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Rick Fox's Family Confirms He Was Not in Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash

The NBA star and actor is alive and well

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Lindsay MacDonald

TV Guide has confirmed that former NBA star and actor Rick Fox is alive and well. After reports surfaced that Fox was one of the passengers killed in Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash, the actor's friends and family took to Twitter to clear the air.

Shortly after reports of Fox's fate started surfacing, his step-daugther, Jillian Hervey, tweeted, "To confirm my stepdad Rick Fox is ALIVE and safe! I just got off the phone with my sister. We are all in shock and deeply saddened but please don't spread false news. #ripkobe."

Kobe Bryant, Lakers legend and NBA great, dies at 41 in helicopter crash

Additionally, Jared Greenberg, host for NBATV tweeted, "I have personally communicated with Rick Fox via text since the news about Kobe dying came out PLEASE STOP spreading 'news' unless you personally can confirm it!"

A representative for Fox also confirmed to TV Guide that reports that the actor was involved in the crash were not true.

Eventually, Fox, himself, tweeted about the accident, though he made no mention of his reported death in the crash. "Kobe and Gianna may your souls and the souls of the others who were with you Rest In Peace," Fox wrote. "My condolences and prayers go out to Kobe's wife Vanessa, his daughters and the Bryant Family. I Love You Kobe and will miss you dearly."

TMZ first reported the news that 41-year-old Bryant had been killed when his helicopter went down in Calabasas along with four other passengers. The LA County Sheriff's Office later confirmed at a press conference that nine people were killed in the crash, eight passengers and one pilot. Speculation about who else was on the helicopter surged, and reports that both Fox as well as Bryant's daughters were on the flight surfaced. Current reports indicate that one of Bryant's daughters, Gianna Maria Onore -- a.k.a. GiGi -- was also killed in the crash.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with details from the LA County Sheriff's Office.

​Rick Fox, Build Series

Rick Fox, Build Series