In 2025, many celebrities have died. But not all! There are still some left!
This is the annual tasteless tradition in which the General Board competes to identify celebrities who will be cashing in their chips in 2026.
I will be tabulating the results of last year's contest this weekend and announcing the official winners on New Year's Day.
But now to the business at hand--the launch of the 2026 Death Watch! You have until 11:59 PM CST on the Epiphany of the Lord (Tuesday, January 6) to submit your picks for official entry to this year's contest.
This year's rules: changes from last year are in bold.
Rules:
1) One entry per contestant
2) Each entry consists of five picks; if you list more than five celebrities, only the first 5 listed count.
3) If you mistakenly pick a celebrity who has already died, you will be mocked mercilessly by the board. Particularly if your pick died during the Carter administration. However, you may edit your pick up until the time that the contest entry closes. You are not required to do so, but of course will receive no points for that pick.
4) However, if you pick a celebrity who dies in 2025 after your pick is submitted, you may not change your selection. That's just a bad beat, and it serves you right for cheesing the contest by picking on poor Bruce Willis.
5) To be eligible for prizes, picks must be submitted by 11:59 CST on Tuesday, January 6
6) As above, entries may be submitted until the Tuesday after New Year's. However, you may not pick a celebrity who dies or is newly diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness on or after midnight, New Year's Eve.
7) More than one person may pick the same celebrity, however, see eligibility for prizes below.
Prizes:
8) The Black Crow award will be given to the contestant who is the first to select a celebrity who gets dead after midnight on New Year's Day (local time at place of death)
9) The Grim Reaper award will be given to the the first contestant who picks the last celebrity to kick the bucket prior to midnight on New Year's Eve 2026
10) For the most prestigious prize, the Angel of Death, points will be awarded as follows: 10 points for first dead pick, 20 points for second dead pick, 40 points for 3rd dead pick, 80 points for 4th dead pick, and 160 points + an additional 40 bonus points if all five of your picks croak in 2026!!!
11) Exception: celebrities over the age of 90 at the time of death will not score escalating bonuses: base 10 points will be awarded regardless of whether the celebrity is your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th dead pick. However, these still count toward your total number of dead picks for calculating subsequent bonuses (see example below).
12) For celebrities under the age of 90, an additional bonus of points equal to (90-celebrity's age on date of death) will also be awarded. No additional points for celebrities over 90; negative points are not awarded.
13) In the event of a tie for the Angel of Death, the first contestant to enter the contest wins.
14) The date of a celebrity's death is determined by the local authorities in the jurisdiction where the death occurred, as listed on the official death certificate. If an unfortunate celebrity dies late in 2026 and is not discovered to have assumed room temperature until later in 2027, prizes may be redistributed accordingly.
15) All picks are for entertainment purposes only
16) Although it is not technically against the rules to pray to the Baby Jesus to smite your chosen celebrities, it is in exceedingly poor taste and possibly a mortal sin. Don't do this.
17) As always, you will receive no points and suffer immediate disqualification if you murder any of your picks, and may God have mercy on your soul.
This is the annual tasteless tradition in which the General Board competes to identify celebrities who will be cashing in their chips in 2026.
I will be tabulating the results of last year's contest this weekend and announcing the official winners on New Year's Day.
But now to the business at hand--the launch of the 2026 Death Watch! You have until 11:59 PM CST on the Epiphany of the Lord (Tuesday, January 6) to submit your picks for official entry to this year's contest.
This year's rules: changes from last year are in bold.
Rules:
1) One entry per contestant
2) Each entry consists of five picks; if you list more than five celebrities, only the first 5 listed count.
3) If you mistakenly pick a celebrity who has already died, you will be mocked mercilessly by the board. Particularly if your pick died during the Carter administration. However, you may edit your pick up until the time that the contest entry closes. You are not required to do so, but of course will receive no points for that pick.
4) However, if you pick a celebrity who dies in 2025 after your pick is submitted, you may not change your selection. That's just a bad beat, and it serves you right for cheesing the contest by picking on poor Bruce Willis.
5) To be eligible for prizes, picks must be submitted by 11:59 CST on Tuesday, January 6
6) As above, entries may be submitted until the Tuesday after New Year's. However, you may not pick a celebrity who dies or is newly diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness on or after midnight, New Year's Eve.
7) More than one person may pick the same celebrity, however, see eligibility for prizes below.
Prizes:
8) The Black Crow award will be given to the contestant who is the first to select a celebrity who gets dead after midnight on New Year's Day (local time at place of death)
9) The Grim Reaper award will be given to the the first contestant who picks the last celebrity to kick the bucket prior to midnight on New Year's Eve 2026
10) For the most prestigious prize, the Angel of Death, points will be awarded as follows: 10 points for first dead pick, 20 points for second dead pick, 40 points for 3rd dead pick, 80 points for 4th dead pick, and 160 points + an additional 40 bonus points if all five of your picks croak in 2026!!!
11) Exception: celebrities over the age of 90 at the time of death will not score escalating bonuses: base 10 points will be awarded regardless of whether the celebrity is your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th dead pick. However, these still count toward your total number of dead picks for calculating subsequent bonuses (see example below).
12) For celebrities under the age of 90, an additional bonus of points equal to (90-celebrity's age on date of death) will also be awarded. No additional points for celebrities over 90; negative points are not awarded.
13) In the event of a tie for the Angel of Death, the first contestant to enter the contest wins.
14) The date of a celebrity's death is determined by the local authorities in the jurisdiction where the death occurred, as listed on the official death certificate. If an unfortunate celebrity dies late in 2026 and is not discovered to have assumed room temperature until later in 2027, prizes may be redistributed accordingly.
15) All picks are for entertainment purposes only
16) Although it is not technically against the rules to pray to the Baby Jesus to smite your chosen celebrities, it is in exceedingly poor taste and possibly a mortal sin. Don't do this.
17) As always, you will receive no points and suffer immediate disqualification if you murder any of your picks, and may God have mercy on your soul.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
