Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Hollywood Christmas ParadeLet's all breathe a sigh of relief: Mark McGrath is alive and well.
The 46-year-old Sugar Ray frontman became the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax today after a press release was sent to various media outlets, claiming the Don't Forget the Lyrics host had passed.
As expected, the fabricated news sent fans into a tizzy as many were skeptical to believe what we now know is a false report (phew!).
Even McGrath took to Twitter to clarify, insisting he had nothing to do with the hoax.
Final word on the death hoax thing, I knew nothing about it and found out the same time you did...sorry about any confusion
? mark mcgrath (@mark_mcgrath) February 26, 2015The release claimed that McGrath died while "filming the second season of entertainment show Hot Package, when he was confronted by a masked gunman and shot several times."
"In honor of Mr. McGrath's legacy, his team is asking in liu [sic] of flowers, fans post a Sugar Ray Selfie, holding a packet of sugar over their heart. #RIPMARKMCGRATH," the release read.
And in a clever case of perfect timing, the show Hot Package just so happens to be airing its next episode on Saturday at 12:30 a.m.
Over an hour after the first release was sent, an updated message was emailed to media, clarifying that McGrath is "alive and well in real life" but he will be killed by a masked gunman on the show's season-two premiere.
With regards to the press release, a spokesperson for Adult Swim released the following statement to E! News, denying the network's involvement.
"This press release did not come from Adult Swim and is not part of any network PR or marketing campaign for the show Hot Package."
While the ruse is simply a publicity ploy, McGrath had a good sense of humor and poked fun at the incident on Twitter by retweeting a series of silly posts.
@mark_mcgrath always the last to know about your own death...
? Brian Flora (@BrianFlora) February 26, 2015@mark_mcgrath Thats cool you arent dead and stuff, but I had you in my Celebrity death pool and now I am out 8 bux, bastard!
? Kun T Bastard (@Phish_Pharts) February 26, 2015@mark_mcgrath you can drink enough whiskey to kill a large horse, there's nothing capable of being taking you down!!! #longlivemcgrath
? cigwilly (@cigwilly) February 26, 2015Happy to hear all is well!
Prismatics, the firm which sent out the original strange death release, later released this statement: "Please be advised that Mark McGrath and his team have had no involvement in or knowledge of the media alerts sent earlier this morning. Mr. McGrath is a guest on the show, and his death is merely a plot line in the premiere episode. PRISMATICS take full responsibility for any confusion."