# 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:** 78
**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:** [July 19, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1542 "2026-07-19T17:25:20Z")
Duane Ward, who helped anchor the bullpen for the [Toronto Blue Jays](https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays)’ back-to-back World Series-winning teams in the early 1990s, has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 62. The Blue Jays announced that Ward died of natural causes in Toronto. ESPN and the team. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1543 "2026-07-19T18:47:40Z")
Monster kills a young boxer. I hope manslaughter charge gets upgraded to murder. Hannah Rapp, who challenged for the WBC women’s featherweight championship in June, died Saturday morning after being hit by a car while riding her bicycle in Brazos County, Texas, according to the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office. She was 26. Rapp was riding along a highway when a car passed her but suddenly came to a stop, went into reverse and struck her, according to the sheriff’s office. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the car, whom police identified as Charles Medina, 31, was arrested and charged with manslaughter. He was being held at the Brazos County Detention Center. ESPN ---
**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:** [July 20, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1544 "2026-07-20T01:42:38Z")
Jennifer Finch, bassist for the band L7, has died of cancer at 59. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1545 "2026-07-20T02:41:20Z")
That was fairly quick. It wasn’t too long ago it was announced and the gofundme set up (and I noticed that there was an anonymous donation to her gofundme of $44,000…good on that donor). ---
**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:** [July 20, 2026, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1546 "2026-07-20T08:20:13Z")
Prostate cancer takes another British newsreader. > **[Edward Stourton: Broadcaster and journalist dies aged 68](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20d4j4v9g9o)** > > Stourton hosted Radio 4's Today programme for a decade and was a founding member of Channel 4 News. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1547 "2026-07-20T15:17:22Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > That was fairly quick. It wasn’t too long ago it was announced and the gofundme set up (and I noticed that there was an anonymous donation to her gofundme of $44,000…good on that donor). Yes, there was a public announcement that Finch had cancer and a GoFundMe campaign launched on July 13. She died on July 18. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1548 "2026-07-20T16:18:56Z")
Oh man. I saw them a couple of times. She had great stage presence. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1549 "2026-07-20T16:23:39Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Prostate cancer takes another British newsreader. Who is the BBC’s senior presenter in charge of announcing the Royal Family deaths now? ---
**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:** [July 20, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1550 "2026-07-20T19:01:33Z")
Former Miss Universe Jamaica finalist and former Miss Jamaica Bikini International titleholder LaToya Malcolm [had died at 35\*](https://ew.com/latoya-malcolm-dies-former-miss-universe-jamaica-finalist-12022949). \*Good taste prevented me from listing her age as 35-24-36. You’re welcome. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1551 "2026-07-20T22:05:44Z")
And cancer takes another British OH COME ON NOW > **[Kevin Keegan, England soccer star who transcended the game with celebrity...](https://apnews.com/article/kevin-keegan-obit-england-197a8e78b382a63a252dedda95fc356f)** > > Kevin Keegan, the two-time Ballon d’Or-winning soccer star who captained and coached England and won the European Cup with Liverpool, has died. He was 75. > [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Who is the BBC’s senior presenter in charge of announcing the Royal Family deaths now? At this point it’s probably Laura Kuenssberg. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1552 "2026-07-20T23:09:38Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Good taste prevented me from listing her age as 35-24-36. You’re welcome Seems to me by the mid 1970s, that usage had basically become archaic, along with the two-handed swoopy gesture. By 2010, I suspect the majority of people were essentially not aware of these cultural references. Today, it would likely get a blank stare from most people under age 40. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1553 "2026-07-21T01:42:02Z")
> **[The Legendary Songwriter Who Gave the World “The Roy Orbison Sound” Dies at 91](https://americansongwriter.com/the-legendary-songwriter-who-gave-the-world-the-roy-orbison-sound-dies-at-91/)** > > Joe Melson, the songwriter who penned more than 150 songs with Roy Orbison, died on July 1 of natural causes. > **[Aviation pioneer Wally Funk, who trained as an early female astronaut, dies...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/09/science/wally-funk-death)** > > Aviation pioneer Wally Funk, who finally went to space half a century after training to be a female astronaut, has died. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1554 "2026-07-21T03:02:01Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > > [@Superdude](#): > > > > Good taste prevented me from listing her age as 35-24-36. You’re welcome > > Seems to me by the mid 1970s, that usage had basically become archaic, along with the two-handed swoopy gesture. By 2010, I suspect the majority of people were essentially not aware of these cultural references. Today, it would likely get a blank stare from most people under age 40. I’m not 100% convinced of your timeline here. In “Baby Got Back,” Sir Mix-A-Lot says, “36-24-36? Only if she’s 5’3”.” That song was released in 1992. So, while the reference may certainly be dated, it was still in use after the mid 70s. Plus, everyone here is an expert on something older that few other people outside of the Dope are familiar with. I knew a lot of people here would know what I meant. Outside of here, though, you’re spot on. ---
**Author:** ![FrostyKmart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85e7bf/32.png) [@FrostyKmart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrostyKmart)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1555 "2026-07-21T03:43:24Z")
It’s also referenced in Rob Zombie’s version of Brick House released in 2003, although that’s a cover of The Commodores version from 1977. People are probably more familiar with Sir Mix a Lot ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1556 "2026-07-21T16:21:57Z")
The deaf girl from both Kong vs Godzilla films has died at age 18. Car accident. Incredibly tragic. It will be hard to see those films again without thinking of this shocking tragedy. > **[“Godzilla vs. Kong” Actress Kaylee Hottle Dies at 18](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/godzilla-vs-kong-actress-kaylee-151123019.html)** > > Kaylee Hottle was a young Deaf actress who portrayed the character Jia in 2021’s ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ and 2024’s ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1557 "2026-07-21T16:30:00Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > The deaf girl from both Kong vs Godzilla films has died at age 18. Car accident. Incredibly tragic. > > It will be hard to see those films again without thinking of this shocking tragedy. > > [“Godzilla vs. Kong” Actress Kaylee Hottle Dies at 18](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/godzilla-vs-kong-actress-kaylee-151123019.html) Not that it would matter to anyone who didn’t have her in a death pool, it’s appears that she was actually 19. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1558 "2026-07-21T23:02:17Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Not that it would matter to anyone who didn’t have her in a death pool, it’s appears that she was actually 19. It’s strange that all of the reports of her death I’ve seen say she was eighteen. But her birthdate was May 1, 2007 according to multiple sites and I’ve found places discussing her 19th birthday last May. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1559 "2026-07-22T00:04:13Z")
> [@Hoopy\_Frood](#): > > Joe Melson, the songwriter who penned more than 150 songs with Roy Orbison, died on July 1 of natural causes. You just know he spent his whole life saying “No, it’s Melson. With an M.” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1560 "2026-07-22T00:30:13Z")
Peter Lassally, executive producer of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson who then went with David Letterman to CBS, producing both The Late Show and Craig Ferguson’s Late Late Show, had been canceled at 93. A behind-the-scenes giant in television, Lassally, a Holocaust survivor, went to elementary school with Anne Frank ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1561 "2026-07-22T00:59:42Z")
> [@FrostyKmart](#): > > It’s also referenced in Rob Zombie’s version of Brick House released in 2003, although that’s a cover of The Commodores version from 1977. People are probably more familiar with Sir Mix a Lot Its also referenced in the computer game Zork Nemesis: The Forbidden Lands which came out in 1996. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=77) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=79)