NATIONAL | November 3, 2026
Quick Take
- Jerry Fort, the 25-year-old gamer who went viral hoping to live long enough to play GTA 6, died on October 29.
- He had battled interstitial lung disease since age 17 and received a lung transplant after fans raised more than $96,000.
- His family shared the news on his TikTok account, thanking supporters who made his final months special.
What’s happening?
The gaming community is mourning Jerry Fort, a young TikTok creator known online as Void Only. His simple wish to live long enough to play Grand Theft Auto VI touched hundreds of thousands of people this summer.
A family member confirmed his death in a TikTok video posted on November 2. Fort died after a series of severe infections and health complications that followed his transplant surgery.
Where and when?
Fort posted his first viral video from a hospital intensive care unit on August 8. In it, he explained that his lungs could no longer keep up and that he would stay in the ICU until he received a transplant. He said the one thing he still wanted was to play GTA 6.
He later underwent the transplant, but weeks before his death he developed a serious infection. Doctors recommended palliative care, but he chose to keep fighting with life support. On October 28, his condition worsened and he told his family he was ready to stop fighting. A new infection developed overnight, and he died the next day, October 29.
By the Numbers
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Jerry Fort’s age | 25 |
| Age when lung disease began | 17 |
| Original fundraising goal | $15,000 |
| Total raised | More than $96,000 |
Who was Jerry Fort?
Fort lived with interstitial lung disease for eight years. The condition causes scarring of the lung tissue, which made every breath harder over time and left him dependent on oxygen.
His mother, Paris Fort, started a GoFundMe campaign titled Help My Son Reach His Lung Transplant. The money was meant to cover transplant costs, relocation for specialized care, and living expenses while she took months off work to help him recover. In her fundraiser, she described her son as someone who always pushed through pain to show up for the people he loved.
Fort called himself a deeply spiritual person. In his first video, he said he hoped to make it through, but that even if he did not, where he was going would be great.
Who feels it most?
His family is grieving a son and brother who spent the last months of his life surrounded by support from strangers around the world. In their update, they thanked everyone who donated, shared his story, and sent messages of encouragement.
Gamers are also feeling the loss. Many had followed his journey since August, and Fort had promised to stream GTA 6 for his supporters once he recovered. Tributes have filled social media, with fans sharing his videos and memories of his positive spirit.
What comes next?
GTA 6 is set to launch on November 19, 2026, about three weeks after Fort’s death. Many fans have said they plan to honor him when the game arrives, and some are calling on Rockstar Games to recognize his story.
His family has not yet announced memorial arrangements.
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