# 2026 Celebrity Death Pool **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 2, 2025, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318 "2025-12-02T04:28:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 51
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1002 "2026-03-24T23:17:09Z")
> **[Ted Nichols, Famed Hanna-Barbera Composer on ‘The Flintstones’ and...](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ted-nichols-dead-scooby-doo-flintstones-hanna-barbera-1236544041/)** > > He also worked on ‘Jonny Quest,’ ‘Space Ghost,’ ‘Wacky Races’ and many other other shows at the cartoon factory for nearly a decade. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1003 "2026-03-25T00:20:24Z")
Chip Taylor, who wrote the songs “Angel of the Morning” and “Wild Thing,” has died at the age of 86. > **[Chip Taylor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_Taylor)** > > James Wesley Voight (March 21, 1940 – March 23, 2026), known professionally as Chip Taylor, was an American songwriter and singer noted for writing "Angel of the Morning" and "Wild Thing". > Taylor was born in Yonkers, New York on March 21, 1940. He was the brother of actor Jon Voight and geologist Barry Voight and the uncle of actress Angelina Jolie and actor James Haven. Taylor and his brothers attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York. In 1961, Taylor attended the Uni... Also happened to be Jon Voight’s younger brother and Angelina Jolie’s uncle. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2026, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1004 "2026-03-25T07:21:32Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > pickleball accident I saw them when they opened for Strange Fruit. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2026, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1005 "2026-03-25T14:17:35Z")
There is very little detail on this, other than a “freak accident”… falling forwards or sideways from “ground level” rarely results in a head trauma, as we have protective responses (e.g., stopping the fall with our arms), so I wonder if he hit the metal pole that holds the net, or was trying to hit on overhead shot and fell backwards striking his head? ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1006 "2026-03-25T14:24:06Z")
Somewhat related to the pickleball accident, a tennis linesman (Dick Wertheim) was killed when a serve from Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg hit him in the ….ahem… groin and he fell and hit his head > **[Dick Wertheim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Wertheim)** > > Richard Wertheim (c. 1923—September 15, 1983) was an American tennis linesman who suffered a fatal injury on September 10, 1983, during a match at the 1983 US Open. He was injured when Stefan Edberg sent an errant serve directly into his groin. Wertheim was sitting in a chair and officiating at the center line. The blow knocked him backwards and he fell out of the chair onto the hardcourt surface, striking his head. He had a history of chronic cardiovascular disease, having had a heart > This A... ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1007 "2026-03-25T20:46:55Z")
I didn’t even know he was sick. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1008 "2026-03-26T01:57:06Z")
> Kidder won the [Pulitzer prize](https://www.theguardian.com/books/pulitzerprize) and the National Book Award for his 1981 work **The Soul of a New Machine** , which delved into the work of a fledgling computer company long before most people cared about the inner workings of Silicon Valley. > **[Tracy Kidder, Pulitzer-winning author who turned unlikely subjects into...](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/25/tracy-kidder-dies-aged-80)** > > Writer looked to topics such as computer engineering and life in a nursing home to produce richly researched books He was 80 when he died. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1009 "2026-03-26T12:27:11Z")
Musician Dash Crofts of Seals and Crofts shines no more. > **[Dash Crofts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dash_Crofts)** > > Darrell George "Dash" Crofts (born August 14, 1940) is an American musician. He is best known as one half of the soft rock duo Seals and Crofts with Jim Seals. > Crofts was originally a drummer in his early career, when he met Jim Seals, then a saxophonist. The two would go on to play in The Champs, eventually creating the duo Seals and Crofts, in which both members sang and played the guitar and mandolin among other instruments; they would go on to record hits such as "Summer Breeze" and "Diamond... ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1010 "2026-03-26T20:15:00Z")
“[Advance Guards](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILOANaLwxIo)” is the song of theirs that I’ll always remember. Damn, the room is getting blurry. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1011 "2026-03-26T21:46:03Z")
Tracy Kidder’s books _Mountains Beyond Mountains_ and _Strength in What Remains_ are great inspirational reads. Farewell to someone who helped make the world a better place. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2026, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1012 "2026-03-27T07:34:42Z")
Honolulu Aquarium: The Aquarium is saddened by the loss of Ghost, the giant Pacific octopus who was beloved by staff, guests, and those who learned about her online. Ghost died on March 24 after entering senescence, the natural end-of-life process after laying eggs. The Aquarium announced Ghost’s senescence online in September 2025. Ghost was resting behind the scenes while animal care and veterinary staff provided her with extra support and care during her senescence. Ghost arrived at the Aquarium in May 2024, weighing about three pounds at the time. \*\*She had grown to over fifty pounds 😯and was estimated to have been between two and four years old at the time of her passing. I have no idea how long that is in octopus years. And a new word to me: senescence​😀 ---
**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:** [March 27, 2026, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1013 "2026-03-27T08:39:15Z")
According to Wikipedia, the normal lifespan of an octopus is between 2 to 4 years, but some species only live about 6 months. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1014 "2026-03-27T12:56:14Z")
I get to learn something new: I had thought that Pacific Giant Octopodes only lived for a year. Unfortunately, Ghost disqualifies for two reasons: 1 - Not human 2 - Definitely younger than eighteen. 3 - I still miss Opal. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1015 "2026-03-27T13:06:55Z")
Props for using “Octopodes”, the etymologically consistent and fun to say plural! Brian ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1016 "2026-03-27T22:12:43Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > And a new word to me: senescence​ Never mind, doesn’t show up correctly ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1017 "2026-03-27T23:11:53Z")
One of the ultimate “that guys” > **[James Tolkan, ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Top Gun’ Actor, Dies at 94](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-tolkan-dead-back-to-the-future-top-gun-1236549260/)** > > He also appeared in 'Dick Tracy,' three Sidney Lumet movies and on Broadway in the original 'Glengarry Glen Ross.' ---
**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:** [March 27, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1018 "2026-03-27T23:15:17Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > One of the ultimate “that guys”. Did that guy _ever_ have hair? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1019 "2026-03-28T00:13:14Z")
I remember him from a syndicated show called “Cobra”. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1020 "2026-03-28T01:47:54Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > One of the ultimate “that guys” > > [James Tolkan Dead: 'Back to the Future,' 'Top Gun' Actor Was 94](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-tolkan-dead-back-to-the-future-top-gun-1236549260/) Did he write a check his body can’t cash? ---
**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:** [March 28, 2026, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1021 "2026-03-28T13:03:45Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > And everyone forgets Aldous Huxley. I’m more inclined to think that CS Lewis and Aldous Huxley were the same person. Can you imagine the _Mere Christianity_ guy trying to sell _Brave New World_? Of course he needs an alter ego. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=50) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=52)