# The Celebrity Death Pool 2009 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262 "2008-12-01T23:40:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Mona\_Lott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lott)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/121 "2008-12-11T18:16:42Z")
Patrick Swayze Ted Kennedy Amy Winehouse Nancy Reagan Barbara Bush Elizabeth Taylor Tony Danza Fred Phelps Muhammed Ali Loretta Lynn Fidel Castro Walter Cronkite James Garner Alternates Mary Tyler Moore Angela Lansbury Zsa Zsa Gabor Barbara Bush–Mrs. George Herbert Walker Bush ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/122 "2008-12-11T21:55:24Z")
I’ve been enjoying reading the thread this year, so I’ll give it a shot. Looks like I only have one unique pick. Amy Winehouse Hough Heffner James Garner Harry Morgan Martin Sheen Kelsey Grammer Fidel Castro Ted Kennedy B. B. King Clint Eastwood Queen Elizabeth George Steinbrenner Lou Holtz ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/123 "2008-12-11T21:56:13Z")
I don’t see why seven people have put QEII on their list. Sure, she’s in her early eighties, but looks healthy. Her mum lived to be 100. And the queen has something important to live\* for\*, that is, seeing Charles gets to spend as little time as possible on the throne. If Elizabeth makes it to 2015, she’ll be the longest reigning monarch in British history. That’s not so far away either. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/124 "2008-12-12T00:02:38Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > I’ve been enjoying reading the thread this year, so I’ll give it a shot. Looks like I only have one unique pick. I make it three, not including Hough Heffner (Sheen, Grammer, Holtz). ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/125 "2008-12-12T00:07:39Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > It’s likely too late for this year, but can I suggest a modification for next year? To whit, a ‘first mention bonus’: the person who first nominates someone gets a bonus equal to the number of other people who also mention that person. This would introduce an interesting game dynamic - Dopers would pile on some to be (hopefully) sure of some points, but disdain others to get ahead of the pack, while encouraging an early posting date which would add to the excitement. Otherwise we’re all at the feet of Rachm Qoch, aren’t we? I see where you are coming from, but really do not want the admin of trying to work that out. FYI, if someone had been first to name the top 13 still-alive celebrities in 2008, they would have 441 points and be in the lead, 97 points ahead of **Rachm Qoch**. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/126 "2008-12-12T02:26:58Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > I see where you are coming from, but really do not want the admin of trying to work that out. > > FYI, if someone had been first to name the top 13 still-alive celebrities in 2008, they would have 441 points and be in the lead, 97 points ahead of **Rachm Qoch**. If wonder if **Quartz** ’s intent was to only grant the bonus if that pick actually were to croak? ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/127 "2008-12-12T03:14:34Z")
Subscribing to the thread. I’ll post picks later. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/128 "2008-12-12T12:54:09Z")
The people who picked Bettie Page have had her replaced with their first alternate. \*\* Long Time First Time\*\* - see post 103. ---
**Author:** ![SkyAudley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@SkyAudley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyAudley)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/129 "2008-12-12T13:05:59Z")
Richard Widmark, Peter Falk, Jackie Cooper, Adam Rich, Danny Bonaduce, etc. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/130 "2008-12-12T15:37:18Z")
I’m revising my previously submitted list following the death of Bettie Page: F. Lee Bailey Pete Doherty Farrah Fawcett Mitzi Gaynor Wink Martindale Liza Minnelli Ron Popeil Vidal Sassoon Phyllis Schlafley Boris Spassky Patrick Swayze Gore Vidal Amy Winehouse Alternates: Rich Little Joyce Brothers ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/131 "2008-12-12T15:51:49Z")
Do I get some kind of no-prize for having two people on my list die before the year could start? I’ve revised my list again, so now my list is: John Goodman Fidel Castro Fyvush Finkel Kirk Douglas Ariel Sharon Eartha Kitt Patrick Swayze Lex Luger aka Lawrence Wendell Pfohl Jack Kevorkian Ray Harryhausen Ron Silver Zsa Zsa Gabor Jerry Lewis Alternates: William Schallert Beverly Clearly Doris Day ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/132 "2008-12-12T19:30:36Z")
I changed a few of them from last year. Muhammed Ali Art Linkletter Patrick Swayze Andy Rooney Farrah Fawcett Jack T. Chick Billy Graham Betty Ford Ted Kennedy Amy Winehouse Roger Ebert Bum Phillips Kitty Wells Kirk Douglas Billy Graham Fidel Castro ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/133 "2008-12-12T20:57:08Z")
Amy Winehouse Blake Fielder-Civil Pete Doherty Fidel Castro Robert Byrd Nancy Reagan Michael Moore Michael Mukasy Ann Coulter Pope Benedict XVI Hutton Gibson (Mel Gibson’s father, and noted wingnut) Fred Phelps Dino De Laurentiis Alternates: Ted Kennedy Jimmy Carter Michael Lohan ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/134 "2008-12-12T21:49:56Z")
I have a theory. That Rahm Qoch whose handle I just _got_ after how many years here? is actually Abe Vigoda in real life. PSSSST, **Twicky** Bettie Page just died. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/135 "2008-12-12T21:53:06Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > I have a theory. > > That Rahm Qoch whose handle I just _got_ after how many years here? is actually Abe Vigoda in real life. > PSSSST, **Twicky** Bettie Page just died. You just got his name? Tell me, I haven’t got it yet. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/136 "2008-12-13T02:06:34Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > PSSSST, **Twicky** Bettie Page just died. Yeah, see my revised list a few posts up. ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/137 "2008-12-13T02:44:22Z")
Patrick Swayze Ted Kennedy Fidel Castro Elizabeth Taylor Bob Barker Barbara Bush Joan Kennedy James Arness Jerry Lewis Jay Leno Zsa Zsa Gabor Prince Phillip Farrah Fawcett Alternates Peter Graves Eunice Kennedy Shriver Kevin Eubanks Okay, Swayze and Senator Ted are probably gimmes … although watch them survive now just to spite me! 😃 Some of these folks are holdovers … from last year’s list and some from several years ago! Note: the Barbara Bush on the list is Mrs. George Bush, W’s mother, not his daughter. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/138 "2008-12-13T13:31:04Z")
> [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](#): > > If wonder if **Quartz** ’s intent was to only grant the bonus if that pick actually were to croak? Yes - I should have been clearer. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/139 "2008-12-13T14:30:09Z")
> [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](#): > > If wonder if **Quartz** ’s intent was to only grant the bonus if that pick actually were to croak? That wouldn’t be too hard to work out, albeit it would be a manual process. I put the lists into my spreadsheet in order that they are posted, mostly, so a search from the top will find the first nominator. I may play around as the “season” progresses and see what effect it has. ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/140 "2008-12-13T17:45:02Z")
Kirk Douglas Annette Funicello Eunice Shriver Muhammad Ali Ted Kennedy Fidel Castro Vladimir Putin Ariel Sharon Nelson Mandela Walter Cronkite Dick Clark Michael Jackson Patrick Swayze Alternate: Sarah Palin Sean Hannitty [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=8)