Sickening Steve Harvey death hoax leaves fans disturbed and angry

Comedian and television host Steve Harvey recently fell victim to a death hoax that sparked confusion and concern across social media. The rumours come just months after it was announced that Harvey’s extraordinary life story will be adapted into a film, chronicling his rise from homelessness to comedy stardom and beyond.

Comedian and television host Steve Harvey recently fell victim to a death hoax that sparked confusion and concern across social media (
Image: Getty Images)

Comedian and television host Steve Harvey became the target of a death hoax that quickly spread online. On December 17, 2024, a website published a false report claiming that Harvey had passed away, along with a tribute to his career and legacy.

The piece, which appeared to be AI-generated, falsely claimed that Harvey had died. This article was subsequently shared on a news app, leading many to believe the misinformation. The spread of this false information prompted fans to express their outrage on social media platforms. One user tweeted: “Nearly had a stroke when I got the news that Steve Harvey passed away…” And Another commented: “IS STEVE HARVEY DEAD WTF IS GOING ON.”

In response to the hoax, Harvey’s official social media accounts remained active. On Facebook, he shared a festive photo with his wife, Marjorie Harvey, captioned: “Throwing it back to Christmas moments filled with love, laughter, and reflection. Grateful for my rock, my queen, Marjorie. Every year, every memory, every blessing.” Additionally, he posted motivational messages on X, formerly known as Twitter, such as: “Stop holding yourself back and start building the life you deserve.”

Harvey also took to Instagram to post a clip from his game show, Family Feud. Fans flooded the comments expressing their confusion over the false reports. One user wrote: “ I just heard that Steve Harvey has passed away. Is this true? If not, that’s really not a topic to joke about.” Whilst another added: “Steve the news app over here telling people you died.” A third penned: “Had to come over to the comment section to check on Steve.” And a fourth firmly stated: “Yall he’s alive.”

This comes after it was revealed, back in September, that Steve Harvey’s life story is set to receive the biopic treatment, bringing his inspiring journey to the big screen. A biopic treatment typically involves a film that delves deeply into a person’s life, highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and key moments. For Harvey, the film will showcase his remarkable rise to success, including the hardships he endured after leaving a steady sales job at 26 to chase his dream of becoming a comedian. One of the most challenging periods in his life was a three-year stretch of homelessness, during which he lived in his 1976 Ford Tempo. Harvey later shared with PEOPLE that his career-defining breakthrough finally came at age 36, with a performance at the Apollo Theater that changed everything.

According to Deadline, OGM developed the idea through Steve’s experience of struggle and self-doubt as he prepared for that life-changing performance. The company brought the idea to Steve and his production company East 112 and Steve was sold.

“I’ve been reluctant to make a movie about my life for years, until I read the pitch for Seventy-Two. It focuses on one of the most difficult moments in my journey and career, and shows the world that hope is never truly lost. Wait until you see what we do with this,” the Family Feud host said.