Last Days

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 with our modern sensibilities or will it ultimately be discarded into the dustbin of history?Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 hardships.Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/adchoices

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 your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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