Last Days

On October 5, 2011, Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder who revolutionized personal computing and transformed the way we listen to music, watch movies, and communicate over the phone, died of pancreatic cancer. Jobs's legacy is complex - he was both a relentless innovator and a workplace tyrant, an unmatched visionary and someone who often took credit for the ideas of others. But through it all, Stev...

On September 4, 2006, Steve Irwin -- the global sensation best known as "The Crocodile Hunter" from his countless nature shows -- was killed in a freak accident while filming near the Great Barrier Reef. Despite the inherent danger of his profession, the sudden tragedy shocked the world and shattered the lives of his wife and two young children, who have spent the ensuing years carrying on his leg...

On November 1, 2023, Bobby Knight -- the legendary college basketball coach best known for his trademark red sweater and fiery outbursts -- passed away at the age of 83 after years of declining health. Although lauded by many former players and fellow coaches for his undeniable contributions to the game, his legacy is complicated by his controversial antics off the court. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Ja...

On Saturday, October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry – who will forever be remembered for his portrayal of Chandler Bing for ten seasons on Friends – drowned in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. Though Perry struggled for decades with drug and alcohol addiction, his legacy endures as one of the most iconic television actors ever, and a man beloved by cast-mates and fans alike. He was 54 years old. Host...

On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Stephen “tWitch” Boss - who achieved fame as the DJ for 8 seasons on the Ellen DeGeneres Show – took his own life in a Los Angeles-area motel room. Without a clear explanation for why the man with the million-watt smile and a loving family could choose to end it all, rumors and speculation began to fill the void: Was it financial problems or difficulties at home? Did...

On October 15, 2023, Suzanne Somers — who delighted audiences in the 70s as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company before reinventing herself as a fitness icon with the ThighMaster in the 90s — passed away at the age of 76 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her friends, family, and adoring fans mourned her passing, but she left behind a legacy of warmth, optimism, and cheerful perseverance that won’t so...

Naomi Judd is one of the most accomplished country music singers and songwriters in history. But despite her success, she could never overcome the crippling depression and anxiety that, borne from unimaginable childhood trauma, would come to define her adult life and, ultimately, become too much for her to bear. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...

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...