# The Celebrity Death Pool 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523 "2010-12-01T09:16:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/361 "2010-12-29T02:16:09Z")
My annual post which will insure these people will survive yet another year… Zsa Zsa Gabor Kirk Douglas Fats Domino Betty Ford Nancy Reagan Jack Klugman Seve Ballesteros Harry Morgan Annette Funicello Kim Jong Il Fidel Castro Richard Kiel Gordon Murray Alts: Danny Bonaduce Greg Louganis ---
**Author:** ![Bewildebeest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bewildebeest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bewildebeest)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/362 "2010-12-29T02:17:19Z")
1. Macaulay Culkin 2. John Travolta 3. Kim Jong Il 4. Paris Hilton 5. Steve Martin 6. Nanette Fabray 7. Billie Jean King 8. Tim Curry 9. Dan Rather 10. Bryant Charles Gumbel 11. Lindsay Lohan 12. Peter Tork 13. Harrison Ford Alternates: 1. Tom Cruise 2. Janet Jackson 3. Carrie Fisher Hasn’t Elizabeth Taylor died at least twice a year since the early eighties? Macaulay Culkin John Travolta Kim Jong Il Paris Hilton Steve Martin Nanette Fabray Billie Jean King Tim Curry Dan Rather Bryant Charles Gumbel Lindsay Lohan Peter Tork Harrison Ford Alternates: Tom Cruise Janet Jackson Carrie Fisher ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/363 "2010-12-29T02:18:59Z")
I did so well in 2010 I see no reason to make any changes. I have just guaranteed another year of life for these folks. John Astin Yogi Berra Ronnie Biggs Fidel Castro Dick Clark Chris Economacki Aretha Franklin Larry Hagman Nancy Reagen Elizabeth Taylor Mike Wallace Amy Winehouse Zakk Wylde Note: Mike Wallace is the old fart from 60 Minutes, not the race car driver. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/364 "2010-12-29T02:42:57Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Well, yes, but will Amarone buy that? > I mean, being British and all. > 🙂 Well, it was the Scots that let him go and they generally don’t like to be called British anyway. But I’m a conspiracy theorist on this one - I think he was let go with the full knowledge/approval of the US and British governments to avoid an uncomfortable appeal which, for example, would disclose things like the Maltese shop owner failing to recognize the defendant some 14 times until persuaded by receiving several million dollars from the US government. ---
**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 29, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/365 "2010-12-29T02:59:33Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > Well, it was the Scots that let him go and they generally don’t like to be called British anyway. But I’m a conspiracy theorist on this one - I think he was let go with the full knowledge/approval of the US and British governments to avoid an uncomfortable appeal which, for example, would disclose things like the Maltese shop owner failing to recognize the defendant some 14 times until persuaded by receiving several million dollars from the US government. But if he has a firearm accident, may I count him? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/366 "2010-12-29T03:01:40Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > But if he has a firearm accident, may I count him? > 🙂 Absolutely. And let us hope it happens in the next 3 days. He is on my 2010 list, and that trumps all politics/justice. ---
**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 29, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/367 "2010-12-29T03:28:24Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > Absolutely. And let us hope it happens in the next 3 days. He is on my 2010 list, and that trumps all politics/justice. Let’s hope he goes at the strike of midnight and we can both count him. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/368 "2010-12-29T03:29:48Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Let’s hope he goes at the strike of midnight and we can both count him. > 🙂 If he is still with us at about 11PM Central Dec 31, he’s on my 2011 list also. Then I could count him for both years… ---
**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 29, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/369 "2010-12-29T03:50:44Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > If he is still with us at about 11PM Central Dec 31, he’s on my 2011 list also. Then I could count him for both years… Well, you’re running the joint. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/370 "2010-12-29T03:54:17Z")
Re-Vamping of my previous list to: (1) remove Aung San Suu Kyi on the grounds that the Myanmar junta might decide to openly execute her instead of arranging an ‘accident’; (2) jump on the Aretha bandwagon; (3) generally second-guess myself 1. Zsa Zsa Gabor (2/16/17), actress/low hanging fruit 2. Charlie Louvin (7/7/27), Country Music Hall of Famer 3. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (3/15/33), Supreme Court justice 4. Aretha Franklin (3/25/42), Queen of Soul 5. Roger Ebert (6/18/42), film critic 6. Michael Douglas (9/25/44), actor 7. Christopher Hitchens (4/13/49), commentator/author/gadfly 8. Gene Weingarten (10/2/51), Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist 9. Abdel Baset Al-Megrahi (4/1/52), convicted bomber 10. Steve Jobs (2/24/55), Apple honcho 11. Connie Newton Needham (12/5/59), ‘Eight Is Enough’ actress 12. Orlando Thomas (10/21/72), former Minnesota Viking 13. Pete Doherty (3/12/79), musician/train wreck Plain version: Zsa Zsa Gabor Charlie Louvin Ruth Bader Ginsburg Aretha Franklin Roger Ebert Michael Douglas Christopher Hitchens Gene Weingarten Abdel Baset Al-Megrahi Steve Jobs Connie Newton Needham Orlando Thomas Pete Doherty Alternates: Rush Limbaugh Darlene Cates ---
**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 29, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/371 "2010-12-29T04:01:47Z")
I gave up on Steve. Apparently if you have more money than G-d, you can beat pancreatic cancer. ---
**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 29, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/372 "2010-12-29T04:07:35Z")
My revised list since I can’t have Charlie Kleinman, Pediatric cardiologist, recipient of 17 year old Marc Dawson’s heart. Celebrity Death Pool 2011. This year’s contestants are: Carl Kassel Aretha Franklin Michael Dokes Derryn Hinch Susie Edwards Mike Heimerdingerr Andy Whitfield Charlie Louvin Barack Obama Merle Haggard Bryant Gumbel Danny Buchanan Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi Alternates Kathryn Joosten Anne Francis Carl Kassel, NPR announcer, quit the news and just does “Wait, Wait” now. Aretha Franklin, singer Michaek Dokes, boxer Derryn Hinch, Australian Shock Jock Susie Edwards, former WAFF reporter, WWL journalist. Mike Heimerdinger, Titans Offensive Coach Andy Whitfield, Australian Actor Charlie Louvin, Country Music singer Barack Obama, POTUS, I wonder if the Secret Service will show up? Merle Haggard, another C&W singer Bryant Gumbel, sports caster. Danny Buchanan, former General Secretary of Jamaica. Alternates Kathryn Joosten, Mrs. Landingham of the West Wing Anne Francis, actress in _The Forbidden Planet_ ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Uncle\_Goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Goat)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/373 "2010-12-29T04:37:53Z")
> [@fluiddruid](#): > > Let’s keep this thread about the Celebrity Death Pool. Political comments really aren’t appropriate for The Game Room and are likely to hijack the thread, so please post them in a more appropriate venue - Great Debates, perhaps, if you want to discuss worst Supreme Court justices. > > No warning issued. 😕 Well, that was actually in answer to a death pool theme question, however poorly phrased. I was under the impression that kicking people while they’re still up is okay in the death pool, although I kick them while they’re down too. And while I don’t want to wish anyone ill, we are rapidly getting down to the last few hours here and not one single bastard on my 2010 list has had the decency to croak, damnit. I would hate for this waste of time to be pointless! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/374 "2010-12-29T10:04:54Z")
Zsa Zsa, who up until now has reigned supreme as the choice of entrants in 2011’s DP, is slipping in more ways than one. She is now tied for third, with Fidel Castro, while Aretha has surged ahead to the lead, with Michael Douglas in second. But we only have half the number of the entrants so far as last year. Will there be the usual NYE surge? Stay tuned, boys and girls. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/375 "2010-12-29T12:56:15Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > But we only have half the number of the entrants so far as last year. Will there be the usual NYE surge? Stay tuned, boys and girls. Last year we had 70 entries in the final two days, so we are running at about the same rate. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/376 "2010-12-29T21:56:10Z")
Here goes nothing I suppose. I am tied for zero in this year’s pool, so things can only look up. Plain list: Aretha Franklin Michael Douglas Kim Jong-Il Lil Wayne Bobby Doerr Stan Musial Eleanor Mondale Seve Ballesteros Ronnie Biggs Leonid Stadnyk Margaret Thatcher Marilyn Horne James Ellroy List with explanations: Aretha Franklin, this year’s hot prospect apparently Michael Douglas, actor, also suffering Kim Jong-Il, little NK dictator Lil Wayne, slightly larger rapper with a penchant for crime and a big mouth Bobby Doerr, oldest living Baseball Hall of Famer Stan Musial, the Man, deserves a place with baseball’s greatest Eleanor Mondale, carryover from last year, Walter’s daughter Seve Ballesteros, Spanish golfer Ronnie Biggs, Great Train Robber Leonid Stadnyk, allegedly the world’s tallest man, from Ukraine Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Costello eagerly waiting his turn to tramp the dirt down Marilyn Horne, opera soprano from Bradford, PA James Ellroy, my favorite author, best known for L.A. Confidential, sadly looking way down from when I saw him some years ago ---
**Author:** ![JessMagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@JessMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessMagic)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/377 "2010-12-29T21:58:19Z")
Right, here we go with well-known UK politicians: Ian Paisley Margaret Thatcher Tony Benn Michael Heseltine Menzies Campbell Kenneth Clarke Denis Healey Geoffrey Howe Roy Hattersley Norman Tebbit Glenda Jackson Nigel Lawson Cecil Parkinson Reserves: Douglas Hurd David Mellor John Prescott ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/378 "2010-12-29T23:26:14Z")
Here’s my unimaginative list: Anne McCaffrey Stephen Hawking Michael Douglas Margaret Thatcher Amy Winehouse Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Aretha Franklin Drew Carey Kim Jong Il John Goodman Roger Ebert Ariel Sharon Mel Gibson Alternates: Randy Quaid John Goodman ---
**Author:** ![BACI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@BACI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BACI)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/379 "2010-12-29T23:39:34Z")
…and so I bestow the gift of life for another year to: Chrissie Amphlett Jim Stynes Kirk Douglas Zsa Zsa Gabor Maggie Smith Peter O’Toole Derryn Hinch Margaret Thatcher Gore Vidal Peter Falk Richie Benaud Donald Sutherland Gough Whitlam Alternates: Bob Hawke Larry Hagman Fidel Castro ---
**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:** [December 30, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523/380 "2010-12-30T00:17:02Z")
This is an updated list: Mario Batali Chaz Bono Yao Defen Aretha Franklin Jonah Hill Artie Lange Rosie O’Donnell Vincent Pastore William “Refrigerator” Perry Randy Quaid Gabourey Sidibe Sally Struthers Reuben Studdard Alternates: Kirstie Alley Kevin Smith Oprah Winfrey Note: Yao Defen is the tallest living woman [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2011/562523.md?page=20)