- The internet went into a frenzy thinking Crocodile Dundee Star died
- It was a case of mistaken identity
- The crocodile from the movie, Burt, was the one who died
A Crocodile Dundee star has sadly passed – just not the one you think.
We have lost many icons this year, including Maggie Smith, Liam Payne, and Quincy Jones. But now, we can add an animal—not a person—to that list.
The internet has gone into a frenzy, once again thinking someone else has died. However, it’s not who you think. This morning, it was announced that a Crocodile Dundee star passed away, but not Paul Hogan. No, it was Burt the crocodile.
Hogan starred as Crocodile Dundee in the 1986 movie. He played the eccentric poacher in the franchise from 1986 until 2001. The original movie features Hogan as he befriends Sue (Linda Kozlowski), a journalist sent to interview him. When he rescues her, they head back to New York City together.
Currently, Hogan is 85 years old, so naturally, when the news broke, people thought the worst. However, it turns out this was a misunderstanding.
However, it was his older counterpart, Burt who sadly passed away at the approximate age of 90.
With the crocodile’s passing, everyone is buzzing online—so what did the internet have to say? Keep reading to find out.
Who is Burt the Crocodile in Crocodile Dundee?
Our reptilian friend Burt is an icon in his own right. Burt has his film credit from appearing in the 1986 Crocodile Dundee film. The iconic photo of Hogan posing next to the croc has remained ingrained in our brains since the movie’s release.
The croc was captured in the 1980s before the movie came out. In a statement on Facebook, his carers at Crocosaurus Cove confirmed his death.
They wrote: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Burt, the iconic Saltwater crocodile and star of the Australian classic Crocodile Dundee. Burt passed away peacefully over the weekend, estimated to be over 90 years old, marking the end of an incredible era.
“Burt’s life story is one of strength, resilience, and a personality as bold as the Top End itself. Captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River, Burt became one of the most recognized crocodiles in the world, appearing in Crocodile Dundee and helping to shape Australia’s image as a land of rugged natural beauty and awe-inspiring wildlife.”
Burt came to the haven in 2008. They describe him as a “bachelor” and as a being with a “raw and untamed spirit” like his species.
How did the internet react to Burt’s Death?
Mistakenly many people posted tributes to Hogan, who is still alive and well.
Many responses to the news outlets’ articles about the death on social media seem to imply that Hogan had died. One user on X wrote: “For a split second I thought Paul Hogan was dead.”
Many others echoed this sentiment, with people confused about whether Hogan died or not.
Another account wrote a touching tribute to Hogan. After learning it was Burt and not Hogan who died, the admin of the account corrected their statement. They also clarified that Burt, the “Croc Co-star”, as they called him, was the one who passed. What a nickname, what a legacy.
Others who bothered to read the article titles paid tribute to the beloved reptilian.
Lina said: “I met Burt in Darwin. Nice guy.” She shared a video of Burt in the water living his best life.
Another user shared a cinematic tribute to Burt, calling him “A giant of the cinema”. What an obituary that would be.
The user wrote: “Burt the Croc, the star of Crocodile Dundee (1986) starring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski has passed away at the age of 90. Burt was nearly 17 ft long and weighed 700kgs. He was also the basis of the giant croc in Rogue (2007)”.
Another user crudely joked about the crocodile’s passing, writing: “Shoes, handbag or belt?”
Luckily for him, he escaped becoming a Birkin bag. Rest in peace, big boy.
