You’ve probably seen the headlines before. They pop up every January like a bad hangover. Someone, somewhere, has sat down and methodically picked 50 famous people they think are going to kick the bucket this year. It’s called the DeathList, and honestly, it’s one of the weirdest corners of the internet.
Some people find it absolutely revolting. Others think it’s just a dark, statistical hobby—basically fantasy football but for the morgue. Whatever your take, the 2026 edition has officially dropped, and it’s causing the usual stir.
What Most People Get Wrong About the DeathList
A lot of folks think this is just some random group of trolls wishing death on people. It’s actually more like a morbid logic puzzle. The site has been around since 1987, and the "Committee" that runs it has a very specific set of rules.
First off, you can't just be "famous for being old." If you’re a 105-year-old person who once appeared in a local news segment, you aren't making the cut. You have to be famous enough that the UK media will definitely report on your passing. Secondly, the list can only carry over 25 names from the previous year. This keeps things "fresh," if you can even use that word in this context.
Basically, it’s a game of probability.
The Big Names on the 2026 Celebrity Countdown
The 2026 list is heavy on the centenarians. Dick Van Dyke (101) and Eva Marie Saint (102) are right at the top. It feels almost disrespectful to track them like this, especially since Van Dyke still seems to have more energy than most people in their thirties.
But then you have the newcomers. This year, for the first time, Joe Biden has made the list at 84. The committee usually avoids sitting politicians unless there’s a massive health concern, but since he’s now a former president, he’s "fair game" by their standards.
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Then there’s William Shatner. Captain Kirk himself is 95 now. He’s been vocal about his health in the past, including a stage 4 melanoma diagnosis back in 2024. Even though he went into remission, the site's logic is that at his age, any major health scare makes him a "strong candidate."
Why the 2026 List is Breaking Records
The average age on the list this year is 88. That’s the highest it’s ever been.
Honestly, the site is trying to bounce back from a few "bad" years. In 2024, they only got six right—their worst performance in three decades. But 2025 was a "success" for them (if you want to call it that), with 11 deaths recorded, including legends like Gene Hackman and Giorgio Armani.
The Morbid Accuracy of the Past
We can’t talk about this without mentioning the years it actually worked. In 2020, the list correctly predicted 20 deaths. That was the year we lost Kirk Douglas, Sean Connery, and Vera Lynn.
There's a weird psychological thing that happens here. When a name gets "ticked off," the forums on the site explode. People discuss the cause of death, the legacy, and how many points they "scored." It’s deeply clinical.
Take Shane MacGowan in 2023. The Pogue's frontman was on the list for years because of his well-documented health struggles. When he finally passed at 65, he was in the "prestigious" number 50 slot. The site basically treats these people like characters in a long-running drama rather than actual human beings.
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Is This Even Ethical?
Let’s be real: it’s pretty gross.
There’s a massive debate every year about whether this violates some kind of digital decency. Experts have often pointed out that "death pools" are a way for people to feel like they have control over the one thing nobody can control.
But it’s not just about the DeathList website. You’ve got people on Reddit and Ranker doing the same thing. Some people even put money on it. It’s a culture that thrives on the "death watch."
"Death is a fundamental element of human life, and there are few instances in which you can twist that certainty into something both enjoyable and that you feel you have control over." — The Georgetown Voice
That quote kinda nails it. It’s a coping mechanism, even if it’s a twisted one.
The Weird Phenomenon of Self-Predictions
Sometimes the celebrities do the work for the list-makers.
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- Mark Twain famously predicted he’d go out with Halley's Comet. He did.
- Pete Murray, who is currently on the 2026 list at 101, has been a fixture for years.
- Esther Rantzen is at number one this year. She’s been very public about her battle with stage 4 lung cancer and her advocacy for assisted dying.
When a celebrity is that open about their own mortality, it almost feels like the DeathList is just following their lead. But it still feels "icky" to see it formatted into a numbered list.
Why 2026 is Different
This year feels different because of the sheer "A-list" nature of the names. We aren't just talking about obscure character actors. We're talking about David Attenborough (100), Clint Eastwood (96), and Dame Judi Dench (94).
Dench has been open about her macular degeneration making it impossible to see scripts. When icons like that are added, it feels less like a game and more like the closing of an era.
Actionable Insights: How to Handle the News
If you find yourself getting sucked into the morbid world of celebrity death lists, here’s how to keep a level head:
- Verify the Source: Sites like The DeathList are predictions, not news. If you see a name "trending," check a reputable outlet like the BBC or AP before you post your "RIP" message.
- Understand the Bias: These lists favor the old and the sick. They aren't magical; they’re just playing the odds.
- Focus on the Legacy: Instead of counting down the days, use the interest to revisit their work. Go watch The Dick Van Dyke Show or a Judi Dench film.
- Mind the Hoaxes: Celebrity death hoaxes are more common than actual deaths. In 2026, AI-generated "news" videos are making it even harder to tell what's real.
The 2026 list will continue to be updated throughout the year. Whether they break their record or have another "slow" year, the controversy isn't going anywhere. It’s a dark mirror of our obsession with fame—and our fear of what comes after.