Yes, I am quite aware that I opened my last article with a fake news story about President George W. Bush being dead in attacking the new Bush assassination docudrama. However, this article is not written in jest or as a method of attacking anything – it is for real.

"Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, 44, died early Monday morning (11:00 a.m. local time) after being impaled by a stingray barb that pierced his body through the chest, hitting the Australian-born television figure's heart and killing him.

Irwin was born in Melbourne, Australia, and was the owner and manager of the Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, Australia. He became a huge pop figure in Australia and in the international community as a result of his documentary series called "The Crocodile Hunter" that first started in 1991. Since then, Irwin has become synonymous with crocs and Australian-based animals although he would travel to various other places in his show.

In 2002, Irwin and his wife, Terri (shown in the picture on the left), starred in their own feature-length movie called "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course." Although the film did not go as well as Irwin hoped, it did well enough and should (I dread to say it but it is true) see a slight spark in purchases over the next few months.

Unfortunately, any copies of Irwin's recent ESPN Sportscenter commercial on YouTube or any other hosting communities I can find are available because they have been taken down. In the ad, Irwin is chatting with one of the ESPN announcers in front of an elevator, ironically, talking about how "every time I do my bootlaces up, I'm staring death right in the eye - how about baseballers are doing that?" before the elevator doors open to show the University of Florida mascot - a gator. Irwin immediately pounces on the mascot and tries to control him in a similar fashion to what he did in his documentary series.

Irwin's death came during the filming of a documentary on underwater life. Rumors on Wikipedia claim that the film was supposed to help demystify the stingray as one of its various goals. The incident occurred in the Batt Reef off of the Low Isles, Queensland, Australia.

The "Croc Hunter" is survived by his wife and two children, Bindi Sui Irwin (born in 1998) and Robert Clarence Irwin (born in 2003). His dog, Sui, a popular figure on his documentary series, passed away in 2004.

Irwin will always be remembered for his love of animals and crocodiles through his series and his efforts to protect natural wildlife through the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, International Crocodile Rescue and various other groups. His wild but enjoyable antics on television coupled with his catchphrases like "Crikey!" or "Oh, she's a beauty! (when referring to various animals)" will always leave a warm feeling in the heart of his family, friends and fans.

(Photo Credit: http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00218/Steve_Irwin_og_kona_218063c.jpg)