Family Death Pool 2026 Roster Finalized

The annual Family Death Pool has officially locked in its roster for 2026, marking another chapter in this long-running tradition of morbid predictions and competitive camaraderie.  

Recently uncovered pictures reveal never seen before images of the Family Death Pool gathering, capturing officials and participants in candid moments as they finalize their picks for the year.

Gathering of Family Death Pool officials and participants.

Office of the Family Death Pool 

Host and co-legal official, Katie Luther,
collaborates with Trevor Leto, multi-year winner.

The Leto Dynasty Strikes Again

The 2025 season ended with Trevor Leto of the famed Leto dynasty walking away victorious. His winning pick of Dick Cheney cemented yet another triumph for the family, continuing their streak of uncanny foresight.

2026: A New Year, A New Roster

This year, 56 participants gathered to make their selections, each wagering $5.00 per pick. With the pool now finalized, the purse stands at $280—a prize that will go to the sharp-eyed player who correctly predicts the next notable passing and is the youngest to pass next year (formula: 100, minus celebrity age at death=your score).

Familiar Names Return

Some figures have become fixtures on the Death Pool roster, year after year. Charley Sheen, Cher, and Harvey Weinstein remain popular choices, their names once again appearing among the contenders for 2026.

The Bill Cosby Debate

Before the roster could be finalized, extensive research was conducted to determine the status of Bill Cosby. After much deliberation, the answer was confirmed: Alive. His fate now rests in the hands of Chad Ulrich, who claimed Cosby as his official pick for the year.

Looking Ahead

The Family Death Pool continues to blend dark humor with spirited competition, drawing friends and family together in a unique annual ritual. With $280 on the line, the stakes are higher than ever.

Good luck to all participants—may your predictions prove eerily accurate.

 

 

 

🏆 Winners’ Circle

The Family Death Pool has crowned many sharp-eyed champions over the years. Their uncanny ability to predict the next notable passing has earned them bragging rights and a place in the Winners’ Circle.

 

 

 

💀 The Family Death Pool 2025: Final Countdown & 2026 Draft Rules

As the leaves fall and the turkey timer ticks down, so too does the 2025 Family Death Pool season. The final bell tolls at noon on Thanksgiving Day, and with it, the chance to claim eternal (or at least seasonal) bragging rights.

🏆 2025 Leaderboard: Who’s Dying to Win?

The Leto dynasty is at it again. Trevor Leto leads the pack with Dick Cheney (age 84) netting a solid 16 points, while Brad Milsap is hot on his heels with Bob Uecker (age 90) earning 10 points. Will there be a last-minute upset? A surprise obituary? Only time—and fate—will tell.  $350 is the take home to the winner!

Dick Cheney served as 46th Vice President from 2001-2009 under President George W. Bush

American professional baseball catcher and sportscaster

🦃 2026 Season: Drafting Your Picks Before the Dead End

With the 2026 season looming, it’s time to sharpen your strategy and submit your picks. Whether you're a seasoned player or a fresh face in the pool, here’s how to enter:

💸 Entry Fee

• $5.00 per player
• Venmo Laura Zibell @Laura-Zibell anytime before noon on Thanksgiving Day
• Or hand off your cash to someone attending the ceremony in person

📝 Pick Submission

• Current players keeping their pick: Just pay your fee.
• Current players choosing a new pick: Submit 1 primary pick + 2 alternates in priority order and $5.00
• New players: Submit 3 picks in priority order and $5.00

Alternate picks are essential due to the randomness of the draft. All picks and payments must be in by Thanksgiving noon—no exceptions, no resurrections.

📜 2026 Official Rules

1. Celebrity must be famous before death.
2. No death row inmates.
3. You cannot kill your pick (seriously).
4. Pick must be alive at time of submission.
5. Must be human (no pets, no AI).
6. No terminal illness diagnoses (AIDS and dementia are considered terminal).
7. Points = 100 minus age at death.
8. All entries due by Thanksgiving noon.
9. Roll-over rule: If you missed last year, pay for both years and get 1 pick.
10. Must be able to verbalize your pick (no unborns or coma patients).
11. Must be paid up to win.
12. Current pick holders have first refusal rights, even posthumously.

Whether you're in it for the points, the legacy, or the morbid camaraderie, the Family Death Pool remains a cherished tradition of dark humor, strategic thinking, and holiday bonding. So sharpen your pencils, scan the tabloids, and get those picks in before the turkey hits the table.

Happy drafting—and may the odds be ever in your favor.

🧾 2025 Family Death Pool Roster

Here’s the full lineup of this year’s hopefuls, strategists, and long-shot dreamers. Some went bold, some went old, and a few went... creative...

 🏅 Family Death Pool Winners Circle

A look back at the legends, the long shots, and the lucky calls that defined each year’s glory: