Betty White is not dead, despite some homophone confusion that sparked rumors and RIPs on social media.

“Actress Betty White, 92, dyes peacefully in her Los Angeles home” read a headline published Wednesday on the satirical website Empire News.

The story, which purported to quote the actress’ agent, was a tongue-in-cheek piece about White not being a natural blond.

Long story short: Readers got confused by the fake news and even more so by the wordplay in the headline, and suddenly her name was trending nationally and mournfully on Twitter.


White’s agent, Jeff Witjas, assured the Los Angeles Times that the actress was alive and well.

“She is on the set shooting ‘Hot in Cleveland’ right now,” he said.

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