# The Celebrity Death Pool 2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679 "2011-12-01T06:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 147
**Author:** ![critter42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@critter42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/critter42)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2922 "2012-12-25T15:00:25Z")
Prolific character actor Charles Durning at 11 points…er 89 years…[has died](http://todayentertainment.today.com/_news/2012/12/25/16143700-ap-charles-durning-veteran-character-actor-dies-in-new-york-at-89?lite) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2923 "2012-12-25T17:22:43Z")
Surprisingly, nobody had Durning. I’m sorry to see him go. The look on his face, in _Tootsie_, when Dustin Hoffman showed himself to be a man, was priceless. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2924 "2012-12-25T18:19:00Z")
How the heck did his ticker keep going til 89? ---
**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:** [December 25, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2925 "2012-12-25T18:42:37Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Surprisingly, nobody had Durning. I’m sorry to see him go. The look on his face, in _Tootsie_, when Dustin Hoffman showed himself to be a man, was priceless. Other memorable moments: very touching death scene in Rescue Me. And the Marine remembering what happened to him in WWII in NCIS. Durning was awarded the Silver Star and 3 Purple Hearts for valor in WWII. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2926 "2012-12-25T18:49:45Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Oh my god, that is just too creepy. Last week I received my Season 4 Quincy DVDs, and I watched them all weekend. At one point, I suddenly started wondering if he was still alive, so I looked him up on Wikipedia, and was pleased to see that I had correctly recalled that he was, and read about his life. Earlier today I was telling a friend about him, and we both marveled at his longevity. So when I got home today, I turned to the Dope while preparing to resume watching the DVDs…and saw this. ☹ > > RIP, Quincy (and Oscar, and Juror #5), you were one of the best. At least I still have a pile of DVDs to watch. Do tell. Just out of curiosity, have you been watching any Barney Miller episodes lately? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2927 "2012-12-25T19:05:06Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Do tell. Just out of curiosity, have you been watching any Barney Miller episodes lately? Going Fishing, huh?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2928 "2012-12-25T22:12:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Other memorable moments: very touching death scene in Rescue Me. And the Marine remembering what happened to him in WWII in NCIS. > > Durning was awarded the Silver Star and 3 Purple Hearts for valor in WWII. > [@](#): > > He was among the first wave of U.S. soldiers to land at Normandy during the D-Day invasion and the only member of his Army unit to survive. He killed several Germans and was wounded in the leg. Later he was bayoneted by a young German soldier whom he killed with a rock. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners. > In later years, he refused to discuss the military service for which he was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. > “Too many bad memories,” he told an interviewer in 1997. “I don’t want you to see me crying.” [HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/25/charles-durning-dead-dies_n_2362130.html) ---
**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 25, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2929 "2012-12-25T23:01:31Z")
I found this [list online](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/25/charles-durning-dead-dies_n_2362130.html#slide=1488090) of 32 celebs who died in 2012. Though I recognize most of the names, I’m posting them here in case we missed any from it: Michael Clarke Duncan died at the age of 54 on Sept. 3. “Sesame Street” puppeteer Jerry Nelson died at age 78 on Aug. 23, 2012 Phyllis Diller died at the age of 95 on Aug. 20 Director Tony Scott, died on Aug. 19, 2012. Singer Scott McKenzie died on Aug. 18. 2012 William Windom died Aug. 16, 2012, age 88 Ron Palillo known as Arnold Horshack on “Welcome Back, Kotter,” died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, age 63 Lupe Ontiveros known for the roll Saldivar in “Selena,” died Thursday, July 26, age 69 Actor Sherman Hemsley died on July 24, 2012 MPAA President Frank Pierson died of natural causes on Monday, July 23, age 87 Deep Purple’s Jon Lord died at age 71 on Monday, July 16, 2012 Kitty Wells, the first female superstar of country music, died at the age of 92 on July 16, 2012. Ernest Borgnine died at 95 on July 8 Andy Griffith died July 3. He was 86 Don Grady of “My Three Sons” died on June at 68 Director Nora Ephron died on June 26 at 71 Comedienne Yvette Wilson died on June 14. She was 48 Ann Rutherforddied on Monday, June 11, 2012. She was 94. Robin Gibb, 62 died on May 20. Bob Welch died June 7, 2012, at 65. Donna Summer died on May 17 at 63 Chuck Brown died Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 75. Mitchell Guist of “Swamp People” died after collapsing Monday, May 14 Adam Yauch died on May 4 at age 47 George Lindsey died on May 6, 2012 at 83. Levon Helm died Thursday, April 19, 2012 in New York. He was 71. Dick Clark died on April 18 at 82. Davy Jones died at age 66 on February 29 Whitney Houston died at age 48 on February 11. Don Cornelius died Wednesday morning, Feb. 1. He was 75. Actor Ian Abercrombie died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2012 at 77. Etta James died on January 20 at 73. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2930 "2012-12-26T06:36:23Z")
Keiji Nakazawa > **[Search results - The Japan Times](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/search?query=text)** > > News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More search > [@](#): > > HIROSHIMA — Keiji Nakazawa, author of “Hadashi no Gen” (“Barefoot Gen”), an iconic comic about the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bombing, has died of lung cancer at a hospital in the city, sources said Tuesday. He was 73. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2931 "2012-12-26T16:15:30Z")
Of some interest to our little group: [Where Aren’t They Now? 13 Overlooked Deaths of 2012](http://www.cracked.com/article_20194_where-arent-they-now-13-overlooked-deaths-2012.html) Naturally, they weren’t overlooked _here_, but it’s still an interesting read. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2932 "2012-12-26T16:55:18Z")
Gerry Anderson, of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999 and UFO fame, has died. > **[Gerry Anderson, Thunderbirds creator, dies](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-20845407)** > > Gerry Anderson, creator of the Thunderbirds and Joe 90 puppet superhero TV shows, has died at the age of 83, his son announces. ---
**Author:** ![critter42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@critter42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/critter42)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2933 "2012-12-26T17:29:59Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Of some interest to our little group: > > [Where Aren’t They Now? 13 Overlooked Deaths of 2012](http://www.cracked.com/article_20194_where-arent-they-now-13-overlooked-deaths-2012.html) > > Naturally, they weren’t overlooked _here_, but it’s still an interesting read. Can someone fix the link? I’ve fixed in the quote, but it’s borked in **Hal** ’s original post ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2934 "2012-12-26T18:33:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Do tell. Just out of curiosity, have you been watching any Barney Miller episodes lately? Hmm…I purchased the complete box set in October, but haven’t started watching it yet. Maybe in the new year…😉 Before Quincy, I was watching Simon & Simon. I’m getting the final season on Jan. 15. I do have Gerald McRaney on my list. [sub]But seriously, considering the number of old T.V. shows I watch on DVD and Amazon, I could easily win the Death Pool if my watching had any influence.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2935 "2012-12-26T23:57:01Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Gerry Anderson, of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999 and UFO fame, has died. > > [Gerry Anderson, Thunderbirds creator, dies - BBC News](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-20845407) I was expecting “Gerry Anderson’s strings have been cut” or “Funeral attendees are asked to wear purple wigs” Brian ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2936 "2012-12-27T19:06:15Z")
**[Fontella Bass, R&B Singer Behind “Rescue Me,” Dead at 72](http://www.eonline.com/news/374247/fontella-bass-r-b-singer-behind-rescue-me-dead-at-72)** ---
**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:** [December 28, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2937 "2012-12-28T00:33:17Z")
[Retired General Norman Schwarzkopf, 78, has died.](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=168167042) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2938 "2012-12-28T00:57:35Z")
I had to check the list for him, I thought someone had chosen him. But it seems nobody had. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2939 "2012-12-28T01:25:45Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Gerry Anderson, of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999 and UFO fame, has died. > > [Gerry Anderson, Thunderbirds creator, dies - BBC News](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-20845407) I found Frank Conniff’s (“TV’s Frank” from MST3K) facebook post about this to be especially poignant: > [@](#): > > For pioneering the idea that a TV puppet show could be cool, I express my deep gratitude to Gerry Anderson. Rest In Peace. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2940 "2012-12-28T01:46:10Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Gerry Anderson, of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999 and UFO fame, has died. > > [Gerry Anderson, Thunderbirds creator, dies - BBC News](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-20845407) You know what? Some of my earliest TV memories are from Captain Scarlet. I thought it was the Thunderbirds, but now just realized it was in fact Captain Scarlet. Late 60s in Northern Ireland. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679/2941 "2012-12-28T06:40:44Z")
I seem to be the Angel of Life this year. My score of zero has kept alive three of my Evil Dictator Bastard picks: Robert Mugabe, Than Shwe, and Bashar al-Assad. I am also apparently protecting Hugo Chavez and Charlie Sheen. Yikes. Yet 2011 was a good year for Death and me, so should I assume it’ll alternate and choose people I want to die, or people I want to save from the Reaper? 😕 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679.md?page=146) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2012/604679.md?page=148)