# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/161 "2008-12-17T01:49:19Z")
Ted Kennedy Barbara Bush,Sr Patrick Swaze Reuben Studdard Mike Tyson Fidel Castro Kim Jong-Il Bernard Madoff ZsaZsa Gabor Elizabeth Taylor alternates: Jocelyn Wildenstein Margo Kidder Andy Rooney ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/162 "2008-12-17T01:55:27Z")
> [@jali](#): > > Ted Kennedy > Barbara Bush,Sr > Patrick Swaze > Reuben Studdard > Mike Tyson > Fidel Castro > Kim Jong-Il > Bernard Madoff > ZsaZsa Gabor > Elizabeth Taylor > > alternates: > Jocelyn Wildenstein > Margo Kidder > Andy Rooney You need 13 - I will take all your alternates unless I hear otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/163 "2008-12-17T07:17:51Z")
Nelson Mandela Jerry Lee Lewis Farrah Fawcett Wendy Richard Roger Ebert Michael J. Fox Patrick Swayze Margaret Thatcher Dorothy Hamill Pete Doherty Amy Winehouse Fidel Castro Terry Pratchett Alternates: Jimmy Carter Muhammad Ali Kirk Douglas ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/164 "2008-12-17T19:19:44Z")
Based on Macworld announcement, I am swapping Lori Drew for Steve Jobs. Corrected plain list below - I don’t intend any additional changes to this between now and the 31st. Tom Bosley Jean Stapleton Hank Aaron Florence Henderson Ann B. Davis Nancy Reagan Steve Jobs Neil Armstrong Patrick Swayze O.J. Simpson Magic Johnson Bob Dole Alternates James Brady Roman Polanski Imelda Marcos ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/165 "2008-12-17T19:27:18Z")
Rodney Rogers – Newly paralyzed fromer NBAer Dave Drevecky – Former pitcher, former two armer Kieran Culkin – Random child actor death Patrick Swayze Eric Shanteau – Olympic swimmer with cancer John Wooden Seve Ballesteros Adam Frey – Former college wrestler with cancer Mike Tyson Brian Doyle Murray Dwight Harrison – Former NFL cornerback Brandon Jennings – Basketball player in Europe Martina Hingis The plain list: Rodney Rogers Dave Drevecky Kieran Culkin Patrick Swayze Eric Shanteau John Wooden Seve Ballesteros Adam Frey Mike Tyson Brian Doyle Murray Dwight Harrison Brandon Jennings Martina Hingis ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/166 "2008-12-17T23:03:33Z")
Due to my lack of copy/paste skills, I do have to post this once more - I left Bob Newhart out of the last one. Bob Newhart Tom Bosley Jean Stapleton Hank Aaron Florence Henderson Ann B. Davis Nancy Reagan Steve Jobs Neil Armstrong Patrick Swayze O.J. Simpson Magic Johnson Bob Dole Alternates James Brady Roman Polanski Imelda Marcos ---
**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 18, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/167 "2008-12-18T02:32:42Z")
I _like_ Koko Taylor; my picks live forever. Did I miss the staff meeting about why we are picking 13 immortals? John Forsythe Elizabeth Edwards Barack Obama Robert Novak Ted Kennedy George Mitchell Ray Bradbury Ariel Sharon Macaulay Culkin Nancy Reagen Fidel Castro Kirk Douglas Dick Cheney Alternates Carol Burnett Ehud Olmert Koko Taylor ---
**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 18, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/168 "2008-12-18T02:35:49Z")
Can we pick Socks the Clinton Cat? Does it count if he is euthanized? ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/169 "2008-12-18T02:42:24Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Can we pick Socks the Clinton Cat? Does it count if he is euthanized? Mut be human. ---
**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 18, 2008, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/170 "2008-12-18T03:01:07Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > Mut be human. Rats. Cats. _Whatever._ ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/171 "2008-12-18T09:34:29Z")
I should clarify I mean Barbara Bush the elder, not Barbara Bush the younger. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/172 "2008-12-18T14:32:29Z")
1. Mindy McCready (suicide-prone C/W singer) 2. Glen Benton (his scheduled suicide is long overdue…) 3. Hubert “Geese” Ausbie (The “Clown Prince of Basketball”) 4. Lew Lewis (Eddie & the Hot Rods) 5. Orson Bean (To tell the truth, I think he’s a gimme) 6. Jovanka Budisavljević Broz (Tito’s widow) 7. Eli Wallach (Actor) 8. Gary Busey (Eccentric actor) 9. Norman Borlaug (“Green Revolution” guy) 10. Mel Lastman (former mayor of Toronto) 11. Steve Jobs 12. Malcolm Scott Carpenter (U.S. Astronaut) 13. Joseph Kittinger (Aviation pioneer) Alternates: Don Henley (must die, don’t let him get back together with Glen Frey!) Caril Ann Fugate (Famous girlfriend) Copy-and-paste-to-Excel format: Mindy McCready Glen Benton Hubert Ausbie Lew Lewis Orson Bean Jovanka Budisavljević Broz Eli Wallach Gary Busey Norman Borlaug Mel Lastman Steve Jobs Malcolm Scott Carpenter Joseph Kittinger Alternates: Don Henley Caril Ann Fugate ---
**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, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/173 "2008-12-18T15:17:28Z")
Going for the unique picks, **Spiff**? ---
**Author:** ![discodancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@discodancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/discodancer)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/174 "2008-12-18T17:34:00Z")
> [@discodancer](#): > > Ted Kennedy > Jerry Lewis > Hugh Hefner > Billy Graham > Barbara Bush > John McCain > Hulk Hogan > Roger Ebert > Nancy Reagan > Queen Elizabeth II > Elizabeth Taylor > Kirk Douglas > Andy Dick > > Alternates: > Lindsey Lohan > Brittany Spears > Mary Kate Olsen In my list I am referring to the elder Barbara Bush. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/175 "2008-12-18T20:01:25Z")
Clint Eastwood Ariel Sharon Fidel Castro Roger Ebert Chemical Ali Dick Clark Elizabeth Taylor Wilford Brimley Steve Jobs Peter O’Toole Prince Philip Elizabeth Edwards Barack Obama Alternates: Barbara Bush Mary Stewart Ray Bradbury ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/176 "2008-12-18T20:08:50Z")
This time last year, we had 98 posts in the thread. This year, 176. I continue to predict a sharp increase in turnout. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/177 "2008-12-18T20:51:31Z")
And so far there are 75 entries. I, like a lot of others, are probably waiting until the last week. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blue-Sighted_Shadow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/178 "2008-12-18T21:53:15Z")
Royalty edition: 1. Akihito of Japan - Emperor of Japan 2. Naruhito, Prince Hiro - Crown Prince of Japan 3. Harald V of Norway - King of Norway 4. Princess Ragnhild of Norway, Mrs. Lorentzen - King Harald’s sister 5. Elizabeth II - Queen of quite a lot, actually 6. Charles - Prince of Wales 7. Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein 8. Margrethe II of Denmark - Queen of Denmark 9. Beatrix of the Netherlands - Queen of the Netherlands 10. Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg 11. Juan Carlos I of Spain - King of Spain 12. Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden - King of Sweden 13. Albert II, Prince of Monaco Alternates: Albert II of Belgium - King of the Belgians George Tupou V - King of Tonga Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck - Dragon King of Bhutan Emperor Akihito Prince Naruhito King Harald V Princess Ragnhild Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles Prince Hans-Adam II Queen Margrethe II Queen Beatrix Grand Duke Henri King Juan Carlos I King Carl XVI Prince Albert II Alternates: King Albert II King George Tupou V Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/179 "2008-12-18T22:15:44Z")
Although none of my 2008 picks have yet given up the ghost, I’m retiring Bob Feller and Oral Roberts due to their diminishing point values. Replacing them will be [Edward Moore Kennedy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy) and [Paul Gascoigne](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gascoigne). As a nod to some supermarket tabloid headlines I’ve seen, I’m also dropping hunch pick Earl Scruggs and bringing [Patrick Swayze](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Swayze) into the fold. Since Pete Seeger is slated to turn 90 in May, 2009 will be his last year on my list whether he makes it to 2010 or not. Wikipedia articles on him and my other “returning favorites” can be found in [this post from the **Celebrity Death Pool 2008**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9288742&postcount=104) thread. Plaintext alphabetized list: Abdelaziz Bouteflika Fidel Castro Art Donovan Louis Farrakhan Paul Gascoigne Ted Kennedy Jack Kevorkian Ralph Kiner Pete Seeger Norodom Sihanouk Patrick Swayze Mort Walker Kay Yow ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262/180 "2008-12-18T22:48:51Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > And so far there are 75 entries. I, like a lot of others, are probably waiting until the last week. You’re probably right. I’m doing the same, although it’ll be a lot of repeats from last year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2009/475262.md?page=10)