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 life in the biggest fashion houses in the world. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, plea...
Sep 30, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 52
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 Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived...
Sep 24, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 51
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 former colleague Allen Bellman speaks of his early years and the development of his craft. To listen to...
Sep 16, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 50
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
Sep 10, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 49
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 set of Aliens. To listen to previous episodes of A Life Lived, please visit podfollow.com/alifelived...
Aug 26, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 48
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
Aug 19, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 47
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
Aug 05, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 46
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 trilogy and is available for purchase.
Jul 29, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 45
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/1496837975...
Jul 22, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 44
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.
Jul 15, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 43
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.
Jul 01, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 42
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.quarto.com/books/9780760379462/betty-white-2nd-edition Herbie J Pilato's book - NBC & Me, My li...
Jun 24, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 41
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.
Jun 17, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 40
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: Before, During, and After His Most Famous Role...
Jun 10, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 39
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. Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes each week....
Jun 05, 2024•1 min•Season 3Ep. 38
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 part two, we take closer a look at how Bruce fought through chronic pain to become one of the first a...
Feb 22, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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 part one, we find out how a young immigrant would *literally* fight to become a household name....
Feb 22, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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 houses of 1950’s Paris - and inside the life of a visionary that changed the industry, one stitch at a ...
Feb 15, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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 Shields and author Greg Neri.
Feb 08, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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.
Feb 01, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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.
Jan 25, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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.
Jan 18, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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.
Jan 11, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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 passion for activism and philanthropy to make his mark - and the simple pleasures that he held dear....
Jan 04, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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 eventually lead him to tread the boards - and take Hollywood hostage.
Jan 04, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Whitney Houston’s life is a story of victory over adversity. Of love and heartache. Of regeneration after decimation. This gospel queen escaped the ghetto and lived out her dream - but fairytales don’t always have happy endings. Stephanie Okupniak is joined by singer-songwriter Gordon Chambers and backing singer Sy Smith for a journey through Whitney’s life. In part two, we see what happens when America’s sweetheart goes down the wrong path - and how a soulful diva handles losing her voice....
Dec 14, 2020•30 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Whitney Houston’s life is a story of victory over adversity. Of love and heartache. Of regeneration after decimation. This gospel queen escaped the ghetto and lived out her dream - but fairytales don’t always have happy endings. Stephanie Okupniak is joined by singer-songwriter Gordon Chambers and backing singer Sy Smith for a journey through Whitney’s life. In part one, we find out how a young girl’s faith led her to fame - and how she united America.
Dec 14, 2020•42 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Rambling troubadour. Strumming vagabond. An American treasure. Rock and roll icon Tom Petty is forever Free Fallin’. From rural Florida to the bright lights of Hollywood, Stephanie Okupniak takes us on a journey through Tom’s life alongside his good friend, record promoter Jon Scott.
Dec 07, 2020•52 min•Season 2Ep. 6
B.B. King is the blues. The musical giant performed with everyone from rockstars to presidents through the decades - and provided the soundtrack to 20th century America - all with his beloved Lucille by his side. Stephanie Okupniak honours the life of this Beale Street icon with the help of his daughter Shirley King, former drummer Tony Coleman and close friend Chris Clouser.
Nov 30, 2020•47 min•Season 2Ep. 5
What would you be willing to give up to be famous? George Michael gave his fans songs they will sing for the rest of their lives - but he had to live a lie for decades. Stephanie Okupniak is joined by his friend and manager Rob Kahane and publicist Phil Lobel to shine a spotlight on his life. In part two, we find out how George was inspired by love and loss to create some of his most iconic tracks - but was never far from controversy.
Nov 23, 2020•26 min•Season 2Ep. 4
