| 100% | PAULALLEN | 9 | Billionaire philanthropist who died in October 2018: 2 wds. |
| 65% | MELINDAGATES | 12 | Billionaire philanthropist who co-constructed a New York Times crossword in 2018: 2 wds. |
| 61% | DELA | 4 | Oscar ___ Renta (designer who died in October): 2 wds. |
| 46% | JAMESDEAN | 9 | Iconic "East of Eden" star who died in a crash in 1955: 2 wds. |
| 46% | LEONARDNIMOY | 12 | Portrayer of Mr. Spock who died in 2015: 2 wds. |
| 45% | DEREKSHEPHERD | 13 | Patrick Dempsey character who died in last Thursday's episode of 18-Across: 2 wds. |
| 45% | RAYNAJAYMES | 11 | Connie Britton's "Nashville" character who died in season 5: 2 wds. |
| 42% | DEREKSHEPHERD | 13 | Patrick Dempsey's "Grey's Anatomy" character who died in season 11: 2 wds. |
| 42% | EDDARDSTARK | 11 | Sean Bean's "Game of Thrones" character who died in season 1: 2 wds. |
| 42% | LIAM | 4 | One Direction singer Payne who died in October |
| 41% | ARETHA | 6 | Singer Franklin who died in 2018 |
| 41% | VANDERBILT | 10 | Cornelius —, New York-born businessman and philanthropist who died in 1877 |
| 40% | ANTHONY | 7 | Celebrity chef Bourdain who died in 2018 |
| 40% | TAB | 3 | Actor/singer Hunter who died in 2018 |
| 39% | OKRA | 4 | "Mr. ___" (New Orleans produce vendor who died in 2018) |
| 39% | GABRIELBYRNE | 12 | Irish-born actor who costarred in the 2018 movie "Hereditary": 2 wds. |
| 39% | COLINFARRELL | 12 | Irish-born actor who costarred in the 2018 movie "Widows": 2 wds. |
| 38% | EDDIEVANHALEN | 13 | “Jump” rocker (hailed by Gene Simmons as a “guitar god”) who died in October, 2020 |
| 38% | GEORGEMICHAEL | 13 | Singer who died on 12/25/16: 2 wds. |
| 38% | BRADLEYCOOPER | 13 | Actor who starred in and made his directorial debut with 2018's "A Star Is Born": 2 wds. |
| 37% | ORSONWELLES | 11 | "Citizen Kane" star who died on the same day as Yul Brynner (October 10, 1985): 2 wds. |
| 37% | RACHELMCADAMS | 13 | Actress who plays Annie in the 2018 action comedy film "Game Night": 2 wds. |
| 36% | JOANRIVERS | 10 | Pioneering comedian who died on 9/4/14: 2 wds. |
| 36% | MAYAANGELOU | 11 | Poet/memoirist who died on 5/28/14: 2 wds. |
| 36% | NANCY | 5 | Jazz singer Wilson who died in December 2018 |
| 36% | PIERCEBROSNAN | 13 | Irish-born actor who costarred in the 2018 movie "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again": 2 wds. |
| 36% | DEBBIEREYNOLDS | 14 | "Singin' in the Rain" actress who died on December 28, 2016: 2 wds. |
| 36% | TOM | 3 | Rock legend Petty who died at age 66 on October 2 |
| 36% | EARLWEAVER | 10 | Legendary Baltimore manager who died on 1/19/2013: 2 wds. |