# 2023 SDMB Celebrity Death Pool **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2022, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831 "2022-12-01T04:02:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 111
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2201 "2023-12-31T03:00:05Z")
> **[Pope.L, the Provocative Performance Artist, Has Died at Age 68](https://news.artnet.com/art-world/william-pope-l-obituary-2414654)** > > William Pope.L, the performance artist whose provocative works surfaced the complexities of race and class in America, has died aged 68.   ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2202 "2023-12-31T05:34:43Z")
Pope Benedict last year. Pope.L this year. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2203 "2023-12-31T18:38:51Z")
> **[Mbongeni Ngema, South African playwright and creator of 'Sarafina!,' has died...](https://www.npr.org/2023/12/28/1221946731/mbongeni-ngema-south-african-creator-sarafina-dies-68)** > > Renowned South African playwright Mbongeni Ngema was killed in a car crash, his family said. He was best known for creating the hit "Sarafina!," which premiered on Broadway in 1988. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2204 "2023-12-31T20:36:31Z")
Shecky Greene dead at 97. [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/comic-legend-shecky-greene-dies-at-97-2973752/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjvqsCiw7qDAxXcm2oFHe8zAH0Qr\_oDKAB6BAhnEAE&usg=AOvVaw2KDog0qtF8MQZKsVuuafQ\_](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/comic-legend-shecky-greene-dies-at-97-2973752/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjvqsCiw7qDAxXcm2oFHe8zAH0Qr_oDKAB6BAhnEAE&usg=AOvVaw2KDog0qtF8MQZKsVuuafQ_) ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2205 "2023-12-31T20:38:29Z")
Nascar legend Cale Yarborough dead at 94. [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article283687968.html&ved=2ahUKEwiOu9\_Kw7qDAxWilGoFHQKyCeMQ2LwJegQIFRAB&usg=AOvVaw3MWBrLZgGESyrWzeUogl\_u](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article283687968.html&ved=2ahUKEwiOu9_Kw7qDAxWilGoFHQKyCeMQ2LwJegQIFRAB&usg=AOvVaw3MWBrLZgGESyrWzeUogl_u) ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2206 "2023-12-31T20:41:17Z")
Cale is on my themed lists for 2023 and 2024. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2207 "2024-01-01T04:27:34Z")
Barring any last minute mirac——uh, bloodbaths, I’ll finish 22 for the year. Eh, not bad. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2208 "2024-01-01T04:49:03Z")
> **[John Pilger: Campaigning Australian journalist dies](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67853392)** > > Also a filmmaker, he was a vocal critic of Western foreign policy throughout his career. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2209 "2024-01-01T05:27:18Z")
It’s about half an hour to midnight. Just want to let you all know I will be waiting until early tomorrow evening to post official results and awards, although knowing you folks you will have worked them out. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2210 "2024-01-01T06:31:53Z")
I got a whopping zilch, zip, nada, for which I fully expect a special award 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2211 "2024-01-01T07:45:37Z")
Well, I know I said I was going to wait until later today to announce the winners, but what the heck, I went ahead and got the winners worked out. The Opening Kickoff Award was won by **GIGObuster** and **It’s Not Rocket Surgery** for their selection of Gianluca Viallii **Mahaloth** got the Final Hours Award for Don Wildmon **Paul Was In Saudi** got the Quantity Not Quality Award. Six picks, only 16 points though. **Happy Lendervedder** , **phungi** , **Mahaloth** and **Guano Lad** each had two unique picks for the Inside Track With the Grim Reaper Award **Happy Lendervedder** and **candide** share the Robbing the Cradle Award, for Rodion Amarov and Faye Fantarrow, respectively. Now, sound the trumpets and throw the confetti!!! **Happy Lendervedder** won the game, with 201 points. Yayyyyyyy. I really hope I made the awards correctly. Wouldn’t want to break anyone’s heart and change things. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2212 "2024-01-01T08:02:27Z")
I believe that I’ve tied my record with one unique pick. The first unique pick was Honor Blackman. This year, I got Ken Mattingly. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2213 "2024-01-01T08:08:09Z")
I got one unique pick too, for Ben Ferencz. No points though, he was 101. Last year I did the same thing, getting a unique pick for Gail Halvorsen, also over a hundred. BTW, I love your thumbnail. I’m a fan of his. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2214 "2024-01-01T08:24:02Z")
I can’t complain, I got a decent score and an award. Hurrah! 🎉 ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2215 "2024-01-01T08:54:42Z")
Thanks to Baker and all the contributors. Love the comments and picks each year. Hawaii (Oahu) is under seige based on the near constant explosions from fireworks 🎆 And that’s after the police, Coast Guard, feds seized 3 entire containers of illegal fireworks. 105,000 lbs. in all over the last few weeks. Not even a dent in the festivities. Now back to boarding the handbasket to Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2216 "2024-01-01T09:05:09Z")
Thanks. I’m a huge fan of his, too, obviously. Seen him in concert twice and met him after one of his shows. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2217 "2024-01-01T11:54:21Z")
13th place for me, by far my best result. Thanks for all your efforts, Baker! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2218 "2024-01-01T12:05:22Z")
[Shecky Greene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shecky_Greene) died last night before midnight. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2219 "2024-01-01T12:21:22Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Shecky Greene dead at 97. > [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > [Shecky Greene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shecky_Greene) died last night before midnight. (previously noted) mmm ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831/2220 "2024-01-01T13:13:29Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > (previously noted) I want you to know I do check before i post. I just seem to do it poorly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831.md?page=110) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/975831.md?page=112)