A shocking rumor spread through the internet claiming the veteran actor Robert Downey Jr. has passed away on Friday. The rumor grew more after several fans started posting an image of the 56-year-old with an RIP text. Hundreds of fans without checking the actual truth blindly accepted the rumor and started paying tribute to the actor. Robert Downey Jr is alive, well, doing absolutely fine, but may be sad.
The 56-year-old actor is mourning the sudden death of his right-hand-man and beloved assistant, Jimmy Rich. Rich died after involving in a fatal car accident on Monday at around 8 pm. Downey broke the sad and terrible news on his official Instagram account the day after his death. Soon after, Downey’s colleagues and celebrities friends, who knew Rich closely prayed for his departed soul.
Jimmy Rich was Robert Downey Jr.’s assistant up until his death, starting from way back in 2003. They were close buddies along with their professional relationship. Rich and Robert worked together for the first time in 2003’s The Singing Detective. In the film, Robert starred as detective novelist Dan Dark alongside veteran actor Mel Gibson. He served Downey’s assistant in all of his Marvel projects as Iron Man.
The Real Cause of Viral Death Hoax
The cause of the death hoax is certainly due to the blind side of the internet. While paying tributes to Jimmy Rich, most of the people posted a picture of Robert as well. Even Marvel Studios’ official social media accounts shared the condolences to Rich posting the picture of him with his boss. The internet pranksters then spread the death hoax, making blind users believe that it was Robert who died.
Downey mentioned that Rich was his brother and beloved to all who have known him for years. He also offered condolences to Rich’s loved ones writing that he was the man who supported Robert in every step of his career and recovery. Not only Robert, but his Avengers co-stars also gave their sympathies and condolences. Chris Evans, who plays Captain America in MCU, shared his love to Jimmy’s family and also mentioned that Rich and Downey were inseparable.
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Mark Ruffalo, Josh Brolin, Ryan Reynolds were the among others who expressed their tributes to Jimmy and his family.
