Last Days

On October 1, 2023, Tim Wakefield -- who rode his fluttery knuckleball to a 19-year MLB career -- died from brain cancer at the age of 57. Although he'd been keeping the health battle private, former teammate Curt Schilling revealed the diagnosis on a podcast just days before Wakefield's death. The shock and heartbreak throughout the baseball world upon hearing the sad news of his passing is a tes...

On September 21, 1998, Florence Griffith Joyner -- better known in the sporting world as Flo-Jo -- passed away in her sleep at the age of 38. Just a decade removed from taking home three gold medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics, her sudden death shocked and saddened her family and friends, and she remains a celebrated, albeit controversial, figure in the world of track and field to this day. Hosts:...

In the early hours of October 31, 1993, River Phoenix, the talented young actor who gained acclaim for his role in "Stand by Me," died of an overdose of heroin and cocaine while partying at The Viper Room, the famous Sunset Strip club owned by Johnny Depp. Phoenix's demise abruptly ended what had been one of the most promising careers in the entertainment industry, shedding a poignant spotlight on...

On March 4, 1994, John Candy -- best known for a slew of hilarious comedies like from Stripes to Uncle Buck -- died at the age of 43 after suffering a massive heart attack in his sleep while filming a movie in Mexico. His loss was felt throughout the entertainment industry, but the comedic legend left behind a rich legacy that won't soon be forgotten. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn m...

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon – the iconic singer, songwriter, and peace activist - was assassinated in front of his New York City apartment building by a delusional loner named Marc David Chapman. The tragedy not only robbed the world of an unmatched musical genius, but also symbolized the poignant end of an era, evoking an unprecedented wave of sorrow and mourning that continues to resonate t...

On September 1, 2023, Jimmy Buffett -- the singer/songwriter behind the signature laid-back anthem, "Margaritaville" -- passed away at the age of 76 at his home in Long Island after a lengthy battle with a rare form of skin cancer. Although best known for spreading vacation vibes in his trop rock classics, Buffett was a tireless businessman who touched nearly every aspect of the entertainment worl...

On January 30, 2018, Mark Salling -- best known for playing Noah "Puck" Puckerman on Fox's hit show Glee -- took his own life less than two months before he was scheduled to be sentenced for possession of child pornography. Unlike the tragedies that befell his co-stars, the upsetting nature of Salling's crimes have nearly completely obscured the once-promising legacy he left behind. Hosts: Jason B...

On July 8, Naya Rivera - the triple-threat talent who shot to fame playing Santana Lopez on Glee - vanished during a boating excursion with her young son. An intense five-day search confirmed she had drowned under circumstances that remain shrouded in mystery. But Naya left a legacy as an exceptional talent and an enduring LGBTQ+ icon. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your a...

On July 13, 2013, Cory Monteith -- one of the breakout stars of Fox's Glee -- was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room, the victim of an accidental overdose just a few months after a stint in rehab. His sudden passing forever changed the trajectory of the feel-good singing show, but the young actor's tragically brief life left an indelible mark in Hollywood. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman...

On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston - whose iconic voice forged many of the most indelible moments in music history – drowned in the bathtub of her Beverly Hills hotel room. Though battles with addiction and a turbulent marriage to Bobby Brown derailed her career, her legacy remains that of an unparalleled vocal talent and extraordinary performer. Host: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more...

On April 27, 2002, Ruth Handler -- the creator of the original Barbie doll that transformed the toy industry and has become a cultural icon without equal -- passed away at the age of 85 from surgical complications to treat her colon cancer. With the unprecedented success of the Barbie movie, it's clear that Handler's creation from 1959 continues to resonate well into the 21st century. But can the...

On September 14, 2009, Patrick Swayze -- the iconic leading man from such classics as Dirty Dancing and Ghost -- passed away after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. As the world mourned his death, shocking details emerged about the final months of his life that painted a tragic picture of one of Hollywood's most unique talents. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad...

On July 30, 2023, Paul Reubens – best known for his groundbreaking portrayal of Pee-wee Herman – died at age 70 after a six-year battle with cancer. Reubens redefined children's movies and television in the 1980’s through his absurdist style of storytelling and humor. And though his career would ultimately be derailed by scandal, he remained universally admired by those who knew him well for his t...

On February 8, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith -- the vivacious former Playboy model and reality-television personality -- died at the age of 39 in a hotel room in Hollywood, Florida from a toxic brew of drugs in her system. During her life, Smith redefined beauty standards and achieved a level of fame that far exceeded her modest beginnings in a small Texan town, but her success was marred by a storm of...

On July 26, 2023, Sinead O'Connor -- the iconoclastic Irish singer most known for the smash hit "Nothing Compares 2 U" and ripping up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live -- died at the age of 56. Although she struggled with mental health issues and personal tragedies for much of her life, O'Connor will be remembered as one of the most talented, uncompromising, and fearless protest artists o...

On March 31, 1993, Brandon Lee -- the son of iconic martial artist Bruce Lee -- was fatally shot while filming a scene for his upcoming gothic superhero movie The Crow. Nearly 30 years later, another gun-related tragedy on the set of Alec Baldwin's movie Rust served as a stark reminder that ensuring safety on sets remains a pressing issue for the film industry to this day. But can it be solved? Ho...

On June 8, 2018, Anthony Bourdain - "the original rockstar of the culinary world" who revolutionized food literature and television - died by suicide in a hotel room in an idyllic village in eastern France. Bourdain's cool authenticity and quiet intelligence had for two decades ingratiated him with audiences, but also masked deep-seated insecurities and depression that, on one fateful night, rushe...

On February 2, 2014, Philip Seymour Hoffman -- the actor frequently labeled the most talented of his generation -- was found dead in his apartment with a syringe still hanging out of his arm and dozens of heroin baggies scattered throughout the place. Although he left behind an onscreen legacy that's unlikely to be equaled, Hoffman's sudden passing also left a gaping hole in movies that may never...

On April 21, 2016, Prince Rogers Nelson, just 57 years old, died from an overdose of fentanyl-laced pain killers in the elevator of his Minneapolis home. And though the ensuing investigation revealed the extent of his addiction, it did nothing to tarnish his legacy as one of the most gifted and admired people in the history of music. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad...

On March 18, 2009, Natasha Richardson -- the talented star perhaps best known for her role as Lindsay Lohan's mother in The Parent Trap -- died after suffering what seemed like a minor injury at a ski resort in Canada. Her unexpected passing shocked the Hollywood community and forever changed the lives of her friends and family, but it's become an important cautionary tale that has probably ended...

On April 22, 2004, former NFL star Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire in a remote canyon in eastern Afghanistan. Over the next few weeks, a small but powerful group of people within the United States chain-of-command hatched a plan to cover-up how Tillman died. And though the truth eventually emerged, the damage was done: to the military for engaging in the cover up, to Tillman’s family who h...

On February 18, 2001, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt suffered a fatal injury after he crashed his trademark No. 3 Chevy during the final lap of the Daytona 500. His death not only shocked his family, friends, and legions of fans but also changed the sport of stock car racing forever. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On June 7, 2023, The Iron Sheik -- perhaps the most famous villain in the history of professional wrestling -- passed away at the age of 81. A true legend in the ring and the chief adversary of Hulk Hogan in the 80s, he played an instrumental role in transforming the sport from a local novelty led by traveling entertainers into a full-blown global phenomenon. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman...

On March 5, 1982, John Belushi – just 33 years old and widely considered one of the great comedic geniuses of all time – died of an overdose of cocaine and heroin. Much of the chatter following Belushi’s death centered upon his addictions and the sordid life he often lived, but his legacy remains the timeless characters he created and his fearless comedic style that has inspired generations of bou...

On May 28, 1998, Phil Hartman – star of Saturday Night Live and voice of countless characters on The Simpsons – was shot and killed in bed by his wife in the middle of the night. But the murder turned out to be only a prelude to one of the most shocking tragedies ever to rock Hollywood, leaving fans to mourn the death of a comedy icon while family and friends struggled to make sense of it all. Hos...