On August 10, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein - one of the most notorious criminals in recent American history - was found dead of what was initially reported to be suicide by hanging. But over the next several weeks fissures emerged in the official story of Epstein's death with the revelation that prison guards and officials engaged in a cover-up to conceal what really happened the night Epstein died. And the most complicating factor of all... Epstein's death meant the world would never learn what he...

In late December 2016, one of the brightest starts from Hollywood's Golden Age Debbie Reynolds and her multi-talented daughter and Star Wars legend Carrie Fisher passed away within 24 hours of each other. Their lives and careers charted very different courses in entertainment, but the personal hardships and difficult battles never broke their enduring and loving bond. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Michael - the Wham! frontman turned legendary solo performer - died on Christmas day, 2016, from heart failure brought on by years of substance abuse. Michael's life was derailed by his 1998 arrest for a lewd act, which made him the butt of jokes and subjected the famously-private star to unwanted media scrutiny. But in death he finally found the rehabilitation he searched for so desperately in life, and with it a renewed appreciation for his art and the legacy he left behind. Hosts:...

As we celebrate the New Year, Derek and Jason take the opportunity to reflect on some of the most memorable celebrities we didn't have a chance to cover on the podcast, focusing on their extraordinary lives and legacies. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2023 comes to a close, Derek and Jason take a look back at the most famous and influential celebrities we lost this year, and explore what made their lives and careers so memorable, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On August 9, 2008, Bernie Mac -- star of countless movies and one of The Original Kings of Comedy -- died in a Chicago hospital after a lengthy battle with a rare lung disease. Although he only found mainstream success later in life, Mac left an indelible mark on the comedy world with his brash style that blended his often shockingly provocative takes with genuine paternal warmth. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special Update: Matthew Perry's Cause of Death - The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has released the autopsy report revealing Matthew Perry's official cause of death, providing answers to the questions surrounding his sudden and tragic passing. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 12, 2023, Lisa Marie Presley - the daughter and later the wife of, respectively, perhaps the two most famous entertainers of the 20th century - died from complications of a small bowel obstruction tied to weight loss surgery she'd undergone years before. Lisa Marie was a singer and a performer, a devoted mother, and the candle-bearer for her father's legacy, but she ultimately succumbed to the addiction, tragedy, and loss that had so defined her life. Hosts: Jason Beckerman &...

On December 5, 2023, Norman Lear -- the man responsible for revolutionizing television in the 70s with a string of hit sitcoms, including All in the Family and Good Times -- passed away in his Los Angeles home at the age of 101. Already a television legend by his mid-50s, Lear could have spent the remainder of his incredible life basking in the glow of his accomplishments, but instead continued to champion the progressive political and social causes until his final days. Learn more about your...

On March 4, 2019, Luke Perry died from a stroke at a Los Angeles hospital. Though Perry enjoyed a remarkable career renaissance near the end of his life, he will always be remembered for his portrayal of brooding heartthrob Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210 - the breakout star from the iconic show that changed television forever. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 10, 1992, Sam Kinison -- who turned screaming rants in small comedy clubs into a burgeoning career in Hollywood -- died after drunk driver crashed into his car on a California highway. Although remembered for his indulgent lifestyle, Kinison's tragic death at the age of just 38 had nothing to do with his vices and cut short one of the most unique careers in entertainment history. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On September 14, 2021, Norm Macdonald -- the legendary SNL alum and one of the greatest stand-up comedians of his generation -- passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer that he had waged privately for many years. His death shocked even some of his closest friends in the comedy world, but his fearless and wholly unique voice left behind a legacy that won't soon be forgotten. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, Steve Jobs helped to shape the modern world as much as any person in history. Hosts: Jason Beckerman...

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 legacy of conservationism and infectious enthusiasm for wildlife. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason...

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 & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

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 recent allegations about his time on Ellen push him over the edge? Or did tWitch's internal...

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 soon be forgotten. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices....

On April 1, 1984, Marvin Gaye -- Motown legend and perhaps the most gifted R&B singer in music history -- was shot and killed by his own father after an argument in his Los Angeles home. Although his tragic death cut short a late-career resurgence, his smooth vocals and socially conscious lyrics continue to resonate with fans to this day. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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...

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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...

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 megaphone.fm/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...