives in Hong Kong.