I Thought You Were Dead! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arthur C. Clarke

The 'Big Three' also included Heinlein and Asimov.
'HAL' was the famous computer from Clarke's '2001: A Space Odyssey', which started life as a short story called 'The Sentinel', written for a BBC competition.
Clarke actually died on 19th March 2008 aged 90.

H.G. Wells (1866-1946) would have been 134 years old had he died in 2000!

Answer: Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell is the star of many hilarious comedies, such as, 'Bewitched', 'Elf' and 'Blades of Glory'. In March 2006, he and a companion were said to have been blown off course and crashed, suffering fatal head injuries.
This mistake was the result of a bogus report being sent to i-Newswire, a press release distribution website. The announcement was removed within hours but caused quite a stir at the time. The hoaxer was never caught!

Answer: Miley Cyrus

Miley is best known for her role as 'Hannah Montana', the teen singing sensation who leads a double life. On September 5th 2008, the report of her death was planted on several internet sites by hoaxers. Despite her 'fatal' injuries, Miley seemed surprisingly perky as she performed at the 'Fashion Rocks!' concert at New York's Radio City later that night.

Although they are in the same class at East High in the popular 'High School Musical' films, at the time of this report, Vanessa Hudgens was 19 and Ashley Tisdale was 23. Star of 'Camp Rock', Demi Lovato was 16 at the time.

Answer: Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper was born on February 4th, 1948 although back then he was known as Vincent Furnier. With hits such as 'Poison' and 'School's Out', he is famous for his outrageous stage shows.
He had to make this announcement when he was the subject of a mock obituary that was run in Melody Maker magazine. It was so convincing that he had to reassure his fans personally that he was still alive.

Answer: Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum was in 'Independence Day' and 'Jurassic Park' but is probably best remembered for his role as Seth Brundle in the 1986 horror movie, 'The Fly'. He was reported to have fallen 60ft from a cliff to his death while filming on location in New Zealand.
Announced on Australia's Channel Nine, it was quickly discovered that the story had originated from a website that generates fake celebrity news stories.
Goldblum later read out his own obituary on a US talk show.

Answer: Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway was indeed in a plane crash. Two, to be precise. The first was minor and he and his wife emerged unhurt. The second, however, only 48 hours later, was far more serious. Although he survived, he was left with serious injuries that affected him for the rest of his life. It is said that he read his own obituary while in a cafe in Venice.
Hemingway led a turbulent life, he was also seriously injured while serving as an ambulance driver in the first world war and was married four times.

He committed suicide on 21st July 1961, nineteen days before his 62nd birthday.

Answer: James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones has been in some great movies but is probably best remembered for his voiceover work as Darth Vader in 'Star Wars' and Mufasa in 'The Lion King'.

During a playoff game, the announcer declared he had died. He was, in fact, confusing the actor with James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Martin Luther King, who had died earlier that day!

We lost the incredible actor, Charlton Heston, in 2008.

Answer: Paul McCartney

Despite later fame with the band Wings, his marriage to Linda Eastman (who sadly died from breast cancer in 1998) and his very public divorce from Heather Mills, there are still some who believe Paul McCartney died while still a Beatle!
Conspiracy theorists say he died in the crash and was replaced by a lookalike, leading to many forums on the internet trying to expose the 'truth'.
They back up their accusations with what they call 'deliberate clues' placed in Beatles songs and artwork.

Answer: Kanye West

Kanye West, born 8th June 1977, was named 'Hottest MC in the Game' in 2008 by MTV.
This particular hoax took the internet by storm! Rumours, however, were crushed early when Kanye's girlfriend, Amber Rose, replied on Twitter.
Calling the reports "disrespectful" and "in poor taste", she let the hoaxers know exactly what she thought of them while setting the record straight.

Answer: Margaret Thatcher

The text, sent by Canadian transport minister John Baird, read "Thatcher has died". Frantic calls to Downing Street were made and official statements were being prepared when the truth was discovered.
'Thatcher' was, in fact, Mr Baird's beloved 16 year old cat, whom he had named after his political heroine, the 'Iron Lady' herself. Oops!