Last Days

On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley — the Jamaican singer, songwriter, and cultural revolutionary who brought reggae and Rastafarianism to the global stage — died of cancer at the age of 36 in Miami. Born in rural Nine Mile and rising from the streets of Kingston’s Trenchtown, Marley fused spiritual conviction with political defiance in songs like “One Love,” “Redemption Song,” and “No Woman, No Cry.” Though his life was cut short, his music and message of unity, resistance, and peace made him a worldwide symbol of freedom and the enduring soul of Jamaica. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 4, 1993, Hervé Villechaize — the French-born actor and artist best known as Tattoo on Fantasy Island and Nick Nack in The Man with the Golden Gun — died by suicide the age of 50 in North Hollywood. Rising from a difficult childhood in Paris, he became a global television icon whose exuberant cry of “De plane! De plane!” made him a household name and a trailblazer for actors with dwarfism. Though his life ended in tragedy after years of chronic pain and fading fame, Villechaize’s legacy endures as that of a singular performer who turned difference into stardom. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On December 26, 1996, JonBenét Ramsey — a six-year-old beauty pageant contestant from Boulder, Colorado — was found dead in her family’s home, a tragedy that shocked the nation and has remained one of America’s most haunting unsolved cases. The discovery came just hours after her parents reported her missing following the appearance of a lengthy ransom note demanding $118,000. Despite intense media scrutiny and years of investigation, the case has been marked by controversy, shifting suspicions between family members, and numerous theories ranging from intruder involvement to internal cover-up. Advances in forensic technology have since reignited public interest, though no one has ever been charged. JonBenét’s short life and mysterious death continue to fascinate and frustrate investigators and the public alike, symbolizing the enduring complexities of crime, fame, and media in modern America. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On November 3, 2025, Dick Cheney — the former Vice President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, and one of the most powerful and polarizing figures in American political history — died at the age of 84 at his home in Wyoming. Cheney was a dominant force in Washington for more than four decades, shaping U.S. policy through intellect, discipline, and an unyielding belief in American power. Though his life was marked by controversy — from his central role in the Iraq War to the expansion of executive authority after 9/11 — Cheney’s influence on the modern presidency and national security apparatus remains unparalleled in American history. Hosts: Jason Beckerman, Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On May 8, 2020, Roy Horn — one half of the legendary Las Vegas magic duo Siegfried & Roy — passed away at the age of 75. Horn, alongside Siegfried Fischbacher, revolutionized live entertainment with their groundbreaking blend of illusion, spectacle, and their signature white tigers and lions, becoming synonymous with the glitz and grandeur of the Vegas Strip. Their partnership began in Europe and grew into a decades-long phenomenon at The Mirage, where their show became one of the most successful in history. Horn’s life changed forever in 2003 when he was critically injured onstage by a tiger, effectively ending the act but cementing the duo’s place in entertainment lore. By the time of his passing, Roy Horn was remembered not only as a master illusionist but as a man whose bond with animals and commitment to wonder left a permanent mark on show business. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali — the three-time heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, civil rights activist, and one of the most transformative figures in sports and culture — passed away at the age of 74. Ali first rose to prominence after stunning the world with his upset victory over Sonny Liston in 1964, and shortly thereafter changed his name to Muhammad Ali, declaring allegiance to his Muslim faith. In the ring, he was poetry in motion — a heavyweight who could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” — defeating legends like Joe Frazier and George. Outside the ring, his refusal to fight in Vietnam and his lifelong advocacy for justice, dignity, and peace made him a hero to. By the time of his passing, Ali was no longer just “The Greatest” in boxing — he was a citizen of the world, revered for his humanity as much as his athleticism. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 20, 1973, Jim Croce — the singer-songwriter whose plainspoken poetry captured the heart of working-class America — died at the age of 30 in a plane crash just as his star was on the rise. With timeless hits like Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, Operator, and Time in a Bottle, Croce helped revive the folk-rock and singer-songwriter tradition that stretched from Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan, blending blue-collar realism with universal emotion. His sudden death, coming only days before the release of I Got a Name, cut short a remarkable rise and left behind a legacy that has endured for generations. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On October 11, 2025, Diane Keaton — the Oscar-winning actress, director, author, and one of the most singular voices in American cinema — passed away at the age of 79. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Keaton evolved from quirky ingénue to one of Hollywood’s most admired and enduring figures. She first drew notice in The Godfather, but it was her performance in Annie Hall — the role that won her the Academy Award for Best Actress — that cemented her status as a cultural icon. Known for her distinctive style, quick wit, and emotional authenticity, Keaton redefined what it meant to be a leading woman in Hollywood — and in life — inspiring generations of artists and audiences alike Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On May 8, 1999, Dana Plato — the child star who captured America’s heart as Kimberly Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes — died at the age of 34 from a fatal overdose in Moore, Oklahoma. Once one of television’s most recognizable young faces, Plato’s life became a haunting symbol of the perils of early fame, marked by addiction, legal troubles, and an unrelenting struggle to reclaim her place in Hollywood. Her death, coming just one day after a rare television appearance in which she spoke about her attempts at sobriety, underscored the deep human cost of child stardom and left fans reflecting on the fragility behind a once-bright smile that had defined a generation of sitcom nostalgia. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart — a gifted wrestling star and member of one of sport's most legendary families — died at the age of 34 during a live pay-per-view event as a result of a tragic stunt gone terribly wrong. In a career defined by dazzling athleticism, sharp wit, and a willingness to reinvent himself, Hart carved out an identity that balanced technical mastery with playful showmanship and embodied both the grit of a wrestling traditionalist and the charisma of an entertainer destined for larger stages. His shocking death in the ring remains one of the darkest moments in sports entertainment, a tragedy that reshaped safety standards in the industry and left fans mourning the loss of a performer whose best years still lay ahead. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On April 19, 2017, Aaron Hernandez — the former NFL star tight end for the New England Patriots whose meteoric rise was eclipsed by a shocking murder conviction and subsequent prison sentence — was found dead in his prison cell at the age of 27. Once a standout athlete at the University of Florida and a Super Bowl–appearing Pro Bowler, Hernandez’s career and life unraveled after his arrest and conviction for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. His fall from grace, punctuated by a highly publicized trial and posthumous revelations of brain trauma and personal struggles, made Hernandez one of the most infamous cautionary tales in modern sports history. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 16, 2025, Robert Redford — the decorated actor, accomplished director, founder of the Sundance Film Festival, and one of Hollywood's leading lights for decades — passed away at the age of 89. In a career that stretched across six decades, Redford transformed from matinee idol in films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, to the Oscar-winning director of Ordinary People, and finally into the patron saint of independent cinema through Sundance. With his golden-boy looks, uncompromising artistic vision, and lifelong commitment to activism, Redford shaped American film both inside and outside the Hollywood system, leaving behind a legacy that bridged stardom, storytelling, and social responsibility. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On August 9, 1995, Jerry Garcia — the guitarist, singer, and spiritual leader of the Grateful Dead — died of a heart attack at the age of 53 in a California rehab facility. In a career that spanned three decades, Garcia became one of the most iconic figures of the counterculture, guiding the Dead from the psychedelic streets of Haight-Ashbury to stadiums packed with devoted Deadheads. With his warm voice, improvisational guitar work, and unassuming presence, Garcia helped define the sound of an era while creating a community that stretched far beyond music. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk — the American conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA — was tragically shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University at the age of 31. Known for his polarizing debates and staunch support of conservative values, Kirk gained national recognition for his efforts to engage young people in political discourse, while also serving as a prominent ally to former President Donald Trump. Hosts: Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On July 6, 2019, Cameron Boyce — the American actor and dancer best known for his work in Disney Channel’s Jessie and the Descendants franchise — died from complications of epilepsy at the age of 20 in Los Angeles. In a career that began when he was just a child, Boyce quickly emerged as one of Disney’s brightest young stars, captivating audiences with his natural charisma, comedic timing, and infectious energy on screen. Beyond his roles in film and television, he was also a passionate advocate for social causes, using his platform to raise awareness about issues ranging from clean water access to gun violence prevention. Though his life was tragically cut short, Boyce’s legacy continues through his performances and the charitable foundation created in his honor, inspiring fans and peers alike to carry forward his spirit of creativity and compassion. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On August 19, 2012, Tony Scott — the British filmmaker best known for high-octane blockbusters like Top Gun, Crimson Tide, and Man on Fire — died by suicide at the age of 68 in Los Angeles. In a career that stretched across three decades, Scott carved out a unique place in Hollywood as a master of adrenaline-fueled spectacle. With his signature visual style — kinetic camerawork, bold color palettes, and an editing pace that matched the heartbeat of his action sequences — he helped redefine what a mainstream action movie could feel like. From working with stars like Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington to pushing the technical limits of action cinema, Scott’s influence continues to ripple through blockbuster filmmaking today. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On January 25, 2022, Michael Madsen — the gravel-voiced actor synonymous with tough-guy roles in Quentin Tarantino films — suffered a devastating personal tragedy when his son, Hudson, died by suicide in Hawaii. Madsen, whose own career has spanned more than four decades, has long been a fixture of Hollywood’s gritty underbelly, with iconic turns in Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Donnie Brasco. Known for his menacing screen presence, poetic writings, and troubled off-screen life, Madsen has become both a cult figure and a cautionary tale in the entertainment industry. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On February 7, 2000, Christopher Rios — the larger-than-life rapper better known as Big Pun — died at the age of 28 from heart failure in White Plains, New York. In a career that barely spanned half a decade, the Bronx-born rapper rewrote the rules for Latin artists in hip hop. With rhymes that were dense, intricate, and delivered with a ferocity that belied his massive physical presence, Pun became the first solo Latino rapper to go platinum, and his debut album Capital Punishment remains a watershed moment in East Coast rap history. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix — the guitar virtuoso who redefined rock music with his explosive sound, groundbreaking techniques, and electric charisma — died suddenly in London at the age of 27. In just a few short years, he transformed the possibilities of the instrument, fusing blues, rock, and psychedelia into immortal performances like “Purple Haze,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” and his legendary rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock. With albums like Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland, Hendrix not only revolutionized how the guitar could be played, but how music itself could be imagined — his influence still echoing through generations of artists and fans. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On August 6, 2009, John Hughes — the filmmaker whose heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human stories captured the soul of American adolescence — died suddenly of a heart attack while taking a morning walk in Manhattan at the age of 59. With classics like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Planes, Trains & Automobiles, he turned teen angst and suburban life into timeless art. As a writer and producer, he shaped pop culture with hits like Pretty in Pink and Home Alone, leaving behind stories filled with sincerity, wit, and the kind of truth that still resonates decades later. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices