People Magazine published an online obituary for legendary actor Kirk Douglas that went viral over the weekend, but there’s only one problem: he’s not dead.
The obituary was apparently erroneously published under the headline “DO NOT PUB Kirk Douglas Dies,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
People has since removed the article; when clicking the original link, the site instead redirects viewers to People‘s homepage.
Numerous accounts of the errant publication have been saved and published to social media. A screenshot of the premature story read:
“Kirk Douglas, one of the few genuine box-office names to emerge just as TV was overtaking American culture in the years right after World War II, died TK TK TK. He was 97 (DOB 12/9/1916) and had been in good health despite having suffered a debilitating 1996 stroke that rendered his speech difficult.”
The obituary went on to cite other events in the actor’s life and some of his most notable work.
It remains unclear exactly when the article was published, but the timestamp reads 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 29.
Twitter users began sharing the news Sunday night, and didn’t cut People much slack as they made jokes at the expense of the publication.
Oops – someone didn’t see the big “DO NOT PUB” – Kirk Douglas is not dead pic.twitter.com/JAp7Q1GejK
— Lucy Leiderman (@lucyleid) December 1, 2014
Is People Magazine going to keep the Kirk Douglas obituary online till he eventually dies? #KirkDouglas pic.twitter.com/er5IaKLDqw
— Joe ‘Monk’ Pardavila (@joepardavila) December 1, 2014
Rest in Peace future dead Kirk Douglas who isn’t dead yet. But way to be FIRST, @PEOPLEMag!http://t.co/axyPUCG1J8
— Adam Newman (@Adam_Newman) December 1, 2014
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