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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 testament to Wakefield's legacy both on and off the field. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman L...
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: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...
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 the challenges stemming from his traumatic childhood. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman L...
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 more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 today. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Sponsors: ARTICLE Visit Article.com/TMZ for $50 off...
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 world, as well as a devoted philanthropist who left a lasting mark on the world. Hosts: Jason Beckerman ...
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 Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 values underpinning an impossibly thin and busty doll created more than 60 years ago be reconciled w...
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 choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 talent, his kindness, and his gentility. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Matt Weiss Learn more about you...
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 controversy over her brief marriage to an elderly oil tycoon and a litany of personal tragedies and ...
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 of the late 20th century. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Eric Colley Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
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? Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...
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, rushed forward with heartbreaking results. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about yo...
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 be filled. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...
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 choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 up saving countless lives. Hosts: Derek Kaufman and Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices...
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 had been lied to repeatedly, and to the legacy of Pat Tillman, one of the most complicated heroes of ...
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 boundary-pushing comics. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
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. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
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 a whole new generation of people and allowed her to transform from music icon to living legend. Host...
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 Becerkman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
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 paved the way for later generations to openly fight for the causes that matter to them. Hosts: Jason...
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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
