# The Celebrity Death Pool 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2007, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439 "2007-12-01T11:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Dinah\_Steeler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@Dinah\_Steeler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinah_Steeler)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2007, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/81 "2007-12-16T12:42:22Z")
Rosalyn Carter Buzz Aldrin John Glenn Margaret Truman Patti LaBelle Paris Hilton Ed Koch Hugh Hefner Louis Farrakhan Sun Myung Moon Edmund Hillary Eddy Arnold Priscilla Presley ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2007, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/82 "2007-12-16T13:07:52Z")
Oooh! Deathpools! We started one in my office last year, but whoever was running it stopped keeping up with it. Out of that list, I only hit on Ingmar Bergman… so I’ll throw in Dog the Bounty Hunter and hope for better influence on the Reaper this year. Bea Arthur John Madden Elizabeth Taylor Gary Busey Don Rickles Wilford Brimley 50 Cent John Updike Michael J Fox Dog, the Bounty Hunter subs: Danny Bonaduce ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2007, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/83 "2007-12-16T13:41:53Z")
[QUOTE=Diomedes] Oooh! Deathpools! [/QUOTE] Your list is short three names. 13, + alternates. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2007, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/84 "2007-12-16T16:18:25Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Your list is short three names. 13, + alternates. [/QUOTE] 13… sure… of course. You know, for the whole ‘bad luck’ deal… :smack: Bea Arthur John Madden Elizabeth Taylor Gary Busey Don Rickles Wilford Brimley 50 Cent John Updike Michael J Fox Dog, the Bounty Hunter Raul Castro John Astin Herman Wouk Subs: Bobby Fisher Danny Bonaduce Jimmy Carter ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2007, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/85 "2007-12-16T20:04:31Z")
Fidel Castro Billy Graham Elizabeth Edwards Kirk Douglas Elizabeth Taylor Amy Winehouse Stephen Hawking Suzanne Pleshette OJ Simpson Dick Clark Paul Newman Britney Spears Alex Trebek Alternates: Owen Wilson Terrel Owens ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2007, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/86 "2007-12-16T23:59:24Z")
Fidel Castro Ariel Sharon Elizabeth Taylor Annette Funicello Olivia de Havilland Britney Spears Walter Cronkite Betty Ford Oral Roberts Billy Graham Ernest Borgnine Suzanne Pleshette Amy Winehouse Backups: Jack Kevorkian Jerry Lewis Kirk Douglas ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/87 "2007-12-17T00:42:07Z")
My picks: George Herbert Walker Bush Ed Koch Ray Nagin (my ‘youthful’ vote) Dick Clark Ed McMahon Jimmy Carter John Glenn (look, this dude’s just as geriatric as can be) Amy Winehouse (I’ll second this one) Al Sharpton (the Reverend, he’s getting old too) Britney Spears (I see a suicide in the future, or at least an attempt) Ruth Bader-Ginsburg Michael Vick (I don’t _wish_ him death. . . I just, well, it’s a long shot) Boutros Boutros-Ghali Tripler That last one, I just like to say the name. Sounds like something you spread on toast. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/88 "2007-12-17T02:13:41Z")
One of my picks, Dan Fogleberg, has died. Here is my updated list. I’m replacing him with Teri Garr. Mary Tyler Moore Teri Garr Owen Wilson Kirk Douglas Prince Phillip of Edinburgh Ryan O’Neal Jerry Lewis Bob Barker Eunice Kennedy Shriver Joan Kennedy Jim McKay Muhammed Ali Art Donovan ---
**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:** [December 17, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/89 "2007-12-17T20:21:09Z")
Fred Thompson John Forsythe Elizabeth Edwards Tim Johnson Pete Domenici Steven Geller George Mitchell Bill Nelson Carole Migden Arlen Specter Ehud Olmert Jenny Oropeza Alternates: Fidel Castro Kirk Douglas Dick Cheney ---
**Author:** ![Dinah\_Steeler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@Dinah\_Steeler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinah_Steeler)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/90 "2007-12-17T21:02:50Z")
[QUOTE=Dinah Steeler] Rosalyn Carter Buzz Aldrin John Glenn Margaret Truman Patti LaBelle Paris Hilton Ed Koch Hugh Hefner Louis Farrakhan Sun Myung Moon Edmund Hillary Eddy Arnold Priscilla Presley [/QUOTE] Just in case any of these bite the dust before 2008, I’m putting Art Modell up as an alternate. I’m sure there are quite a few Clevelanders who will be celebrating when Modell croaks. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/91 "2007-12-17T21:09:15Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] Fred Thompson John Forsythe Elizabeth Edwards Tim Johnson Pete Domenici Steven Geller George Mitchell Bill Nelson Carole Migden Arlen Specter Ehud Olmert Jenny Oropeza Alternates: Fidel Castro Kirk Douglas Dick Cheney [/QUOTE] You only have 12 names on your main list – did you leave someone out, or do you wish to move Castro up? Also, I’m curious as to [which Tim Johnson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Johnson) you have in mind. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/92 "2007-12-17T21:38:22Z")
[QUOTE=Sternvogel] You only have 12 names on your main list – did you leave someone out, or do you wish to move Castro up? Also, I’m curious as to [which Tim Johnson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Johnson) you have in mind. [/QUOTE] There are three kinds of people in this world, those who can count, and those who cannot. But I digress. Please move Fidel up. Tim Johnson is the Senator from South Dakota. Thanks, CP PS Hey, you said name only. I’m not a trouble maker, honest. dammit, it’s just like middle school… ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/93 "2007-12-17T21:43:35Z")
[QUOTE=MsWhatsit] Laraine Newman Garrett Morris Keith Richards Joe Piscopo Louie Anderson Roman Polanski Lindsey Lohan Sidney Lumet John Waters John Nash Stephen Hawking Paula Abdul Bob McGrath [/QUOTE] Here’s a couple of alternates in case they are needed: Queen Elizabeth II Elton John ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/94 "2007-12-18T01:35:17Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] My picks: George Herbert Walker Bush Ed Koch Ray Nagin (my ‘youthful’ vote) Dick Clark Ed McMahon Jimmy Carter John Glenn (look, this dude’s just as geriatric as can be) Amy Winehouse (I’ll second this one) Al Sharpton (the Reverend, he’s getting old too) Britney Spears (I see a suicide in the future, or at least an attempt) Ruth Bader-Ginsburg Michael Vick (I don’t _wish_ him death. . . I just, well, it’s a long shot) Boutros Boutros-Ghali Tripler That last one, I just like to say the name. Sounds like something you spread on toast. [/QUOTE] Any chance you could do a plain format list? And calling **Spiff** with the same request. ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/95 "2007-12-18T16:08:54Z")
Well, after playing along for the first time in 2007, I guess I’m hooked. I’m so ashamed. Anyway, I wish I had more free time to polish this -– especially to rotate folks I like out and more bastids in –- but here goes (with my thanks to **a35362** and **amarone** ): 1. **Russell Johnson** , actor, 17 pts (16 after November 10) 2. **Fidel Castro** , Cuban president, 19 pts (18 after April 9) 3. **Tom Lehrer** , musician, 21 pts (20 after April 9) 4. **Burt Bacharach** , musician, 21 pts (20 after May 12) 5. **George Steinbrenner** , businessman, 23 pts (22 after July 4) 6. **Mark Russell** , political satirist, 25 pts (24 after August 23) 7. **Kim Jong-il** , Korean dictator, 35 pts (34 after February 15) 8. **Roger Ebert** , film critic, 35 pts (34 after June 18) 9. **John Major** , British prime minister, 36 pts (35 after March 29) 10. **Dennis Franz** , actor, 37 pts (36 after October 28) 11. **Tom Arnold** , actor, 52 pts (51 after March 6) 12. **Suge Knight** , rap mogul, 58 pts (57 after April 19) 13. **Warren Sapp** , athelete, 65 pts (64 after December 19) alt 1. **Neil Armstrong** , astronaut, 23 pts (22 after August 5) alt 2. **Zsa Zsa Gabor** , actress, 11 pts (10 after February 6) alt 3. **Keith Richards** , musician, 36 pts (35 after December 18) Plain list: Russell Johnson Fidel Castro Tom Lehrer Burt Bacharach George Steinbrenner Mark Russell Kim Jong-il Roger Ebert John Major Dennis Franz Tom Arnold Suge Knight Warren Sapp Neil Armstrong Zsa Zsa Gabor Keith Richards ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/96 "2007-12-18T18:09:56Z")
Okay, here is my list: Bob Barker Fidel Castro Ricardo Montalban Trevor Bannister Jerry Stiller Molly Sugden Lindsey Lohan Fred Phelps Britney Spears Liza Minelli Ernest Borgnine Tony Curtis Queen Elizabeth II Alternates: Dustin Hoffman Nicole Richie ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/97 "2007-12-18T19:06:15Z")
After much thinking, health-checking, and finally resorting to The Will of The People, I have revised my list for the new year. Unformatted Lilian Jackson Braun Kirk Douglas Arthur C. Clarke Billy Graham John Glenn Jesse Helms Lee Iacocca Fidel Castro Ariel Sharon Elizabeth Taylor Terry Pratchett Elizabeth Edwards Britney Spears **Alternates** Olivia de Haviland Joan Fontaine Commented Upon Lilian Jackson Braun, 1913 _(The Author Who Lived Forever, it seems)_ Kirk Douglas, 1916 _(There’s a distinct lack of chiseled features in heaven.)_ Arthur C. Clarke, 1917 _(I’ll be sad to see him go, but let’s be realistic: he’s 90.)_ Billy Graham, 1918 _(God loves you and wants you to come home, Billy.)_ John Glenn, 1921 _(Time to aim for the stars again.)_ Jesse Helms, 1921 _(Die already you hideous embarassment.)_ Lee Iacocca, 1924 _(On my list only because he has a cool name. And he’s old.)_ Fidel Castro, 1926 _(Been in the hospital for a real long time now.)_ Ariel Sharon, 1928 _(In a coma since his stroke last year.)_ Elizabeth Taylor, 1932 _(Congestive heart failure, brain tumors, osteoporosis, something’s got to carry her off.)_ Terry Pratchett, 1948 _(I know firsthand what Alzheimer’s can do.)_ Elizabeth Edwards, 1949 _(Cancer is similarly unkind.)_ Britney Spears, 1981 _(Girl’s building up to either a spectacular suicide or a Christian rebirth.)_ Alternates Olivia de Haviland Joan Fontaine _(It’ll be interesting to see which one decides to die first.)_ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/98 "2007-12-18T21:04:48Z")
Harry Morgan Phyllis Diller Shirley Temple Black Barry Manilow Ray Bradbury Gene Wilder Dick Van Dyke Angela Lansbury Betty White Bea Arthur Sid Caesar Billy Graham Olivia DeHavilland Alternates: Sherwood Schwartz Beverly Cleary Dolly Parton Next year, I’m going to pick a lot more people I don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/99 "2007-12-19T00:58:03Z")
Roger Ebert Pervez Musharraf Hugo Chavez Michael J. Fox Joni Mitchell Louis Farrakhan Tony Snow Suzanne Pleshette Farah Fawcett Amy Winehouse Muhammed Ali Elizabeth Edwards George Soros Alternates: Fred Phelps Kim Jong-Il Michael Moore The fancy list: Roger Ebert _Low hanging fruit_ Pervez Musharraf _Has a big ol’ bull’s eye on his ass, courtesy of Al Qaeda_ Hugo Chavez _One can hope…_ Michael J. Fox \* LHF, Part Deux\* Joni Mitchell _Educated longshot_ Louis Farrakhan _Been picking him for a while_ Tony Snow \* Stage 4 cancer sucks\* Farah Fawcett _ditto_ Suzanne Pleshette _LHF 2_ Amy Winehouse _Self destruction ‘R’ us_ Muhammed Ali _Another perennial pick_ Elizabeth Edwards _The ultimate campaign boost for John_ George Soros _Go away, please_ Alternates: Fred Phelps _Let him find out what God really hates_ Kim Jong-Il _ditto_ Michael Moore _Myocardial infarc on 2 legs_ ---
**Author:** ![kitemaker\_chuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a88e4f/32.png) [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/100 "2007-12-19T01:18:00Z")
Just for the record: Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Fred Phelps Alternates: Fred Phelps Fred Phelps [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439.md?page=6)