# 2025 SDMB Celebrity Death Pool **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2024, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010 "2024-12-01T05:01:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 106
**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 21, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2101 "2025-12-21T00:17:08Z")
> **[Lou Cannon, Journalist and Ronald Reagan Biographer, Dies at 92](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/lou-cannon-journalist-and-ronald-reagan-biographer-dies-at-92/)** > > Lou Cannon, the journalist who interviewed Ronald Reagan over 50 times, died Friday, Dec. 19, of complications from a stroke. He was 92. > **[Joseph Byrd, United States of America Bandleader, Dies at 87](https://pitchfork.com/news/joseph-byrd-united-states-of-america-bandleader-dies-at-87/)** > > The experimental composer brought electronic sound and radical ideas into the psych-rock genre ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2102 "2025-12-21T17:10:42Z")
Mick Abrahams the original guitar player for Jethro Tull dead at 82. He was only on the first album. > **[Original Jethro Tull Guitarist and Blodwyn Pig Founder Dead at 82](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/mick-abrahams-dead/)** > > See what his replacement in Jethro Tull had to say about the "magnificent guitar player." ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2103 "2025-12-21T17:11:31Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > TCM has made their “TCM Remembers 2025” Aw, geez! I didn’t know Samantha Eggar had died. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2104 "2025-12-21T20:29:05Z")
James Ransone, ‘The Wire’ actor, dead by suicide at 46 > **[James Ransone, ‘The Wire’ actor, dead by suicide at 46](https://nypost.com/2025/12/21/entertainment/the-wire-actor-james-ransone-dies-by-suicide-at-46/)** > > The late actor played Ziggy Sobotka in “The Wire.” ---
**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 21, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2105 "2025-12-21T23:32:41Z")
Won an Oscar for Amadeus. > **[Theodor Pištěk, Czech Oscar-winning costume designer, dies at 93](https://apnews.com/article/czech-pistek-amadeus-oscar-forman-fc975300e465697e73b64529740cfdcb)** > > Theodor Pištěk, a Czech costume and stage designer, has died at 93. His family has confirmed his death. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2106 "2025-12-22T15:30:13Z")
No more [“Driving Home for Christmas”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDt3u2Ev1cI) for Chris Rea. > **[Chris Rea: Driving Home for Christmas singer dies aged 74](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c0q5g3v02qjt)** > > A statement from his wife and two children says he "passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family". ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2107 "2025-12-22T16:04:26Z")
Rea was an older surprise star in the 1980’s in Europe, deserving his success. Hearing of his passing, I also recalled his massive health issues in this millennium. He would’ve made a really good candidate in this macabre game. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2108 "2025-12-22T16:04:50Z")
I never heard that song, but “Fool If You Think It’s Over” is nigh unavoidable on some of my Sirius XM stations. ---
**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 22, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2109 "2025-12-22T16:40:25Z")
> **[Betty Reid Soskin, oldest National Park Service ranger, dies at 104](https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/betty-soskin-nps-ranger-dies/4001532/)** > > Betty Reid Soskin, an iconic former National Park Service ranger, has died, according to her family. She was 104. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2110 "2025-12-22T23:38:58Z")
Vince Zampella, creator of the video game series Call of Duty, has died at age 54. Car accident. > **[Vince Zampella, video game developer behind 'Call of Duty' franchise, killed...](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/video-game-developer-vince-zampella-crash-call-of-duty/3819576/)** > > Vince Zampella is the former CEO of video game developers Infinity Ward, the studio behind the wildly successful "Call of Duty" franchise. ---
**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:** [December 23, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2111 "2025-12-23T01:07:58Z")
> **[Helen Siff, ‘Hail, Caesar!’ and ‘You Don’t Mess With the Zohan’ Character...](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/helen-siff-dead-hail-caesar-character-actor-1236614923/)** > > Helen Siff, a character actress known for roles in ‘Hail, Caesar!’ and ‘You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,’ died Thursday in Los Angeles. age 88 ---
**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 23, 2025, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2112 "2025-12-23T06:13:48Z")
[Charles Norman Shay](https://honoraryunsubscribe.com/charles-norman-shay/), combat medic, D-Day veteran, author, and first American Indian inducted into France’s Legion of Honor. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2113 "2025-12-24T14:32:51Z")
Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki has died of Colon-rectal Cancer at age 78/ Jumbo was a pro golfer who won 94 times on the Japan golf Tour. He played a few tournaments on the US PGA Tour but his game never traveled well outside Japan. He had Top 10’s in the Masters, US Open and British Open. Jumbo had two younger that have had success on the Japan golf tour. > **[Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki, winningest Japanese golf professional in history, dies...](https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2025/12/23/masashi-jumbo-ozaki-winningest-japanese-golf-professional-in-history-dies-at-age-78)** > > Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, the winningest Japanese golf professional in history, passed away Dec. 23 at the age of 78. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2114 "2025-12-24T15:34:20Z")
On my personal list of nicknames, “Jumbo” is the very last one I would like to be called. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2115 "2025-12-24T17:30:57Z")
Maybe it means something different in Japan? I assume you’re thinking of Jumbo as in elephant. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2116 "2025-12-24T20:12:21Z")
Prolific “That Guy!” actor Pat Finn is off the call sheet at 60. > **[Pat Finn, 'Friends' and 'The Middle' Actor, Dies at 60](https://people.com/pat-finn-the-middle-friends-actor-dead-60-11875911)** > > Pat Finn died on Monday, Dec. 22 at 60 after battling cancer. He was known for his role as Bill Norwood on 'The Middle' and also appeared in shows like 'Seinfeld' in his early career. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2117 "2025-12-24T21:03:59Z")
Joe Mayo! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2118 "2025-12-25T08:10:41Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Maybe it means something different in Japan? I assume you’re thinking of Jumbo as in elephant. I immediately think of former NFL player Jumbo Elliot. He’s 6’7” 300 something pounds. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2119 "2025-12-25T12:26:43Z")
The story I have always heard is that Jumbo the elephant was named the Swahili word for “Hello,” which is something like “Jambe,” because the elephant responded positively to the word, and so was thought to be friendly. He was given the name to emphasize this characteristic, rather than something that would make him out to be fierce, because he was marketed as a “gentle giant.” His skeleton is preserved and on display, so it’s been measured, and he was a very big African elephant, and quite possibly the largest one in captivity in his time. I’ve heard men’s names from language backgrounds near the area Jumbo was from, and some of them are similar to Jumbo, like Mjombo. It’s also not impossible that he was just given an ordinary name, and it was corrupted by English speakers to Jumbo. At any rate, Japanese is a language that thrives on loan words, like English does. It is just as likely to have absorbed “Jumbo” from English, as it is to have gotten “Jambe” from Swahili, and English speakers hear as the closest word they know, which is Jumbo. Or, it could just coincidentally be a Japanese word that sounds like “Jumbo.” Does anyone know whether Japanese has the “J:” sound? ---
**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 25, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010/2120 "2025-12-25T22:10:26Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Does anyone know whether Japanese has the “J:” sound? I would assume yes based on the most prevalent romanization transliteration system: > **[Hepburn romanization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepburn_romanization)** > > Hepburn (Japanese: ヘボン式ローマ字, romanized: Hebon-shiki rōmaji, lit. 'Hepburn-style Roman letters') is the main system of romanization for the Japanese language. The system was originally published in 1867 by American Christian missionary and physician James Curtis Hepburn as the standard in the first edition of his Japanese–English dictionary. The system is distinct from other romanization methods in its use of English orthography to phonetically transcribe sounds: for example, the syllable \[ɕi\] ... ETA: Also, Japanese films with J sounds in the title. (E.g. Yojimbo) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010.md?page=105) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-sdmb-celebrity-death-pool/1011010.md?page=107)