Jerry Lee Lewis Dies & 4 Other Stories TMZ Got Wrong

TMZ is often the first outlet to break news, but that doesn’t mean the tabloid is always correct.

The latest example of running with a false story came on October 26 when they reported rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis died at age 87. Shortly after publishing their story, they issued a retraction that read as follows:

“Jerry Lee Lewis is not dead … as we previously reported.

We’re told the rock ‘n’ roll legend is alive, living in Memphis. Earlier today we were told by someone claiming to be Lewis’ rep that he had passed. That turned out not to be the case.

TMZ regrets the error.”

Of course, this is far from the first time they’ve reported an incorrect story, including falsely reporting a celebrity’s death. Here are four other times TMZ got the story wrong.

• Miley Cyrus

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  There have been a number of death hoaxes aimed at Cyrus, but the first notable one happened in September 2008 when TMZ falsely reported Cyrus died in a car accident. Sadly, Miley was the victim of another death hoax two months later when her YouTube channel was hacked, and a video was uploaded saying she was killed by a drunk driver.

• Lil Wayne

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  In March 2013, TMZ reported Lil Wayne was in a coma and received his last rites at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Weezy himself would debunk the report and tweeted out, "I'm good everybody. Thx for the prayers and love."

• Demi Lovato

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  In July 2018, TMZ reported Demi Lovato suffered a heroin overdose. The tabloid retracted their initial report saying a source connected to the singer said heroin was not involved with the pop star’s overdose. TMZ added, “The source would not reveal what drug caused her to OD, but as we reported she was given Narcan, which is used to counter the effects of opioids.
• Paris Jackson

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  In March 2019, TMZ reported Jackson was hospitalized after she attempted suicide. The outlet cited “family sources” told them her suicide attempt was due to “the fallout from ‘Leaving Neverland,’” a documentary about two men who accused Michael Jackson, Paris’s father, of molesting them as children. Paris would fire back at TMZ responding to a tweet of the outlet’s sharing the incorrect story by writing, “F*** you, you f***ing liars.”