# 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:** 99
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1962 "2026-10-09T17:37:47Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Was Ditka a good coach? The Bears were never a good team before he became their coach. Within a few years, they were the best team in the league. I’m not saying that Ditka was the reason (notably, in 1985 after winning the Super Bowl, the defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was carried off the field by players, along with Ditka), but it’s where he gets his coaching acclaim. He also coached the Saints, and had 3 losing seasons there. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1963 "2026-10-09T18:08:55Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > I’m not saying that Ditka was the reason (notably, in 1985 after winning the Super Bowl, the defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was carried off the field by players, along with Ditka), but it’s where he gets his coaching acclaim. He also coached the Saints, and had 3 losing seasons there. His career record was 121-95 in 14 seasons; 6-6 in the playoffs. So, perhaps a good coach, but by no means a great coach. His main success, as @Moriarty noted, was with the Bears of Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, and Mike Singletary. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1964 "2026-10-09T18:21:51Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Within a few years, they were the best team in the league. And then, in barely a heartbeat, they were not anymore. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1965 "2026-10-09T19:03:29Z")
He wasn’t a very great executive, either. Remember his [trading every draft pick in 1999 to move up to grab Ricky Williams?](https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2014/4/17/5623840/nfl-draft-saints-ricky-williams-mike-ditka-trade) He gave up 8 picks in all, including 2 first-rounders (1999 and 2000) to be able to move up 7 draft spots. ---
**Author:** ![MarkF2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5ac83/32.png) [@MarkF2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarkF2004)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1966 "2026-10-09T21:05:14Z")
This will have a particular resonance with British American Football fans. The Bears were the first team everyone noticed when Channel4 started showing games back in the early 80’s. What with William Perry, Walter Payton etc. and Mr. Ditka of course. Winning the Superbowl in 85 was pretty much the first time a big UK audience had been immersed in the game… RIP. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1967 "2026-10-10T03:05:22Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > > [@Moriarty](#): > > > > Within a few years, they were the best team in the league. > > And then, in barely a heartbeat, they were not anymore. The NFL is weird that way. The 85 Bears looked like they should have been the start of a dynasty. Then the 86 Giants looked like they should have been a dynasty. At least the Giants won 5 years later with some of the same players. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2026, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1968 "2026-10-10T03:28:02Z")
You have to admit, though, that that team was culturally iconic at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1969 "2026-10-10T21:00:02Z")
“The Fridge” is one of the best nick-names of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2026, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1970 "2026-10-11T12:06:26Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > You have to admit, though, that that team was culturally iconic at the time. The Super Bowl shuffle, as bad as it was, undoubtedly helped. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9TWDKpA7YnE/maxresdefault.jpg "Superbowl Shuffle (1985 Chicago Bears) ") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TWDKpA7YnE) (This came out _before_ the game was played) ---
**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:** [October 12, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1971 "2026-10-12T14:24:00Z")
Wilfredo Gomez died. He didn’t get the press that contemporary heavyweights did but he was a hell of a boxer. > **[Boxing: Puerto Rican boxing legend Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez dies aged 69](https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/articles/cr62yzgpg09eo)** > > Three-weight world champion Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez dies aged 69. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1972 "2026-10-12T20:48:16Z")
Advocate for better representation for disabled people in film > **[RJ Mitte, ‘Breaking Bad’ Star, Dies at 34](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/rj-mitte-dead-breaking-bad-1236909451/)** > > RJ Mitte, who starred in 'Breaking Bad' as Walter White Jr., has died. He was 34. his character, like the actor, had cerebral palsy. 66 points gone to waste. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1973 "2026-10-12T20:59:36Z")
How sad. [TMZ](https://www.tmz.com/2026/10/12/rj-mitte-dead/) is reporting Mitte’s death as a suicide. mmm ---
**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:** [October 12, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1974 "2026-10-12T21:42:41Z")
_Big Brother_ contestant Amber Siyavus [has died at 46](https://ew.com/big-brother-amber-siyavus-dead-46-12170573). ---
**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:** [October 14, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1975 "2026-10-14T01:23:10Z")
[Pope Leo has lung cancer.](https://www.npr.org/2026/10/13/g-s1-147968/pope-leo-has-lung-cancer-vatican-announces) Dopers furiously scribble notes for 2027. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1976 "2026-10-14T03:59:05Z")
I am bitterly disappointed in all my picks except Scott Adams. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1977 "2026-10-14T15:29:32Z")
Australian actor Gary Waddell. I didn’t know him until I saw this item in the _Guardian_, but I thought I might as well post him here. > **[Gary Waddell dies aged 74: the brilliant Australian actor who turned small...](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/oct/14/gary-waddell-death-australian-actor-dies-aged-74)** > > Waddell appeared in countless films and TV shows, often as rough-as-guts characters, though he was rarely given the screen time he deserved ---
**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:** [October 18, 2026, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1978 "2026-10-18T06:14:19Z")
[Apollo](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/remembering-michael-forest-his-eccentric-role-as-an-alien-biker-in-the-twilight-zone/ar-AA2erfow) has given up 3 points. Michael Forest, who played an alien motorcyclist on an episode of _Twilight Zone_, rides off into the good night. [![](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIF.OegjHYkFYaZFyJ%252fJkhMs4g%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=a761c3741f9ed65ae3ebd57108b5802b6f83d72fbeca4409a19bdcc7d9833132&ipo=images) ](https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIF.OegjHYkFYaZFyJ%252fJkhMs4g%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=a761c3741f9ed65ae3ebd57108b5802b6f83d72fbeca4409a19bdcc7d9833132&ipo=images) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1979 "2026-10-18T14:06:25Z")
Before clicking the link and from your calling him Apollo I recognized him from that _ST:TOS_ episode. I don’t think I ever saw him in _The Twilight Zone._ I’m not much of a Trekkie but I think that episode was called _Who Mourns for Adonis_…? Something like that. Added: I looked it up. Yes it’s _Who Mourns for Adonais_. Typo fixed. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1980 "2026-10-18T19:04:38Z")
Noah Adams, long-time host of NPR’s _All Things Considered_, at 84. [https://www.npr.org/2026/10/18/nx-s1-5556931/noah-adams-all-things-considered-has-died](https://www.npr.org/2026/10/18/nx-s1-5556931/noah-adams-all-things-considered-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:** [October 19, 2026, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318/1981 "2026-10-19T00:51:39Z")
Another pointless death: > **[Betty McGuire, Actress on Broadway and ‘Growing Pains,’ Dies at 100](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/betty-mcguire-dead-growing-pains-broadway-1236734856/)** > > She worked alongside Ethel Merman, Bea Arthur and Susan Hayward on the stage, was Joanna Kerns’ mom on the ABC sitcom and played a nun in ‘Up in Smoke.’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=98) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-celebrity-death-pool/1025318.md?page=100)