# Who do you think will be the next \*big\* celebrity to die? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2019, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745 "2019-03-08T06:52:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/41 "2019-03-08T21:26:21Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > not exactly a celeb herself but John McCain’s mother is 107. At his funeral last year people thought she was his sister or another relative because they did not think his mother was still alive. I didn’t realize she had had another birthday. Amazing. Not a major celeb. and doesn’t quite fit this thread, but I had to say something. Life insurance sites list her as almost 50% chance to die this year. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/42 "2019-03-08T21:44:02Z")
I think the odds against both Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks both staying alive for long are slim. Carl will turn 97 soon and Mel is a “kid” at only 92. For the purposes of this thread, I’d say Reiner is going to be gone soon. Last I heard they still have lunch together on a regular basis. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/43 "2019-03-08T21:47:20Z")
I think to make major news, it would have to be someone younger and still working. It also has to be a shock that they are gone, so anyone over 80 is out. Maybe Cher? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/44 "2019-03-08T21:59:21Z")
:aside: I keep seeing this thread and think “not that alternate ending _again!_” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/45 "2019-03-08T22:08:53Z")
The Shat will be 88 in a couple of weeks… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/46 "2019-03-08T22:13:41Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I think the odds against both Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks both staying alive for long are slim. Carl will turn 97 soon and Mel is a “kid” at only 92. Dick Van Dyke is also up there. But as suggested, this would hardly be a surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2019, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/47 "2019-03-08T23:30:30Z")
John Williams must be getting up there. I think when he goes many people are going to be mildly shocked at just how much memorable music he’s created over the decades. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/48 "2019-03-09T14:51:49Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > I didn’t Beverly Cleary was still alive at the age of 102; I’d be more upset at her death than any former politician or royal. I came in here to mention Cleary. I read her books in elementary school. > [@kayaker](#): > > R Kelly, by his own hand. Or Jussie Smollett ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/49 "2019-03-09T15:01:52Z")
God help me for even saying it, Dylan. (When you only need the last name, that’s big.) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/50 "2019-03-09T15:10:21Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > God help me for even saying it, Dylan. (When you only need the last name, that’s big.) > [@](#): > > He’s so unhip that when you say Dylan > He thinks you’re talking about Dylan Thomas > Whoever he was > The man ain’t got no culture > But it’s alright, ma, everybody must get stoned Paul Simon ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/51 "2019-03-09T15:14:46Z")
Or Art Garfunkel ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/52 "2019-03-09T15:20:25Z")
Please not Morgan Freeman, please not Morgan Freeman, pleaseohpleaseohplease not him … Sir David Attenborough, who narrates the “Planet Earth” documentaries from BBC, is starting to look old and worn-down in the face and his voice sounds less steady these days. That’s the biggest “old but still working” celeb that popped into my head, and his passing will surely generate a big media to-do about it. I’m not quite 40 yet so Keith Richards still has a shot at outliving me. I’ve got a running internal bet with myself, if I will be around to learn of his passing. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/53 "2019-03-09T15:25:11Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > God help me for even saying it, Dylan. (When you only need the last name, that’s big.) Or Joel or Springsteen–The three “B’s” of rock music (Bob, Billy and Bruce) ---
**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:** [March 9, 2019, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/54 "2019-03-09T18:04:38Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I think the odds against both Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks both staying alive for long are slim. Carl will turn 97 soon and Mel is a “kid” at only 92. > > For the purposes of this thread, I’d say Reiner is going to be gone soon. > > Last I heard they still have lunch together on a regular basis. They have dinner and watch Jeopardy every night together. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/55 "2019-03-09T18:28:39Z")
James Earl Jones ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/56 "2019-03-09T18:32:27Z")
Oh, I’ve got another one: Julie Andrews. Also George Lucas. Spielberg, not so much; he’s another that I think will refuse to die. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/57 "2019-03-09T18:51:25Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I think the odds against both Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks both staying alive for long are slim. Carl will turn 97 soon and Mel is a “kid” at only 92. > > For the purposes of this thread, I’d say Reiner is going to be gone soon. > > Last I heard they still have lunch together on a regular basis. Carl Reiner has made it clear that he _intends_ to hang around until at least November 3rd, 2020. Note to everyone on this thread - no killing anyone. That’s cheating. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/58 "2019-03-09T20:41:51Z")
John Astin turns 89 on March 30. If he lives that long. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2019, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/59 "2019-03-10T04:47:27Z")
John Astin is the last surviving (male) villain from the '60’s era Batman show. (I just like pointing that out.) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2019, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745/60 "2019-03-10T04:56:48Z")
Would Tom Brokaw count as a celebrity? He was incoherent in a recent appearance he made on a morning news program, which surprised me almost as much as the fact that he’s still alive in the first place. He’s been battling multiple myeloma, which is treatable but not curable AND is extremely painful, for several years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-be-the-next-big-celebrity-to-die/830745.md?page=4)