# Celebrity Death Pool 2014 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193 "2013-12-01T06:00:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 33
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/641 "2014-01-12T15:29:00Z")
When I opened Facebook this morning, the first thing I saw was a post that said Will Smith R.I.P. When I clicked the link, the headline said "Will Smith died making Hancock 2. Since there is nothing on Google News about him dying, I am 99.9% sure this is NOT true. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/642 "2014-01-12T15:39:45Z")
gotta be a hoax. I couldn’t find anything ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/643 "2014-01-12T15:43:07Z")
Yes, [hoax.](http://www.snopes.com/computer/facebook/willsmithdead.asp) ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/644 "2014-01-12T15:44:39Z")
That’s last year’s hoax 😉 ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/645 "2014-01-12T15:47:37Z")
Yes, it’s from a while ago. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/646 "2014-01-12T15:48:44Z")
**DeathMistress** , I have a suggestion for a slight rules change for next year. Given the kerfuffle earlier this week, how about announcing unofficial results almost immediately, then give, say, a week for unnoticed deaths to catch up? After the window passes, official tough noogies. Mostly, the change is stating this in the rules up front. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/647 "2014-01-12T15:50:20Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > **DeathMistress** , I have a suggestion for a slight rules change for next year. Given the kerfuffle earlier this week, how about announcing unofficial results almost immediately, then give, say, a week for unnoticed deaths to catch up? After the window passes, official tough noogies. > > Mostly, the change is stating this in the rules up front. Way to go, Bob, more work for the Death Mistress! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/648 "2014-01-12T15:57:54Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > It’s kinda neat to see how many regulars on this year’s lists were also on the 2000 Death Pool lists. Nancy Reagan, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Muhammad Ali, Kirk Douglas, Abe Vigoda, Billy Graham, Stephen Hawking, Keith Richards…next year, I might have to do a themed list of people selected in the 2000 Death Pool who are still among the living. Since it’s way after deadline for 2014, here’s my just-for-fun 2014 list of living celebrities from people’s 2000 Death Pool lists, aiming for maximum overlap with 2014 selections: Nancy Reagan Jimmy Carter George H.W. Bush Fidel Castro Mikhail Gorbachev Billy Graham Stephen Hawking Muhammad Ali Kirk Douglas Jack Nicholson Keith Richards Abe Vigoda Glen Campbell Again, this is strictly for fun; no need for our DeathMistress to keep track of it. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/649 "2014-01-12T17:17:49Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > **DeathMistress** , I have a suggestion for a slight rules change for next year. Given the kerfuffle earlier this week, how about announcing unofficial results almost immediately, then give, say, a week for unnoticed deaths to catch up? After the window passes, official tough noogies. > > Mostly, the change is stating this in the rules up front. Actually, that sounds like a really good idea, to extend the grace period. This year I gave just one day, but you and others are right, it is a holiday and getting in the news might take a bit. I’ll do as you suggest, and extend the period to seven days for the next game. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > Since it’s way after deadline for 2014, here’s my just-for-fun 2014 list of living celebrities from people’s 2000 Death Pool lists, aiming for maximum overlap with 2014 selections: > > Nancy Reagan > Jimmy Carter > George H.W. Bush > Fidel Castro > Mikhail Gorbachev > Billy Graham > Stephen Hawking > Muhammad Ali > Kirk Douglas > Jack Nicholson > Keith Richards > Abe Vigoda > Glen Campbell > > Again, this is strictly for fun; no need for our DeathMistress to keep track of it. Just for fun I think I will keep track of those names!😃 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/650 "2014-01-12T18:18:52Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Actually, that sounds like a really good idea, to extend the grace period. This year I gave just one day, but you and others are right, it is a holiday and getting in the news might take a bit. > > I’ll do as you suggest, and extend the period to seven days for the next game. I think this is a good idea. If George H. W. Bush dies, we’ll all hear ab out it right away, but there’s plenty of minor celebs on people’s lists whose deaths won’t make the news in 24 hours. But a week should more than suffice. > [@](#): > > Just for fun I think I will keep track of those names!😃 I’ll be amused if it outscores my real list. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/651 "2014-01-12T19:29:53Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > When I opened Facebook this morning, the first thing I saw was a post that said Will Smith R.I.P. When I clicked the link, the headline said "Will Smith died making Hancock 2. > > Since there is nothing on Google News about him dying, I am 99.9% sure this is NOT true. Even if it were true, the worst part of that story is that they’re making Hancock 2. ---
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/652 "2014-01-12T20:48:18Z")
The folks still alive from the 2000 Death Pool: Abe Vigoda Al Unser Jr. Alan Greenspan Andy Dick Arnold Schwartzenegger Art Alexakis (from Everclear) Art Garfunkle Barbara Walters Barry Manilow Benjamin Netanyahu Ben Stern (Howard’s Dad) Bill Clinton Bill Cosby Bill Gates Bill Russell (BB player) Billy Graham (the evangelist) Bob Dole Bob Dylan Brian Dennehey Brian Wilson Brigitte Bardot Britney Spears Burt Reynolds Cal Ripkin Jr. Calista Flockhart Carmen Electra Caroline Kenney Schlossberg Celine Dion Charles Barkley (NBA player) Charles Manson Charlie Sheen Chevy Chase Chris Kattan Christian Slater Clint Eastwood Conan O’Brien Corey Feldman Courtney Love Dalai Llama Darryl Strawberry Dave Letterman David Crosby Delta Burke Dennis Rodman Dolly Parton Dr. Laura Schlessinger Eddie Murphy F. Murray Abraham Fidel Castro Fiona Apple Frank Gifford Frank Oz Holly Johnson (singer) Fred Durst George H. W. Bush George Michael George W. Bush George Wendt Glen Campbell Gregg Allman Haley Joel Osment Hillary Clinton Hugh Downs Hugh Hefner Ian McKellan Iggy Pop Isaiah Rider Jack Nicholson Jackie Chan James Garner Janine Garafalo Jim Carrey Jimmy Carter Joan Rivers Joe Piscopo Joey Merlino (mobster) John Daly (golfer) John Glenn John Goodman John Madden John Rocker John Travolta Johnny Depp Julie Andrews Kate Moss Katie Couric Keith Richard Kenneth Branagh Kenneth Starr Kenny G Kirk Douglas Larry King Leo DiCaprio Leonard Nimoy Liam Gallagher Linda Tripp Liza Minelli Loretta Lynn MacCaulay Culkin Magic Johnson Mariah Carey Marilyn Manson Mario Cippolini (Bicyclist) Martha Stewart Michael Stipe Mick Jaggar Mikhail Gorbachov Monica Lewinsky Muhammad Ali Nancy Reagan Neve Campbell Norm MacDonald OJ Simpson Olivia Newton John Ozzy Osborne Perry Farrell (musician) Prince Charles Prince William Queen Elizabeth II Quentin Tarrantino Rae Carruth (ex-football player, prison inmate) Regis Philbin Richard Petty Robert Downey Jr Roseanne Rosie O’Donnel Rudolph Giuliani Ryan O’Neal Scott Weiland Sean Combs (“Puff Daddy”, etc) Sean Connery Snoop Dogg Stephen Hawking Steven Spielberg Ted Danson Tiffany Brissette (actress) Tiger Woods Tito Jackson (the singer) Tom Arnold Tommy Lasorda Tom Selleck Tommy Lee Jones Will Farrell Woody Allen Hopefully, I didn’t miss anyone who should be dead. There were approximately 224 initial names. I threw out some nebulous picks (like someone from Hanson) and found some duplicates after I counted, so it’s a little less than that. The above list shows 144 still living, some pretty surprisingly still alive like Magic Johnson and Stephen Hawking. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/653 "2014-01-12T22:22:28Z")
Although his ineligible for the Death Pool for at least one reason I think his death should be acknowledged here. [Sam Berns](http://www.aol.com/article/2014/01/12/sam-berns-mass-boy-whose-premature-aging-inspired-film-dies/20806272/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl7%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D429394), Mass. boy whose premature aging inspired film, dies at age 17. Warning. Autoplay video embedded in story. If he last another few months, IMO, he still would not be eligible for the death pool because he was only “famous” because of his disease as per this rule: > [@](#): > > g. famous solely as a result of their illness or associated actions/events. ---
**Author:** ![critter42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@critter42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/critter42)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/654 "2014-01-13T03:44:09Z")
> [@](#): > > g. famous solely as a result of their illness or associated actions/events. I’ve always had a question about this rule - are there exceptions? For instance, someone like Ryan White? He was famous as a result of his illness, but he had a significant effect on the course of AIDS research and public understanding of the disease. (He would have made the age requirement - he was 18 when he died) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/655 "2014-01-13T11:01:26Z")
The way I see it nobody would have heard of Ryan White if he hadn’t been sick. He had no outstanding achievements that I’m aware of, he wasn’t an actor, hadn’t held a job, hadn’t rescued someone from peril, been elected to public office, etc, etc. and so forth. I think that’s why that rule was inserted. Anyone could be a celebrity if they got cancer, had a weird tumor, or some other illness. “Celebrity” means doing something on your own. ---
**Author:** ![Bellhorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bellhorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bellhorn)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/656 "2014-01-13T14:09:27Z")
I played in a death pool, years ago, where the winner picked up close to the maximum points by picking for his pool both of a pair of siamese twins, co-joined at the brain. It was determined that neither could survive without surgery, although it was highly doubtful that both would survive the separation procedure. The next year, we had the “NO UNDER-18” rule. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/657 "2014-01-13T14:22:50Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > The way I see it nobody would have heard of Ryan White if he hadn’t been sick. He had no outstanding achievements that I’m aware of, he wasn’t an actor, hadn’t held a job, hadn’t rescued someone from peril, been elected to public office, etc, etc. and so forth. > > I think that’s why that rule was inserted. Anyone could be a celebrity if they got cancer, had a weird tumor, or some other illness. “Celebrity” means doing something on your own. It’s a good rule for it prevents all those “That woman who lived with the toilet full of \*\*\*\* in _Hoarders_”-type votes. 🙂 ---
**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:** [January 13, 2014, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/658 "2014-01-13T14:26:46Z")
My own personal rule is I have to know about the person before I found their name on a search of soon to be dead people. When doing my search of Moore’s I came up with a Negro League player who might be locally known but I never heard of him. I left him off. I know points is points but I would feel dirty scoring points on someone I could not defend to myself as being a celebrity. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/659 "2014-01-13T14:47:48Z")
I know of very few celebrities. I am uninterested in sports, rap music and modern actors. I watch two or three TV shows. Limiting myself to people I already knew of would be quite limiting. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193/660 "2014-01-13T15:31:55Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I know of very few celebrities. I am uninterested in sports, rap music and modern actors. I watch two or three TV shows. Limiting myself to people I already knew of would be quite limiting. Same basic idea here: most bona fide showbiz celebrities are people whose names I wouldn’t recognize. So my list includes people I wouldn’t have heard of apart from my Death Pool research. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-death-pool-2014/675193.md?page=34)