Last Days

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