If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you might’ve seen some pretty scary headlines. Specifically, people are panicking over searches about Sherri Shepherd son passed away, and honestly, it’s enough to make anyone’s heart drop. When you’ve followed Sherri’s journey for years—from The View to her own smash-hit talk show—you feel like you know her family. You know Jeffrey.
But here is the truth, plain and simple.
Jeffrey Tarpley Jr. is alive. He is not just okay; he’s actually thriving. As of early 2026, he’s been right by his mom's side, even showing up to support her as she hits the road for her "Make It Make Sense" comedy tour.
So why the heck is everyone searching for something so tragic? It's a mix of internet hoaxes, old health scares, and the way the "celebrity death" algorithm works. It’s gross, but it’s the reality of being a public figure. Let’s get into what’s actually going on with Jeffrey and why those rumors keep popping up like a bad penny.
The Origin of the Health Scares
To understand why people click on things like "Sherri Shepherd son passed away," you have to go back to the beginning. Jeffrey’s entry into this world was anything but easy.
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Born in 2005, Jeffrey was a micro-preemie. We’re talking 25 weeks. He weighed only 1 pound and 10 ounces. When a baby is that small, the doctors don’t give you a lot of hope. Sherri has been incredibly open about those early days in the NICU, describing it as a "war zone" of tubes and beeping monitors. Doctors told her he might never walk or talk. They predicted paralysis.
He spent four months in the hospital before he could even go home. That kind of trauma stays with a mother. It also stays with a fanbase. Because Sherri shared that vulnerability, people have always been "on guard" regarding Jeffrey's health.
Developmental Challenges and "Special Needs"
Jeffrey does have developmental delays. Sherri calls him her "perfectly imperfect" boy. Over the years, she’s talked about the challenges of raising a child with special needs—the IEP meetings, the speech therapy, the fear of what happens when he grows up.
In 2021, she shared a story that likely fueled some of these dark search trends. She talked about a "vision" she had of Jeffrey at five years old, crying because he couldn't find "heaven," which is where everyone said his mommy was. She used that vision as motivation to manage her Type 2 diabetes. She didn't want him to be alone.
People often skim headlines. They see "Sherri Shepherd," "Son," and "Heaven," and suddenly the internet is convinced a tragedy occurred. It's a game of digital telephone where the message gets more morbid with every share.
High School Graduation and Independence
If you want proof that Jeffrey is doing great, look at 2023 and 2024. He graduated high school!
Sherri was a mess. A total "puddle of tears" mess. She posted videos of him in his cap and gown, and it was a massive middle finger to every doctor who said he wouldn't make it. He even gave a speech. Well, a speech where he thanked his "bae" (his girlfriend) and totally forgot to mention Sherri, which she joked about for weeks on her show.
Recently, Sherri talked about the big move to New York for her talk show. She was terrified. She didn't want to leave her support system in LA. But a friend told her, "New York isn't for you; it's for Jeffrey."
And it was.
He’s been taking the A train to Queens to see the Mets. He’s navigating the subway. For a kid who was told he’d be paralyzed, riding the New York City subway alone is basically a superhero feat.
Why the "Passed Away" Rumors Persist
The internet is a weird place. There are these "clickbait" sites that use AI to generate articles with tragic titles just to get ad revenue. They see that Sherri Shepherd is trending because of her tour or a funny clip on TikTok, and they pair her name with "tragedy" or "passed away" to bait people into clicking.
The "Death Hoax" Cycle
- The Hook: A vague post on Facebook says "Sad news for Sherri Shepherd."
- The Panic: Fans start searching "did Sherri Shepherd's son pass away?"
- The Algorithm: Google sees everyone searching for it and starts suggesting the phrase.
- The Confirmation Bias: People see the search suggestion and assume it must be true.
It's a cycle that feeds on itself. It’s also important to remember that Sherri has another son, Lamar Jr., born via surrogacy during her marriage to Lamar Sally. While there has been a ton of legal drama and custody battles surrounding LJ, he is also healthy and living with his father.
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What Sherri Says About Her Son Today
Sherri is currently in the middle of her 2026 comedy tour, and Jeffrey is a huge part of her set. She talks about him being a young man now. He’s interested in comedy, just like her. He’s been taking improv classes.
She recently shared that he’s become her "best friend" in many ways. They have this bond that was forged in that NICU room 20 years ago. She doesn't treat him like a "special needs kid" anymore; she treats him like a man who just happens to navigate the world a little differently.
Honestly, the only "tragedy" here is that people are wasting time mourning a kid who is out here living his best life.
How to Fact-Check Celeb Rumors
If you see a headline that seems too crazy to be true, it probably is. Especially when it comes to something as heavy as a child passing away. Here is how I usually check:
- Check the Source: Is it a reputable site like People, The Hollywood Reporter, or Variety? If it's "CelebNews24-7.click," keep scrolling.
- Look at Social Media: Sherri is very active on Instagram (@sherrieshepherd). If something happened, she wouldn't be posting about her favorite wig or her latest guest.
- Search for "Hoax": Often, Snopes or other fact-checking sites catch these within hours.
Staying Informed
It’s easy to get sucked into the drama. We love these celebrities, and we care about their families. But when it comes to the Sherri Shepherd son passed away rumors, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Jeffrey Tarpley Jr. is very much alive, kicking, and probably making his mom laugh right now.
If you want to support Sherri, the best thing you can do is watch her show or catch her on tour. She’s turned her struggles into comedy that heals people. That’s the real story—not some fake internet rumor.
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Moving forward, if you're looking for updates on Jeffrey's journey or Sherri's career, stick to her official channels. You'll get the real, unfiltered, and thankfully happy news directly from the source.
Next Steps: You might want to check out Sherri’s recent interviews on her YouTube channel, where she often gives "Jeffrey updates." It’s a great way to see how much progress he’s made since those early graduation videos.