The Pillsbury Doughboy death hoax is one of the most well-known food-related humorous internet jokes. First reported sometime around 2004, the viral obituary has tricked countless people with its shocking believable headline and expertly written pun-filled text.
What Really Happened to the Pillsbury Doughboy?
Nothing. The Pillsbury Doughboy is not dead – he continues to be “alive” and advertising commercials even now. The entire story of the Pillsbury Doughboy death was a large prank that circulated like wildfire by email forwards and antiquated social networking sites.
As stated in the fabricated obituary, the beloved character apparently died from a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly – at the age of 71. The obituary also noted that he was “buried in a lightly greased coffin,” and attended by celebrity mourners including Mrs. Butterworth, Captain Crunch, Aunt Jemima, to name a few.
The Genius Behind This Viral Joke
What made this hoax about the Pillsbury Doughboy’s death so believable? Simply the comedic timing and the inventive wordplay. The obit reads as a “news article” until you see the very puns referring to bread, such as “he never knew how much he was kneaded” and “the grave site was piled high with flours” should clue you in – that just sounds absurd on the face of it.
The joke works due to the inclusion of an actual obit structure and attributes in the suggested obituary. There are references to the wife “Play Dough” and the children “John Dough” and “Jane Dough,” biographical material, and even a reference to funeral logistics. The funeral was “held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes” – clearly a reference to baking temps and times.
Why People Still Fall for It
After more than twenty years later, the Pillsbury Doughboy death story is still going around. New users on the Internet discover the item ongoingly, typically through a Reddit post or sent from a friend or family member. The long shelf life of this joke can largely be attributed to the stable delivery of the story and the fact “deaths” of mascots are not all that unusual in advertising.
There are slight variations in the retelling of the tale (Doughboy died when he was 51, or 71, or 81) but the basic components remain the same. It added a level of credibility that at the time Pillsbury was indeed retiring some of their advertising campaigns, and it had people thinking there were possibly changes going on behind the curtain too.
The Pillsbury Doughboy death hoax is a good example of how immaculately constructed / delivered internet humor can be an everlasting joke. Like the bib-overall and white beret wearing iconic character himself, this joke will surely “rise again” because someone is likely to need a good chuckle from their favorite baking brand mascot.
FAQ: Pillsbury Doughboy Death Hoax
Did the Pillsbury Doughboy really die?
No, the Pillsbury Doughboy didn’t actually die. He’s a fictional mascot character who’s still actively used in Pillsbury commercials today. The “Pillsbury Doughboy death” story is an internet joke that’s been circulating since around 2004, designed to fool people with a fake obituary filled with clever bread-related puns.
What caused the fake Pillsbury Doughboy death story?
The hoax obituary claims the Doughboy died from “a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly” at age 71 (though some versions say 51 or 81). The story was purely created for comedic purposes and features puns throughout, like being “buried in a lightly greased coffin” with the “grave site piled high with flours.”
When did the Pillsbury Doughboy death hoax start?
The viral fake obituary first appeared online around 2004 and spread rapidly through email forwards and early social media platforms. It’s remained popular for over 20 years, with new versions resurfacing regularly on Reddit, Facebook, and other platforms, continuing to fool unsuspecting readers who haven’t encountered it before.
Who attended the fake Pillsbury Doughboy funeral?
According to the joke obituary, celebrity mourners included Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, Hostess Twinkies, Uncle Ben, and Captain Crunch. Aunt Jemima supposedly delivered the eulogy, describing Doughboy as “a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.” The funeral was held “at 3:50 for about 20 minutes” – a reference to baking temperatures and times.
Who are the Pillsbury Doughboy’s surviving family members?
The fake obituary claims Doughboy is survived by his wife “Play Dough,” children “John Dough,” “Jane Dough,” and “Dosey Dough,” plus “one in the oven.” His father was supposedly “Pop Tart.” These are all fictional names created as part of the elaborate pun-filled joke.
Is the Pillsbury Doughboy still used in advertising?
Yes, the Pillsbury Doughboy (officially named “Poppin’ Fresh”) is still an active mascot for Pillsbury products and appears in commercials regularly. He was created in 1965 by copywriter Rudy Perz at the Leo Burnett advertising agency and has been a beloved American advertising icon for 60 years.
Why do people keep falling for this hoax?
The joke works because it follows legitimate obituary formatting, includes realistic biographical details, and sounds plausible at first glance. Many people don’t notice the bread puns scattered throughout until they’ve already shared it. The hoax gains new victims regularly as younger internet users encounter it for the first time or receive it as a forwarded message from friends and family.
What makes this hoax so effective?
The obituary’s effectiveness comes from its masterful wordplay and attention to detail. Phrases like “he never knew how much he was kneaded,” “his later life was filled with turnovers,” and “considered a positive roll model” sound somber until readers realize they’re elaborate puns. The combination of fake news formatting with clever humor makes it both believable and shareable.
