A Life Lived

Alexander McQueen was one of the most striking, controversial and talented designers of his generation. But how did a taxi driver's son from Lewisham become a four-time 'British Designer of the Year' and attract the following of stars from Lady Gaga to Kate Moss. Join Stephanie Okupniak and authors Andrew Wilson and Dana Thomas to hear the story of the boy who swapped life in a council house for l...

Join Stephanie Okupniak as we find out how a preacher's daughter who was raised by the church would go on to become the voice of a generation - and winner of 18 Grammy Awards in a remarkable career which spanned six decades. Documentary film producer Tirrell D. Whitley and newscaster & journalist Evrod Cassimy shine a light on the life of the musical icon. To listen to previous episodes of A L...

The origin story to end them all. Stan Lee's influence on modern culture is unquestionable, but how did a boy who lived in an apartment with one window develop an imagination that would wow the world? Join Stephanie Okupniak to discover how Stan Lee and his comic book creations conquered the world of cinema, one cameo at a time. Sandy Fries explains how it felt to have Stan as a boss and Lee's for...

Host Stephanie Okupniak goes on a journey with sports journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo to discover what makes football globally tactile and how Diego Maradona transformed the sport into an art. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

Join Stephanie Okupniak to discover how Bill Paxton went from painting sets with James Cameron to starring in the legendary Director's biggest movies. So stop your grinning and drop your linen to spend to time with co-stars Paul Reiser, Mark Rolston and Jenette Goldstein as they share their wonderful stories of Bill, from the bus ride he took to meet his wife to the camaraderie he brought to the s...

A Life Lived Host Stephanie Okupniak chats with Muhammad Ali's daughter Hana about her father's playful side and his love of life (and women!), alongside Sky Sports Boxing correspondent Johnny Nelson on what made 'The Greatest' so great. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

A Life Lived host Stephanie Okupniak talks with screenwriter Gavin Scott about 20 years of friendship and collaboration with the Monty Python, Terry Jones. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived

Host Stephanie Okupniak talks with comedy legends Helen Lederer and Nigel Planer about pushing comedy boundaries on The Young Ones and Bottom with the punk rocker of comedy - Rik Mayall. Helen Lederer's memoir Not That I'm Bitter is available to buy wherever online and in your favourite bookshop Nigel Planer's book Jeremiah Bourne in Time  is the first instalment of his Time Shard Chronicles trilo...

A Life Lived  host Stephanie Okupniak takes with actor Neil Dudgeon behind the scenes to find out what made Dame Diana Rigg as biographer Herbie J Pilato delves into what made the actress steal the hearts of generations. Herbie J Pilato's biography  One Tough Dame: The Life and Career of Diana Rigg  is available for presale here:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Tough-Dame-Hollywood-Legends/dp/149683...

A Life Lived host Stephanie Okupniak talks to photographer and filmmaker Gobi Rahimi about how the son of a Black Panther activist would grow up to be the voice of a movement in this 2019 episode honouring Tupac Shakur.

Michael Kenneth Williams was known for playing tough characters.  He was recognised for the scar across his face.  But his nephew, Dominic DuPont, knew the demons he battled, how hard he worked, the good he gave back to the community and the love and empathy he had for everyone. Michael Kenneth WIlliams's memoir  Scenes from My Life  is available wherever you buy books.

Author Herbie J Pilato, filmmaker William S Tribell and biographer Ray Richmond walk us through the raunchy euphemisms, the pioneering devotion and the sweet and caring nature that paved the way for Betty White to have the longest career in broadcasting than any woman in the Guinness Book of World Records. To learn more about Betty White you can find copies of Ray Richmond's book here: https://www...

In this episode of A Life Lived Stephanie Okupniak speaks with a professor and fellow classmate of Chadwick Boseman when he attended Oxford University for a summer acting course.  The origin story of an artist who had never considered acting before - only to become on of the greatest cinematic heroes of all time.

Stephanie Okupniak learns more about the school dropout from Edinburgh who will win the hearts of millions as the rogue spy 007 with journalist Brian Pendreigh, director Alvin Rakoff and biographer Herbie J Pilato. Alvin Rakoff's memoir I'M JUST THE GUY WHO SAYS ACTION can be found here - alvinrakoff.com Herbie J Pilato's biography Connery, Sean Connery can be found here -  Connery, Sean Connery:...

After a 4-year hiatus - A Life Lived returns!! Join Stephanie Okupniak from June 10th as she speaks with the people closest to icons who have died and finds out what they were really like behind the spotlight. This season she discovers why the mob stalked Sir Sean Connery, how Betty White got into the Guinness Book of World Records and what Chadwick Boseman learned in Hogwarts dining hall.   Follo...

Look up ‘Hollywood action hero’ in the dictionary and you’ll find one name - Bruce Lee. He overcame racism, stereotypes and challenge after challenge to become the world’s first Asian international film icon. Stephanie Okupniak enters the world of martial arts to tell the story of Bruce’s extraordinary life with the help of friend and co-star Bob Wall and students Patrick Strong and Leo Fong.  In...

Look up ‘Hollywood action hero’ in the dictionary and you’ll find one name - Bruce Lee. He overcame racism, stereotypes and challenge after challenge to become the world’s first Asian international film icon. Stephanie Okupniak enters the world of martial arts to tell the story of Bruce’s extraordinary life with the help of friend and co-star Bob Wall and students Patrick Strong and Leo Fong.  In...

Hubert de Givenchy crafted exquisite, haute couture creations that made women feel powerful, beautiful - and one of a kind.  One of the founding fathers of high fashion, the designer’s legacy is unwavering almost 70 years after the birth of the Maison de Givenchy.  Medical Philanthropist, fashion icon & lifelong friend Deeda Blair takes Stephanie Okupniak back in time to the decadent fashion h...

What does it take to write the great American novel? Harper Lee’s defining work - To Kill a Mockingbird - has stood the test of time.  Surrounded by racism, segregation and injustice growing up in rural Alabama, Lee’s experiences shaped what would go on to become a literary classic.  Stephanie Okupniak goes inside her life - and friendship with Truman Capote - with the help of biographer Charles S...

Margot Kidder was an actress, an activist, a daredevil, an outspoken campaigner - but first and foremost - a mother. In her role as Lois Lane she set the benchmark for fierce, feminist leading ladies.  Stephanie Okupniak goes inside her tumultuous life with the help of brother John Kidder and close friend Rosie Shuster.

There are some performers that just seem frozen in time. Hold your breath, make a wish, count to three - and let us take you inside the life of one of Hollywood’s most hypnotic stars - Gene Wilder. But he was so much more than Willy Wonka, than Frederick Frankenstein, than Leo Bloom. Gene’s beloved nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman joins Stephanie Okupniak to honour the legacy of this movie icon.

He may have been small in stature, but Verne Troyer had a giant personality.  In a career that spanned 25 years he starred on the big screen as Mini-Me, Little Santa, Alien Son and Baby Joe - but off it he was a total sweetheart.  Actress and co-star Mindy Sterling and director Richard Elfman fondly remember the life of the 2’8”, 35-pound movie icon. 

Debbie Reynolds was a force to be reckoned with.  A member of Hollywood royalty, she faced scandal after scandal after scandal - yet bounced back bigger and better every time.  Debbie’s son Todd Fisher joins Stephanie Okupniak to take us beyond the headlines - and shines a bright light on what life with his iconic mother was really like.

What’s it like being one of Hollywood’s greatest villains - with a heart of gold? Alan Rickman played a professor, a doctor, an angel, a terrorist - but above all - he was a brother, son, husband and friend.  Actress and collaborator Juliet Stevenson and brothers David and Michael take us inside the life of the star of the stage and big screen. In part one, we find out how Alan’s love of art would...

What’s it like being one of Hollywood’s greatest villains - with a heart of gold? Alan Rickman played a professor, a doctor, an angel, a terrorist - but above all - he was a brother, son, husband and friend.  Actress and collaborator Juliet Stevenson and brothers David and Michael take us inside the life of the star of the stage and big screen. In part two, we take a look at how Alan used his pass...