Is Jimmy Fallon dead? Everything you need to know about #RIPJimmyFallon trending on Twitter

By Malavika Pradeep

Published Nov 16, 2022 at 02:14 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

38363

If there’s one television host that millennials and gen Zers collectively adore for bringing out the best in his guests, it’s American comedian and writer Jimmy Fallon. Evolving into a showbiz icon of the 21st century, the late-night talk show host has forged his own loyal following over the years called ‘falpals’.

For many stans, however, the dawn of 16 November 2022 came with the shocking news of the star’s sudden passing on Twitter, with #RIPJimmyFallon making its way onto everyone’s feeds. But is Fallon actually dead? Here’s everything you need to know about The Tonight Show star’s bouts with the radioactive, post-apocalyptic thunderstorm of a platform—aka Twitter.

Is Jimmy Fallon dead?

Rumours of Fallon’s alleged demise first gained traction on the bird app when user @SolidusJJ tweeted the screenshot of an alleged post by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’s official Twitter account. Announcing the death of the host with a black-and-white image of him with a dog, the tweet read: “It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of late-night legend, husband, and father of two, Jimmy Fallon. 1923-2022.”

To this, @SolidusJJ tweeted: “Wait what the fuck I thought it was just a gag lmao rip I guess.”

@SolidusJJ’s screenshot quickly went viral on the platform and many believed the announcement as it seemingly came from the late-night TV show’s official account. But if there’s one thing we know about users on the braindead app, it’s that they purposefully love to spread and digest misinformation—an antic only heightened by Technoking Elon Musk’s recent takeover.

Well, if the distorted black-and-white image didn’t give it away already, the screenshot was indeed edited and the details jotted were utterly wrong. First off, Fallon was not born in 1923, but in 1974—making him 48 years old. If one were to believe the year mentioned in the fake tweet, it would mean that Fallon would be 99 years old now.

https://twitter.com/MenEnthusiast2/status/1592688538532782081

What is the #RIPJimmyFallon trend?

Without sparing a thought, netizens quickly believed the fake tweet and flooded Twitter with tributes to the TV host. Only when it was fact-checked on the platform did it take a turn for the worse and evolve into a full-blown meme parade—with users posting pictures of other talk show hosts in a parody tribute format.

https://twitter.com/the_meghaning/status/1592709402314035200

Heck, the trend also witnessed users expressing grief by uploading images of completely unrelated matters—throwing Fallon under the bus in the process:

https://twitter.com/Jimbonicus/status/1592692516016771072
https://twitter.com/TgraThaMan453/status/1592711609042219009

Now, it’s time to return to reality. As of writing this article, Jimmy Fallon is alive and well. Shortly after #RIPJimmyFallon gripped Twitter, the host himself hit up “Chief Twit” Musk by stating: “Elon, can you fix this? #RIPJimmyFallon.” To this, Musk replied: “Fix what?” Are we surprised? Not in the least. Disappointed? Heck, yes.

Fallon’s representatives have also confirmed that the comedian is, in fact, alive. “Fallon joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimised by this hoax. He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the internet,” the statement read.

While several celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, and Stranger ThingsJoe Keery have fallen victim to the hoax, the most recent debacle proves just how concerning a platform Twitter is slowly evolving into under Musk’s leadership.

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

Odd Muse founder Aimee Smale fights back against fast fashion controversy on TikTok

By Charlie Sawyer

22-year-old groom arrested after police find 9-year-old bride at staged Disneyland wedding

By Eliza Frost

Bad Bunny announced as halftime act for Super Bowl 2026—and conservatives aren’t too happy 

By Eliza Frost

Rina Sawayama calls out Sabrina Carpenter’s SNL performance of Nobody’s Son for cultural insensitivity 

By Eliza Frost

Jennifer Aniston to star in Apple TV+ adaptation of Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died

By Eliza Frost

Kylie Jenner now follows Timothée Chalamet on Instagram, but he doesn’t follow her back

By Abby Amoakuh

BLACKPINK’s Lisa faces backlash after wearing civil rights icon Rosa Parks on her crotch at Met Gala

By Charlie Sawyer

First look at $1 billion UK mini city where controversial HBO Harry Potter series will be filmed

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

MrBeast hunts for volunteers to test the viral question: who would win between 100 men and one gorilla?

By Charlie Sawyer

Meghan Trainor is not responsible for eradicating fatphobia. But her fans also have a right to be upset

By Eliza Frost

Glen Powell’s GQ photoshoot is a satiric look at modern day males—and he’s in on the joke 

By Matilda Ferraris

From Ballerina Cappuccina to Trallalero Trallalà, we unpack the darker undertones of Italian brainrot

By Eliza Frost

Jennifer Lawrence weighs in on The Summer I Turned Pretty love triangle, revealing she is Team Jeremiah

By Abby Amoakuh

Tiktoker gets slammed by dermatologists for promoting dangerous caveman skincare regime

By Eliza Frost

Jessie Cave was banned from a Harry Potter fan convention because of her OnlyFans account

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Could the next pope be Black? Peter Turkson’s papal bid could rewrite over 1,500 years of Vatican history

By Eliza Frost

Zayn Malik’s new song suggests One Direction era wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows

By Charlie Sawyer

How influencer Liv Schmidt promotes toxic eating habits through the Skinni Société 

By Eliza Frost

Gen Z can’t afford one-night stands as rising cost of living causes sex recession

By Abby Amoakuh

Campaigners call for gamers who carry out virtual rape in the metaverse to be charged as real-life sex offenders