Below you will find DeathList 2017, a list of 50 celebrities selected by an expert committee for their likelihood to die during 2017. There are a few rules to DeathList summarised as follows: Candidates must be famous enough such that their death is expected to be reported by the UK media; Candidates cannot be famous solely for the fact they are likely to die in the near future and only 25 candidates can reappear from the previous year’s list. 2016 was billed as the year of the celebrity death by some and, although DeathList 2016 started strongly, it hit a very lean period from June to November and ended with a final score of 12, two below the all time record of 14. Has the big celebrity clear-out of 2016 made the task more challenging for 2017 or will the rate of celebrity deaths continue apace? Only time will tell...
It’s been said many times that the purpose of DeathList is not to wish for the demise of well known figures for the purpose of entertainment. Indeed, more often than not, it is sad to see the passing of a celebrity from the list that has made a positive contribution to the human race. None of this, however, applies to Ian Brady, the Moors Murderer, who may have just made his first positive contribution to society in finally passing at the age of 79. Between 1963 and 1965, Brady, along with partner Myra Hindley, sexually assaulted and slayed 5 children and disposed of the remains of some of their victims on Saddleworth Moor, near Manchester, England. Brady and Hindley were caught and convicted in 1966 and both would spend the rest of their lives in prison. Brady never showed any remorse for his crimes and, over many years, appeared to toy with police attempting to locate the remains of his victims. He had reportedly been on hunger strike (and at times force fed) since 1999 in a, possibly half-hearted, attempt to kill himself. Hindley died in 2002, which caused Brady to sulk that he was not allowed to die. At least the world is a slightly better place now that he has gone and DeathList 2017 has its fourth hit.
Billionaire philanthropist, David Rockefeller, has made his last donation by contributing a hit for DeathList 2017. David Rockefeller was the grandson of the wealthiest American ever, John D. Rockefeller Sr, who made a vast fortune in the oil industry. Rockefeller had a long career at Chase Manhattan bank between the 1946 and 1981. In his later years, he become known as a generous philanthropist, giving away more than $2 billion during his lifetime. Despite this, his net worth was still estimated to be in excess of £3 billion. He was 101 years old when he died and was making his first appearance on DeathList, claiming 34th place.
South African Rugby icon, Joost Van der Westhuizen, has succumbed to motor neuron disease to provide DeathList 2017 with its second success. Van der Westhuizen got his first South African cap in 1993 and, in 1995, was a key part of the South African team that defeated the All Blacks in the final to win the Rugby World Cup. By the time of his retirement in 2003 he held the record for most capped player for South Africa with 111 appearances. After being diagnosed with the disease in 2011, Van der Westhuizen went on to chalk up four appearances on DeathList, although this year was only selected in 47th position.
Sitcom legend, Mary Tyler Moore, has passed away to provide DeathList 2017 with its inaugural success. Moore is most famous for her US Sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which ran for seven years in the early 1970s. The show was a huge success and produced several spin off shows including Rhoda and Lou Grant, both of which were also very successful and all of which were produced by the production company she set up with her husband. Prior to this, Moore had played Laura Petrie in another hit show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, for five seasons in the 1960s. In addition to her TV work, Moore also had some success in movies, most significantly in the 1980 movie, Ordinary People, for which she received an Oscar nomination. Moore had faced a number of health problems in recent times and was 80 years old when she died. She was making her second appearance on DeathList but only just snuck into 48th place on this year’s list.
