Robert Duvall NZ cliff death reports a hoax

Claims that top Hollywood actor Robert Duvall died while filming a movie in New Zealand have been unmasked as an online hoax.

Twitter and other social media started circulating the Academy Award winner's death - falling 60-ft down 'Kauri Cliffs' - earlier this week.

Duvall is one of many celebrities who've reportedly died on the Kauri Cliffs, including Jeff Goldblum and Tom Cruise.

Many posts included a link to an apparently legitimate news website that confirmed the 'breaking news'.

"Preliminary reports from New Zealand Police officials indicate that the actor fell more than 60-feet to his death on the Kauri Cliffs while on-set. Specific details are not yet available," the spoof article says.

However, the 'Global Associated News' website is a fake, set up specifically for circulating false stories.

Duvall has joined a growing list of celebrities falsely declared dead after falling at Kauri Cliffs.

Outrageous Fortune star Robyn Malcolm was "sickened'' to learn she had "died'' at Kauri Cliffs in a fake report last year.

She joins an esteemed list of celebrity death hoaxes at the beauty spot, including Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Jeff Goldblum, Orlando Bloom and Russell Crowe.

Also wrongly proclaimed dead this month - though not in New Zealand - include funnyman Bill Cosby, 'Science Guy' Bill Nye, and John Cena who "died'' while practicing a move with The Rock.