Here is how this game works:

I'll give a name of a famous person. For example, James Earl Jones. Since he is still alive, you would reply and say alive. Then you'd move on to another person and then anyone will guess whether that person is alive. OK. Let's get this game on!

Muhammad Ali

alive

Sophia Loren

alive

Rod Roddy

dead

John Ritter

dead
Robert Stack

Dead.

Rod Serling

Dead
Fred Rogers