Comedian Bo Burnham's alleged death is panicking his fans on social media.
Burnham had previously posted on his website that he would die on January 17, 2024, and recently wiped his social media of any posts. He had posted the claim previously on his website and mentioned it in an interview, saying he planned to die by suicide because his dog, a "bomeranian" breed, would die on or before that date, and he could not bear to live without him.
Newsweek reached out to Burnham's representatives by email for comment.
The comedian had posted an image to his website with text over it that read, "I came out of my mother's p**** on August 21st, 1990 and I will die on January 17, 2024. Also, I have a dog named Bruce, and I love him."
He was later quizzed about that statement in an interview.
"Oh, I kill myself because my dog's gonna die, who I just got. And I love him more than anything, and when he goes, I have to go," Burnham said, to which the interviewer asked: "So you just estimated when he's going to die?"
The comedian agreed.
Even though it appeared to be a joke by the comedian, who is known for his quirky style, the fact he deleted his social media has sent fans into overdrive, and many speculated it was a sign he would be releasing new material.
"GUYS BO BURNHAM CHANGED HIS PFP AND BANNER ON EVERYTHING HE IS DELETING EVERYTHING ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM NEW SPECIAL????? OUTSIDE??????" wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter.
Another wrote: "It's january 17, 2024 RIP Bo Burnham [crying emoji]."
Burnham went viral previously when an old video of his from 2016 resurfaced and was described as the perfect parody of country singer Jason Aldean.
The singer faced backlash in 2023 over his song and accompanying music video, "Try That in a Small Town." Critics of the song claimed it had a pro-gun message and racist undertones. Country Music Television (CMT) also pulled the track from the network for some of its images, including Aldean performing outside a courthouse where a Black man was lynched in the early 20th century.
Burnham's fans dug up his song "Country Song (Pandering)," which was featured in the Netflix comedy special Bo Burnham: Make Happy, and compared it to Aldean's track.
The comedian mocked modern country songs in the Netflix special, with lyrics about cold beer, dirt roads and pickup trucks in his parody.
"No shoes, no shirt, no Jews, you didn't hear that, sort of a mental typo. I walk and talk like a fieldhand, but the boots I'm wearing cost three grand. I write songs about riding tractors from the comfort of a private jet," Burnham sang.
"I could sing in Mandarin, you'd still know I'm pandering, hunting deer, chasing trout, a Bud Light with the logo facing out."
Many people took to X when the video resurfaced to compare it to Aldean's song, saying it was a great rebuttal to its controversial content.
"Just sitting here remembering that Bo Burnham did #JasonAldean's concept of a small town country song first and better," one person wrote.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Update 01/18/24, 7:57 a.m. ET. This article was updated with additional information and background.
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