This person died in 2016, age 89. Her father was a prominent lawyer with a lofty sense of civic duty. At one point, she transferred to the University of Alabama to study law and go into the family business. In 1949 she moved to New York City, working as a reservations agent for Eastern Airlines and later BOAC. At night, she wrote at a desk made from a door. She won a Pulitzer Prize in 1960, but her public appearances were so rare that each counted as important news. Today’s dead celebrity is Harper Lee.If you liked this episode, you might also like Episode 117 Resonant Dignity (Gregory Peck), 102 Magical Thinker (Joan Didion), or Episode 097 Time Pilgrim (Kurt Vonnegut). LINKSTranscript of this episodeHarper Lee rare interview To Kill a Mockingbird 1964Gregory Peck Harper Lee Atticus Finch Oscar speechObama farewell speech Atticus Finch quoteTruman Capote Harper Lee In Cold Blood Kansas interviewsDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteHarper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Monroeville Alabama, Truman Capote, Atticus Finch, Go Set a Watchman, Pulitzer Prize, southern literature, Scout Finch, American novel. Harper Lee’s story combines small-town roots and big-city ambition, friendship and rivalry, and the lasting cultural debates around justice, empathy, and the power of a single book.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Reality Distortion (Steve Jobs)
This person died 2011, age of 56. He dropped out of Reed College in 1972 and once said that taking LSD was among the most important things he ever did. In the early years of his career, his obsession with detail drove colleagues crazy, but later he inspired extraordinary loyalty. In the 1990s he bought a small computer graphics spinoff from George Lucas and built it into Pixar. He told the world he would step down as Apple’s CEO if he could no longer meet expectations — and then he did. Today’s dead celebrity is Steve Jobs.If you liked this episode, you might also like Episode 98 Pleasure Activists (Julia Child) or Episode 42 Game Changer (John Madden).LINKSTranscript of this episodeSteve Jobs Stanford commencement 2005 full speechiPhone launch 2007 keynoteSteve Jobs Pixar Toy Story interview 1995 on Charlie RoseSteve Jobs Noah Wyle Macworld 1999 impersonationSteve Jobs Simpsons parody Steve Mobbs MyPods and BoomsticksDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSteve Jobs was an entrepreneur who transformed Apple and Pixar into global icons, creating the iPhone and reshaping Silicon Valley with his visionary leadership. Known for his reality distortion field, his partnership with Steve Wozniak, and his relentless drive for innovationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Crazy Sane (Waylon Jennings)
This person died in 2002 at the age of 64, Born in Littlefield, Texas, he became a radio disc jockey at 14 and formed his own band soon afterward. His resonant, authoritative voice was used to narrate The Dukes of Hazzard. Early in his career, his life nearly ended when he gave up his seat on the plane that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. With Willie Nelson, he performed duets like Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys and Good Hearted Woman. Today’s dead celebrity is Waylon Jennings.If you liked this episode, you might also like Episode 31 The Greatest (Muhammad Ali), Episode 84 Vocal Bedrock (Johnny Cash), and Episode 19 Singing Mailman (John Prine).LINKSTranscript of this episodeNYT Obituary for Waylon JenningsWaylon talks about the death of Buddy HollyIn depth interview with Waylon Jennings about his autobiographyBadass stories about WaylonWaylon and Big BirdDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteThis edition of Famous & Gravy takes up the story of Waylon Jennings, focusing on impact and afterimage as part of a what makes a life worth remembering and known for legacy podcast, with attention to narrative framing, persona shifts, and media influence. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This show explores life lessons from celebrities and contributes to obituary-based storytelling.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Hungry Ghost (Anthony Bourdain)
This person died in 2018, age 61. He never stopped marveling at the unlikeliness of his own success. Quote: “I should have died in my twenties. I became successful in my forties. I became my dad in my fifties. I feel like I’ve stolen a car, a really nice car, and I keep looking in the rearview mirror for flashing lights.” He emerged as a leading male voice in support of the Me Too movement. He was open about his past addictions to heroin and cocaine. He ate noodles in Hanoi with President Barack Obama, sucked on soft-boiled turtle eggs in Colombia, and savored handmade spring rolls in Cambodia on his way to an interview with the opposition government. Today’s dead celebrity is Anthony Bourdain.If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like Episode 79 Likable Villain (Alan Rickman), Episode 108 Hunter S. Thompson (Gonzo Troubadour) and Episode 102 Joan Didion (Magical Thinker).LINKSTranscript of this episodeNYT Obituary for Anthony BourdainAnthony Bourdain eats noodles with President Obama in Hanoi (Parts Unknown)Anthony Bourdain on West Virginia and empathy (Parts Unknown)Anthony Bourdain on Palestine (Parts Unknown)Anthony Bourdain’s original Kitchen Confidential essay – New YorkerBourdain on WTF with Marc MaronDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteIn reflecting on the life of Anthony Bourdain, this episode of Famous & Gravy examines how fame and mortality intersect as part of a celebrity obituary podcast and known for rethinking celebrity legacies, highlighting moral posture, iconic status, and career longevity. This episode invites contemplation about the emotional architecture of legacy. This show explores legacy podcast and contributes to smart pop culture podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Frizzy Fitness (Richard Simmons)
This person died 2024, age 76. His TV show went into national syndication in 1980 and ran until 1984, after which he developed an array of products and performances to replace it. He described himself as a loner with few friends, whose main companions were pet dalmatians and live-in maids. Even people who encountered him by chance said he was exactly as he appeared on TV: hyperkinetic, authentic, and totally outrageous. People Magazine once called him “a hyperkinetic elf in an emerald green tracksuit and the clown prince of fitness.” Today’s dead celebrity is Richard Simmons.If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like Episode 65 Steve Irwin (Crikey Inner Child) and Episode 7 Joan Rivers (Stilletto Comic).LINKSTranscript of this episodeNYT Obituary for Richard SimmonsMissing Richard Simmons podcast by Dan Taberski Richard Simmons on Who’s Line is it Anyway?Hot mic moment, behind the scenes with Richard SimmonsRichard Simmons on Letterman (1986–2000s, multiple clips)Richard Simmons on General HospitalDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteIn reflecting on the life of Richard Simmons, this episode of Famous & Gravy examines how fame and mortality intersect as part of a legacy podcast and known for what makes a life worth remembering, through themes of resilience, fame, and cultural afterlife. This episode offers a layered look at how we remember — and reinterpret — famous lives. This celebrity podcast explores life lessons from celebrities and contributes to famous lives reframed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We explore the lives of notable people who’ve just died—celebrities, icons, cultural figures—and asks what their stories can teach us about ourselves. It’s part obituary podcast, part biography, and part existential detective work.Think you know everything about some of modern history’s most recognizable figures? We’re Amit and Michael, two pop culture enthusiasts who upend your assumptions about the iconic and the famous. Because that’s where you find the “gravy” – the rich, flavorful sauce that brings out the best parts of the dish that is life.Each episode we’ll put the lives of recently deceased celebrities under the microscope to consider the not-so-obvious ways these icons of culture left their impact and imprint on modern history. It’s a hilarious and fresh perspective on the celebrities you thought you knew.Listen to episodes of Famous & Gravy early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/famous-and-gravy/ now.
Ireland