Famous and Gravy

This person died in 2011, age 58. His colleagues said he had charisma and a knack for spontaneity. In the mid-1970s, he played minor-league baseball for about four years in the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds organizations. He acted in the 2002 movie “Spider-Man,” appeared on sitcoms like “Mad About You,” and lent his scratchy baritone to video games and cartoons, including “Family Guy” and “King of the Hill.” He would wear brightly colored cowboy hats and outfits dripping with fringe. He would strut into the wrestling ring to his theme song “Pomp and Circumstance,” muscles gleaming and neon spandex shining, growling his signature expression, “Oooh, yeah!” before diving at his opponents, elbows first. Today’s dead celebrity is Randy Savage.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 092 Acerbic Comedian (George Carlin), Episode 100 Divine Neighbor (Fred Rogers), and Episode 049 Hammer Time (Hank Aaron).Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Evan Sharer, and features guest co-host Steve Prata.LINKS:Transcript of this episodeJon Finkel’s biography of Randy SavageRandy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat, WrestleMania III Macho Man Slim Jim commercials compilationDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2023, age 79. He earned a law degree from Northwestern University in 1968 and started on a political career. In the 1980s he won or shared multiple Emmy Awards for local news coverage. In 1974 he was embroiled in a personal scandal after he was found to have written a check for prostitution services at a Kentucky massage parlor. He was elected mayor of Cincinnati in 1977, and in 1982 he ran for governor of Ohio. His syndicated daytime talk show began in 1991. Today’s dead celebrity is Jerry Springer.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 91 Studio Insider (James Lipton) and Episode1 Unapologetic Opulence (Robin Leach). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Michelle Dahlenberg.LINKS:Transcript of this episodeJerry Springer’s 25th Anniversary Final ThoughtJerry Springer’s story on This American LifeBest of Jerry Springer Compilation 1Dr. Evil and Scott go on Jerry Springer in Austin Powers 2Dead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died in 2018, age 75. She had a self-effacing personality, which colleagues and interviewers often commented on. She was the first woman to direct a feature film that grossed more than $100 million. She also directed “Awakenings” (1990), a medical drama starring Robert De Niro. She got into directing the ‘easy’ way — by becoming a television superstar first. In 1971 she married Rob Reiner, who was then a star of the hit TV series “All in the Family.” She played Laverne on Laverne and Shirley. Today’s dead celebrity is Penny Marshall.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 68 Sentient Princess (Carrie Fisher) and Episode 80 Super Funkhouser (Bob Einstein).Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Michelle Dahlenberg.LINKS:Transcript of this episodePenny in conversation on stage with brother Garry MarshallPenny on The Rosie O’Donnell Show in 1999Fred Armisen Penny Marshall impersonationDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2014 age 86. In high school he played football and basketball. In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, he was drafted. An understated comic actor, he was especially adept at conveying life’s tiny bedevilments. He was a genuine star but as an actor something of a paradox: a lantern-jawed, brawny athlete whose physical appeal was both enhanced and undercut by a disarming wit. He came to acting late, and by accident. He was best known as the amiable gambler Bret Maverick in the 1950s western “Maverick.” Today’s dead celebrity is James Garner.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 84 Vocal Bedrock (Johnny Cash) and Episode 62 Lord of Horror (Christopher Lee).Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Michael Warburton.LINKS:Transcript of this episodeJames Garner on Charlie RoseGarner on why he quit Maverick and Rockford filesJames Garner interviewed by Tom Snyder on the Late Late ShowDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2021, age 87. As a teenager, she typed out chapters from Hemingway novels to see how they worked. Her attraction to trouble spots, disintegrating personalities and incipient chaos came naturally. She came to prominence with a series of incisive, searching feature articles in Life magazine and The Saturday Evening Post that explored the fraying edges of postwar American life. In two early groundbreaking essay collections, she turned her cool, apprehensive gaze on the hippies of Haight-Ashbury, on eccentrics and searchers like Howard Hughes, on the film industry in the post-studio era, and on the death-tinged music of the Doors. Today’s dead celebrity is Joan Didion.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 96 Ranch Dresser (Paul Newman) and Episode 52 Electric Vanities (Tom Wolfe).Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Alice Florence Orr.LINKS:Transcript of this episodePodcast Review websiteJoan Didion 1992 InterviewJoan Didion 1971 InterviewDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2018, age 76. She had a child two months before her 13th birthday. She started teaching herself to play the piano before she was 10, picking up songs from the radio.In 1969, she dropped her husband as manager and eventually filed restraining orders against him. She also went through a period of heavy drinking before getting sober in the 1970s. Rolling Stone magazine put her at the top of its 2010 greatest singers of all time. Her music defined a modern female archetype: sensual and strong, long-suffering but ultimately indomitable, loving but not to be taken for granted. Today’s dead celebrity is Aretha Franklin.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 90 Big Adventurer (Paul Reubens aka Pee-wee Herman) and Episode 31 The Greatest (Muhammad Ali)Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Matt Anderson.LINKS:Transcript of this episodeAretha Franklin, great gownsAretha Franklin Snickers commercialAretha Franklin stands in for PavarottiAretha Franklin Obama Inauguration Matt Anderson on LinkedInImagination Factory, Matt Anderson’s organizationDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2003 age 74.He was an ordained Presbyterian minister. He once volunteered at a state prison in Pittsburgh and helped set up a playroom for children visiting their parents. Eddie Murphy parodied him on "Saturday Night Live." One of his sweaters hangs in the Smithsonian Institution. He composed his own songs for his show and began each episode in a set made to look like a comfortable living room, singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” Today’s dead celebrity is Fred Rogers.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like 90 Big Adventurer (Paul Reubens aka Pee-wee Herman) and Episode 40 Eve’s Dropper (Dick Clark).Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Jennifer Keishin Armstrong.LINKS:Transcript of this episodeFred Rogers 1969 testimony before CongressFred Rogers 1997 Lifetime Achievement award at the EmmysFred Rogers talks about meeting Eddie Murphy on David LettermanSCTV Battle of the PBS Stars: Julia Child vs. Fred Rogers Ministry of Pop Culture SubstackDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died in 2006, age 44. He was an ebullient staple of American talk shows. His American-born wife was his business partner and on-screen co-star. His fame engendered books, action figures and interactive games. For a time, tube-watching pub crawlers played a drinking game, hoisting a glass every time he said, “Crikey!” or, “Isn’t she a beauty?” His television show,  “The Crocodile Hunter,” was seen in more than 100 countries on cable television. Today’s dead celebrity is Steve Irwin.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 67 Golden Rose (Betty White) and Episode 17 Modest Moonwalker (Neil Armstrong). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host John Watts. LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Steve IrwinSouth Park impersonation of Steve IrwinSteve Irwin tackles Florida Gator mascot on ESPNCompilation of Steve Irwin being attacked by wildlifeDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2004, age 91. Her father was a wealthy farm consultant and investor; her mother was a housewife with a cook and maid. She attended Smith College, and she had some vague idea of being a novelist or a basketball star. After World War II broke out, she signed up for intelligence work with the Office of Strategic Services, hoping to become a spy. A self-confessed ham, she became a darling of audiences and comedians almost from the moment she made her debut on WGBH in Boston in 1963. She was a towering figure on the culinary front for more than 40 years. Most Americans knew her as the imperturbable host of the long-running PBS television series "The French Chef." Today’s dead celebrity is Julia Child. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 81 Dimpled Ambassador (Shirley Temple) and Episode 20 Notorious Dissenter (Ruth Bader Ginsburg). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Michelle Dahlenburg. LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Julia ChildDan Aykroyd impersonation of Julia Child on SNLJulia Child, chaos muppetCassoulet recipe from Mastering the Art of French CookingDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2007 age 84. He studied for a master’s degree in anthropology at the University of Chicago, writing a thesis on “The Fluctuations Between Good and Evil in Simple Tales.” Like Mark Twain, he used humor to tackle the basic questions of human existence. With a blend of science fiction, philosophy and jokes, he wrote about the banalities of consumer culture, and the destruction of the environment. With his curly hair askew, deep pouches under his eyes and rumpled clothes, he often looked like an out-of-work philosophy professor. The defining moment of his life was the firebombing of Dresden, Germany, by Allied forces in 1945, an event he witnessed firsthand as a young prisoner of war. His experience in Dresden was the basis of his book “Slaughterhouse-Five.” Today’s dead celebrity is Kurt Vonnegut.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 92 Acerbic Comedian (George Carlin) and Episode 80 Super Funkhouser (Bob Einstein). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Wiley Hodges. LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Kurt VonnegutKurt Vonnegut’s Shape of Stories lectureVonnegut in Back To School with Rodney Dangerfield1975 Profile of VonnegutDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.