Last Days

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...

On May 24, 2023, Tina Turner – the iconic Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll who dazzled legions of fans with her electric performances for more than six decades – passed away after a long illness at the age of 83. Although already a vibrant and singular presence in music by the late 60s, her incredible comeback in the mid-80s after enduring years of abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Ike Turner, inspired...

On December 18, 1997, Chris Farley – known to his cadre of famous friends as the funniest and kindest man they’d ever known – died from an overdose of cocaine and heroin. His death was the heartbreaking conclusion of a life lived in the grip of addiction and serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of fame and the perils of a system designed to extract a laugh at any cost. Host: Jason Becer...

On May 19, 2023, Jim Brown - quite possibly the greatest American athlete ever - died after a long illness. As great as Brown was on the field, his most indelible impact may well be be as a civil rights pioneer who fought fiercely for revolutionary causes. During a time when athletes – especially Black athletes – were expected to keep their ideas to themselves, Brown was a proud rabble-rouser who...

On September 11, 2003, John Ritter - the popular sitcom superstar from Three's Company - suddenly fell ill on the set of his new show and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from a rare heart condition. As the world mourned the passing of a comedic legend, his family and friends were left to wonder -- was it preventable? Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your...

On March 31, 1995, Selena – 23 years old and on the verge of superstardom – was shot and killed by her former employee and best friend, and the world was left to wonder why it had happened, and what might have been for one of the most beloved young artists in the history of music. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the height of the COVID lockdown, the world found out about the death of Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer from a heartbreaking post on social media. After a string of successful biopics and the enormous success of Black Panther, his sudden passing at the age of 43 from colon cancer shocked his fans and colleagues in the film community, who soon learned it was anything but sudden. Hosts: Jason...

On April 27, 2023, Jerry Springer died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 79. Although one of the most controversial people in the history of television, his passing has been met with a tidal wave of affection that underscores the enormity of his impact on American culture. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Young, handsome, and enormously talented, Heath Ledger was destined to be a superstar until his addiction to prescription meds took his life. But Ledger’s death was more complex – and perhaps more sinister - than anyone knew, and sparked an investigation into another huge Hollywood star who many still blame for his death. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes burst onto the Atlanta music scene with her TLC bandmates back in the 90s, but her successes on the Billboard charts were often paired with a tumultuous personal life. Still, her sudden death in 2002 from a car accident in Honduras shocked the world and left many with more questions than answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On January 9, 2022, Bob Saget was found dead in a Florida hotel. The evening before, the "Full House" star performed a stand-up routine at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Fans and friends of Saget were shocked by the actor's sudden death, as the comedian was not suffering from any medical ailments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On December 20, 2009, Brittany Murphy -- the actress who rose to fame as Tai Frasier in "Clueless" -- died in her Los Angeles home. Murphy's death sent shockwaves through Hollywood as the "8 Mile" star was gearing up for a return to the spotlight. Shortly after her death, details of Murphy's tragic final days were brought to light.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...

On May 20, 2011, "Macho Man" Randy Savage -- one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling -- tragically died behind the wheel of his car after dining at a restaurant near his Florida home. His sudden death left his family and legions of fans in utter shock, but the Macho Man's lasting legacy in the world of sports and entertainment remains unrivaled to this day. Learn more about your ad choi...

On June 3, 2009, David Carradine was found dead in a swanky Bangkok hotel, giving rise to one of Hollywood’s great tales of sex and misfortune, allegations of murder, and an international search for the truth amidst the madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On June 19, 2013, James Gandolfini -- star of HBO's The Sopranos -- died suddenly during a trip to Italy with his young son. The unexpected passing of the legendary actor sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, but he left behind a legacy in the world of prestige television that will not soon be forgotten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah died tragically in a plane crash along with the pilot and seven other passengers. After the singer's death, shocking details came to light about about the doomed flight that forever changed the world of music and entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On July 23, 2011, Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London home. Although the "Back To Black" singer had struggled with substance abuse for years, the details surrounding her death painted an even more tragic picture of the latest entrant into the 27 Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On August 11, 2014, Robin Williams killed himself in his California home. Williams -- often hailed as one of the greatest comedians of all time -- battled substance abuse and bouts of depression during his life, but the world was shocked to learn the real reason he took his own life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On November 30, 2013, Paul Walker died in a single-car collision on his way to a charity event in Los Angeles. We'll explore the final moments of the entertainer's life and the legal fallout that ensued after his death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices