# 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:** 85
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1682 "2026-08-14T20:30:17Z")
While I had heard about him until very recently, he seems to be well-known among posters here: > **[Jason Arday: Former Cambridge university professor found dead](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1j1ye6n30no)** > > Emergency services said a man was found "unresponsive" at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1683 "2026-08-14T20:33:18Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > While I had heard about him until very recently, he seems to be well-known among posters here: I heard about him when “out of the loop” on reddit explained who he was. I’m betting suicide. Lots of things came to light and the life he built up was coming down. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2026, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1684 "2026-08-15T06:02:42Z")
> **[18-year-old pro golfer dies from brain hemorrhage at qualifying event](https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/lpga/2026/08/13/jessica-bang-pro-golfer-dead-brain-hemorrhage/91294651007/)** > > Jessica Bang, an 18-year-old pro golfer from Australia, died from a brain hemorrhage. This is extremely sad - to be so young and have so much promise, only to have your life cut short like this. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2026, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1685 "2026-08-15T06:06:22Z")
And speaking of young sportspeople dying of brain injuries: > **[Prichard Colon, 33, dies decade after suffering brain injury | The Ring](https://www.ringmagazine.com/news/prichard-colon-33-dies-decade-after-suffering-brain-injury-68tXmCx8cHEjz5qpUl2w3d)** > > Prichard Colon has passed away at the age of 33, a decade after suffering a brain bleed following his fight with Terrel Williams. Colon was 23 when he suffered a brain injury following a fight in 2015 and has been in a coma ever since. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2026, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1686 "2026-08-15T16:40:49Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > This is extremely sad - to be so young and have so much promise, only to have your life cut short like this. Agreed. Just living life with no thoughts of anything wrong and then destroyed in 5 seconds. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1687 "2026-08-16T18:06:59Z")
The guy they named Tommy John surgery after has died. > **[Tommy John](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_John)** > > Thomas Edward John Jr. (May 22, 1943 – August 15, 2026), nicknamed "the Bionic Man," was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 26 seasons between 1963 and 1989. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Oakland Athletics. He was a four-time MLB All-Star and has the second-most wins (288) of any pitcher since 1900 not in the Hall of Fame. Known for his longevity, John wa... ---
**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:** [August 16, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1688 "2026-08-16T18:28:58Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > The guy they named Tommy John surgery after has died. > > [Tommy John - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_John) He was on my 2027 short list. At the recent Yankees Old Timers Day they read a letter saying goodbye. Sure it was probably written by the family and not him but it was a nice touch. ---
**Author:** ![RobotDevilDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@RobotDevilDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobotDevilDog)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1689 "2026-08-17T03:14:16Z")
I just saw that Hayden Panettiere has died. She was 36. [Actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 - ABC7 New York](https://abc7ny.com/post/actress-hayden-panettiere-dies-36/19690038/) ---
**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:** [August 17, 2026, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1690 "2026-08-17T03:32:18Z")
> [@RobotDevilDog](#): > > I just saw that Hayden Panettiere has died. She was 36. Me too. I wonder what the heck happened. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1691 "2026-08-17T04:48:30Z")
I’ve never been a big baseball fan, but I always heard that Tommy John was just a class act from start to finish. RIP. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2026, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1692 "2026-08-17T10:26:41Z")
I had the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with Panettiere back during her “Heroes” days. She was very engaging and seemed genuine. Sad news. mmm ---
**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:** [August 17, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1693 "2026-08-17T12:05:27Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I had the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with Panettiere back during her “Heroes” days. She was very engaging and seemed genuine. How did that come to be? That’s really cool. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1694 "2026-08-17T12:10:53Z")
Ugh. Screaming Mad George has died. His real name was Joji Tani, but he went by Screaming Mad George for a long time. He did amazing makeup and prosthetic effects for movies. Society was probably his biggest showcase of effects and is also a pretty amazing movie. He directed The Guyver with Mark Hamil starring in it. Sad news. [https://www.instagram.com/p/DcH0PuHE-wo/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcH0PuHE-wo/) He was 69 years old. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1695 "2026-08-17T13:33:39Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > I had the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with Panettiere back during her “Heroes” days. She was very engaging and seemed genuine. > > How did that come to be? That’s really cool. She came to my workplace on a public relations visit. I spoke with her briefly after the event and I came away very impressed with her as a person. mmm ---
**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:** [August 18, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1696 "2026-08-18T01:40:44Z")
[Mel Harden](https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/music/article_84756098-86b0-4bd8-9301-9cca0d71dc58.html), half of the one hit wonder 60’s Motown duo Mel and Tim, died July 26, leaving 16 points on the charts. ---
**Author:** ![zadscmc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a183cd/32.png) [@zadscmc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zadscmc)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1697 "2026-08-18T02:17:21Z")
> **[Super Bowl champion dead at 56 after 19-year battle with ALS](https://www.dailymail.com/sport/nfl/article-16059575/super-bowl-champion-oj-brigance-dead.html)** > > Super Bowl champion and former NFL linebacker OJ Brigance has died at the age of 56 after a 19 year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1698 "2026-08-18T02:51:11Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > > [@RobotDevilDog](#): > > > > I just saw that Hayden Panettiere has died. She was 36. > > Me too. I wonder what the heck happened. Originally the statement was no suspicion of foul play. Later it was updated to no signs of physcal trauma. Considering her openness regarding her mental health issues, including postpartrum depression and addiction, it’s likely death by medication. Maybe accidental; maybe intentional. Sad either way. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1699 "2026-08-18T17:35:16Z")
Bill Rasmussen, the man who founded ESPN, reported as having passed away… > **[Bill Rasmussen, founder of ESPN, dead at 93](https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/bill-rasmussen-founder-dead-93.html)** > > ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen has died from Parkinson's Disease at the age of 93, the network announced on Tuesday. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1700 "2026-08-18T18:08:31Z")
> **[Phyllida Law, prolific performer across stage and screen, dies aged 94](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/18/phyllida-law-performer-stage-screen-dies)** > > As adept at comedy and musicals as she was drama, Law acted alongside daughters Sophie and Emma Thompson in a career spanning eight decades ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1701 "2026-08-18T19:14:23Z")
> **[ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard Dead at 77](https://www.tmz.com/2026/08/18/frank-beard-dead/)** > > Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for legendary rock band ZZ Top, has died ... TMZ has learned. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=84) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=86)