Debunking 2011's Top 10 Celebrity Death Rumors To-date

Rumors of celebrity deaths have run rampant during the early days of 2011, as they are wont to do. Hoaxes and tall tales may contribute to these inaccurate stories of headliners' apparent demises. In other cases, celebrities' own daredevil deeds, debauchery or deliberate efforts to find a little privacy may have fueled the falsehoods.

Remember the most famous celebrity death rumors of the past? How many people actually believed former Beatle Paul McCartney was dead during the "Abbey Road" days? And what about "Catcher in the Rye" author J.D. Salinger, assumed by many to be dead decades before he passed away for real last year?

In recent years, rumors have circulated about the deaths of such celebrities as Justin Bieber, Zach Braff, George Clooney, Bill Cosby, Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus, Eminem, Will Ferrell, Harrison Ford, Lady Gaga, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Hanks, Paris Hilton, William Hung, Kim Kardashian, "Jackass" Johnny Knoxville, Taylor Lautner, Gordon Lightfoot and Lindsay Lohan.

Additional celebrity death hoaxes in the past have targeted Robert Pattinson, Natalie Portman, Lou Reed, Ryan Seacrest, Sinbad, Will Smith, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Abe Vigoda, Kanye West, Betty White, Jaleel White, Oprah Winfrey and many others - who are still very much alive.

All of these celebrities (and more) fell casualties to the death hoax rumor mill.

Of course, celebrity death rumors are nothing new. Back in 1945, Hollywood fans grieved the rumored deaths of Charlie Chaplin, Errol Flynn and Frank Sinatra - who were all still alive at the time.

Every year, especially right around New Year's, it seems the tabloids and celebrity rumor mills begin pumping out stories of famous folks dying. Soon, however, those allegedly deceased individuals begin appearing in public.

Here are the top celebrity death rumors (so far) of 2011 (arranged alphabetically).

These headliners are alive and active, despite rumors claiming otherwise. Some of these celebrity death hoaxes began in the last days of 2010 and carried over into the new year, casting a pall on 2011.

Can you spot any of these famous (and still alive - at time of print) folks in public? Paparazzi surely can ... and they have.

Aaron Carter

Towheaded pop star Aaron Carter ("Aaron's Party" and "I Want Candy"), who happens to be the younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, is not dead, as tabloids reported. Aaron Carter did not suffer from a drug overdose.

Aretha Franklin

Although Aretha Franklin is reportedly battling pancreatic cancer, the Queen of Soul is fighting valiantly and remains fully alive. The celebrity death rumor mill (particularly on Twitter) announced her death, but Aretha Franklin publicly said this about her apparent cancer: "The problem has been resolved."

We're not sure exactly what that means, except that it surely debunks Aretha Franklin death reports.

Morgan Freeman

A Tweeter seems to have started this one, posting a claim that Morgan Freeman had died. Supposedly, CNN picked up the story until fact checkers debunked the celebrity death hoax. Morgan Freeman (73), star of "Driving Miss Daisy," "Invictus," "Million Dollar Baby" and "The Shawshank Redemption," is alive as usual and begs to differ with anyone claiming otherwise.

Avril Lavigne

Canadian songbird (and 2009 "American Idol" celebrity judge) Avril Lavigne is alive, singing, tweeting and planning concert appearances. In fact, the 26-year-old singer and songwriter was photographed this week in Mexico, looking extremely healthy. False reports had claimed Avril Lavigne was killed in a freak accident.

That's what she gets for going on vacation during the peak season for celebrity death rumors.

Eddie Murphy

"Saturday Night Live" alum and actor Eddie Murphy did not perish in a skiing accident, although celebrity death rumors claimed to the contrary. The star of "48 Hrs.," "Beverly Hills Cop," "The Nutty Professor" and "Trading Places" is alive and looking forward to his 50^th birthday on April 3, 2011.

Matt Roloff

Matt Roloff, star of TLC's "Little People, Big World," is also still alive, despite rumors that he had passed away from an apparent heart attack. The 49-year-old reality television personality and his family posted recent photos online (on Facebook and web bulletin board communities, proving his ongoing existence.

Adam Sandler

Comedian and actor Adam Sandler is also extremely alive. The 44-year-old star of such films as "Big Daddy," "Billy Madison," "Happy Gilmore" and "Mr. Deeds" is apparently thriving. Adam Sandler did not die in a snowboarding accident in the Swiss Alps, as recent rumors suggested.

Charlie Sheen

Despite his widely publicized and scandalous misadventures (involving binging with booze and bimbos), Charlie Sheen is still breathing. Still, rumors of his demise prevail. There's even a website titled IsCharlieSheenDead.com, which claims to keep tabs on the "Two and a Half Men" actor's latest life status.

Owen Wilson

Not only is actor Owen Wilson ("Drillbit Taylor," "Meet the Fockers" and "Tropic Thunder") still alive, in spite of rumors to the contrary, but the 42-year-old former Hollywood wild child is a new father. Owen Wilson's girlfriend Jade Duell had a baby boy on January 14, 2011, in Hawaii.

And here is the tenth headliner that has not actually died, despite rumors.

One more celebrity death hoax merits mention here.

Facebook

Social networkers have been clamoring, clanging and banging, about the possible demise of Facebook. Will Facebook shut down in March 2011? A resounding "No" has met the Facebook death rumors across the board. Mark Zuckerberg and his gazillion online friends are alive and happy. Will Facebook end on March 15^th? Not likely, with an estimated $50 million current worth.

Who will be the next celebrity death hoax?