The internet is a weird place. One minute you're scrolling through videos of golden retrievers, and the next, your feed is blowing up with claims that Pauly Shore is dead. It’s jarring. If you grew up in the 90s, the "Weasel" was everywhere—from Encino Man to Bio-Dome—and seeing his name trend alongside a tombstone emoji feels like a punch to the gut.
But here is the reality: Pauly Shore is not dead.
He is very much alive, kicking, and probably working on a bit as we speak. This isn't the first time the comedian has been the victim of a celebrity death hoax, and honestly, in the current landscape of social media "click-farming," it probably won't be the last. People see a headline, they don't click the link, and they share it with a "RIP" caption. Before you know it, a guy who was just eating a sandwich in West Hollywood is suddenly trending as a ghost.
Why everyone keeps thinking Pauly Shore passed away
Rumors like this don't usually just appear out of thin air. They're often sparked by something specific, even if that "something" is totally misinterpreted. With Shore, it’s a mix of things.
First, there was that 2003 film Pauly Shore Is Dead. Yes, he literally wrote, directed, and starred in a mockumentary about faking his own death to drum up career interest. It’s a satirical look at Hollywood’s obsession with dead celebrities, featuring cameos from everyone from Ben Stiller to Sean Penn. Because the title of that movie is exactly what people type into Google, the search algorithms sometimes get confused. A twenty-year-old movie title ends up looking like a breaking news headline to an automated system or a distracted fan.
Then you have the more recent health scares. Shore has been open about his aging process and the toll that decades of touring takes on a person. When he posts a photo from a hospital bed or mentions a procedure, the rumor mill goes into overdrive.
The Richard Simmons connection
Another big reason Shore’s name has been in the "death" category lately involves the late, great Richard Simmons. When Simmons passed away in July 2024, Shore was deeply intertwined with the news cycle. Why? Because Pauly Shore had been pushing to play Simmons in a biopic.
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He even released a short film called The Court Jester where he portrayed the fitness icon. When Simmons actually died, the headlines featured both of their names constantly. If you’re skim-reading a notification on your lock screen that says "Pauly Shore... Richard Simmons... Dead," your brain might just mash them together. It’s a classic case of guilt—or in this case, grief—by association.
The anatomy of a celebrity death hoax
We've seen this happen to Jeff Goldblum, Tom Cruise, and even Cher. It follows a predictable, annoying pattern.
- A "junk" news site or a prank generator creates a fake headline.
- A bot net shares the link on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook.
- A few high-follower accounts retweet it without checking.
- The "In Memoriam" posts start appearing on TikTok with slow-motion montages.
By the time the actual celebrity posts a video of themselves at the gym to prove they're alive, the damage is done. The search term Pauly Shore is dead peaks, and for a few days, half the world thinks the Weasel has left the building.
It's actually kinda morbid if you think about it too much. We live in an era where "proof of life" is a social media requirement. If a celebrity doesn't post a Story for 48 hours, people start drafting the obituary.
What is the Weasel actually doing in 2026?
Shore hasn't retired. Not even close. He’s been leaning hard into the nostalgia circuit but also reinventing himself as a serious podcaster and documentarian. His podcast, Pauly Shore Podcast Show, has seen him sit down with some heavy hitters, showing a side of him that isn't just the high-pitched surfer dude persona from the MTV days.
He’s also been touring the country with his one-man show, "Stick to the Dancing." It's an autobiographical performance that's surprisingly vulnerable. He talks about growing up at The Comedy Store, his mother Mitzi Shore’s legendary (and intimidating) legacy, and what it’s like when the industry that once worshipped you suddenly stops calling.
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He's also been active on YouTube, sharing "vlog" style content that is raw and, at times, accidentally hilarious. He’s not playing a character as much anymore. He’s just Pauly. And honestly? That version of him is way more interesting than the caricatures we saw in the late 90s.
The Comedy Store legacy
You can't talk about Pauly without talking about 8433 Sunset Blvd. The Comedy Store is his literal childhood home. While he doesn't run the place—it’s managed by a trust—he is a fixture there.
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about the future of the Store and how it adapts to the "New Hollywood" and the podcasting boom. Shore has been vocal about maintaining the "dark, dingy, dangerous" vibe of the club that his mother built. For him, comedy isn't just a job; it's a family business that he’s trying to protect.
Dealing with the "washed up" label
Shore is self-aware. He knows he's often the butt of the joke. He’s leaned into it. That’s probably why the Pauly Shore Is Dead movie worked—it was a pre-emptive strike against his critics.
In a weird way, these death hoaxes are a sign of relevance. Nobody makes up a death rumor about someone they don't remember. The fact that the internet still tries to kill him off every six months means that people still care enough to click. It’s a backhanded compliment from the digital abyss.
He’s handled the rumors with a mix of annoyance and humor. Occasionally, he'll post a photo of himself holding a newspaper like a kidnap victim just to troll the people who think he’s gone. It’s the most "Pauly" way to handle a crisis.
How to verify celebrity news without getting duped
Before you share that "RIP" post and make things awkward for everyone, do a quick sanity check.
- Check the source. Is the news coming from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, or AP News? Or is it coming from a site called "News-Global-Zone-7.click"?
- Look at the verified tags. If a celebrity really passed, their family or their official social media accounts will usually post a statement within a few hours.
- The "Live" test. Check their Instagram Stories. If they posted a video of their dog three hours ago, they’re probably fine.
Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over truth. A post saying "Pauly Shore is alive and well" gets ten likes. A post saying "RIP Pauly Shore" gets ten thousand. That's the math of the modern internet. It’s annoying, it’s misleading, and it’s why we have to double-check everything.
The impact of his "death" on the fans
For a lot of Gen X and Millennials, Pauly Shore represents a specific kind of 90s optimism. He was the guy who didn't take anything seriously. His movies were "critically panned," sure, but they were also staples of every sleepover and rainy afternoon in 1994.
When people hear he’s dead, it’s not just about him; it’s about a piece of their youth disappearing. That’s why these rumors spread so fast. There’s an emotional "hook" that makes people want to react immediately.
But for now, the Weasel is still breathing, still touring, and still "crusting the grindage."
Actionable steps for fans and readers
Instead of falling for the next hoax, here is how you can actually engage with Shore’s work and support the artist:
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- Follow Official Channels: Stick to Pauly’s verified Instagram or X accounts for actual updates on his life and career.
- Watch the Biopic Content: Check out The Court Jester on YouTube to see his take on Richard Simmons. It’s actually quite moving and shows his range beyond the "slacker" roles.
- See Him Live: If he’s touring, go see his stand-up. It’s a much more intimate and honest experience than his 90s filmography might suggest.
- Report the Hoaxes: If you see a fake "breaking news" post on Facebook or X, report it as "Misleading Information." This helps train the algorithms to stop rewarding fake death news.
- Support The Comedy Store: If you’re in LA, visit the club. It’s the heart of the stand-up world and the house the Shore family built.
The next time you see a headline claiming Pauly Shore is dead, take a breath, check a reputable news wire, and remember that the Weasel has a history of outliving his own rumors. He’s busy working, staying healthy, and likely laughing at the fact that he’s trending once again.