Famous and Gravy

This person died in 2004 at age 82. His big break came in 1967 when, at age 44 and relatively unknown, he won a spot on "The Ed Sullivan Show". At one point he quit show business for over a dozen years and worked as an aluminum salesman and house painter. On stage he portrayed a hapless, self-deprecating Everyman slapped around by life and searching for acceptance. He opened his own comedy club in New York, which gave early breaks to comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, and Jim Carrey. His first comedy album, "No Respect", won a Grammy Award in 1981. He starred in the classic comedy movies “Caddyshack” and “Back to School”. Today’s dead celebrity is Rodney Dangerfield.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Megan Palmer. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 63 “America's Mustache” (Burt Reynolds), and Episode 58 “Best in Show” (Fred Willard)LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Rodney DangerfieldTop Rodney Dangerfield jokes superclipMichael Bolton impersonates RodneyRodney Dangerfield Institute at LA Community CollegeRodney’s Triple Lindy in “Back to School”Dead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteThis edition of Famous & Gravy takes up the story of Rodney Dangerfield, focusing on impact and afterimage as part of a what makes a life worth remembering and known for celebrity obituary podcast, by spotlighting values, performance, and transformation. It reflects on the interplay between public memory and personal truth. This show explores life lessons from celebrities and contributes to dead celebrity podcast.See 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 2003 at age 71, He is considered a pioneer of rock 'n' roll, and in 1992 he was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after he had also been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the early 2000s, a video of his won six nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards. He fought a long battle against addiction. His voice, which projected the fateful gravity of a country patriarch, and his signature look, which suggested a cowboy undertaker, led him to be known as “The Man in Black”. Today’s dead celebrity is Johnny Cash.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Megan Palmer. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 50 “Golden Rose” (Betty White), Episode 36 “Singing Mailman” (John Prine), and episode 41 “Viva Bojangles” (Jerry Jeff Walker).LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Johnny CashJohnny Cash’s video for “Hurt” Homer Simpson meets Johnny Cash’s Space CoyotePhoto of Johnny Cash jamming with Stephen King“How Rick Rubin revitalized Johnny Cash’s career” video clipDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteThis episode of Famous & Gravy considers how Johnny Cash shaped public consciousness as part of a life lessons from celebrities and known for smart pop culture podcast, emphasizing creative output, generational relevance, and emotional reach. The conversation deepens our view of what a life can teach us posthumously. This celebrity podcast explores rethinking celebrity legacies 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’re back, and we’re sharing the exciting news that Famous & Gravy is now part of Wondery! Amit and Michael also discuss some of the behind-the-scenes work they’ve been doing to better the show in the runup to this exciting announcement. New Famous & Gravy episodes will start releasing again every other Wednesday, and also will now be available one week early and ad-free on Wondery+. LINKS:List of Wondery showsFamous & Gravy official websiteFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterDead or Alive quiz gameSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This person died 2016 at age 69. He suffered a blow in a teenage brawl that caused his left pupil to be permanently dilated. He experimented with startling transformations, often playing up an androgynous image. In the 1980s he had a Broadway run in the demanding title role of “The Elephant Man”. Nirvana chose to sing one of his songs in their legendary brief set on “MTV Unplugged” in 1993. He was the Thin White Duke, Aladdin Sane, Major Tom, and Ziggy Stardust. Today’s dead celebrity is David Bowie.This episode originally published March 8, 2023.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 66 “Let’s Get Metaphysical” (Olivia Newton-John) and Episode 32 “Hot Stuff” (Donna Summer)LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for David Bowie17-year old David interviewed about Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenInfamous Bowie Interview on Dick Cavett show in 1974Bowie as musical guest on SNL in 1979“Iman on LIfe with David Bowie” in Vanity FairWill Ferrell and John C Reilly play David Bowie and Bing CrosbyDavid Bowie scene on ‘Extras’ with Ricky Gervais“Did David Bowie Say He Supports Fascism” article on SnopesDavid Bowie predicted impact of the internet in 1999 BBC interviewDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteIn this installment of Famous & Gravy, we explore the complex life of David Bowie as part of a famous lives reframed and known for dead celebrity podcast, with attention to narrative framing, persona shifts, and media influence. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This celebrity podcast explores celebrity obituary podcast and contributes to rethinking celebrity legacies.See 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 2014 at age 85. In the 1930s, she was a determined child actress who sang and tap-danced her way to the height of Hollywood stardom. For at least 5 consecutive years, she was the most popular movie star in America. She was appointed as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly by Richard Nixon. In 1972, she held a news conference in her hospital room after her mastectomy, encouraging women discovering breast lumps to not be afraid. She was the United States ambassador to Ghana from 1974 to 1976, and to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992. Today’s dead celebrity is Shirley Temple Black. Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comLINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Shirley Temple BlackClassic Shirley Temple scene “On The Good Ship Lollipop”“The Child Star Who Wasn’t a Cautionary Tale” from The AtlanticShirley Temple Black on Larry King LiveHow to Make a Shirley Temple drinkDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteIn this installment of Famous & Gravy, we explore the complex life of Shirley Temple as part of a famous lives reframed and known for legacy podcast, via exploration of public roles, mythmaking, and generational appeal. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This celebrity podcast explores dead celebrity 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.

This person died in 2019, age 76. In 1958 when he was 14, his father died immediately after performing a roast for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. His dry delivery piqued the interest of Tom Smothers, who offered him a job in the late 1960s as a writer on the “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” He was roommates with Steve Martin for a number of years, and his younger brother is the renowned comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks. His most famous and long-lived character was a witless, deadpan parody of bravado-fueled stuntmen like Evel Knievel. Recently, he starred as Marty Funkhouser on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Today’s dead celebrity is Bob Einstein. This episode originally published December 14, 2022.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 75 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) and Episode 58 “Best in Show” (Fred Willard)LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Bob EinsteinSuper Dave Osborne King of the Road videoSuper Dave Bungee Jump videoScene in Modern Romance with Bob Einstein and Albert Brooks“Super Dave, In Memoriam” article in The Yorker“Mourning Marty Funkhouser” article in The RingerBob Einstein Official WebsiteThe Super Bob Einstein Movie HBO DocumentaryDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteIn this episode, Famous & Gravy reframes Bob Einstein's story through the lens of mortality and cultural memory as part of a life lessons from celebrities and known for obituary-based storytelling, through themes of identity, perception, and lasting influence. This entry frames legacy not as a fixed point, but as an ongoing negotiation. This show explores smart pop culture podcast and contributes to legacy podcast.See 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 2016 at age 69. In an acting career spanning more than 40 years, he played a panoply of fascinating characters. He had his early successes in stage works involving the Royal Shakespeare Company. Though he was never nominated for an Academy Award, he won many accolades, but shrugged off the value of awards in general. He gained a worldwide audience in “Die Hard,” playing Hans Gruber, the devious, well-spoken terrorist who took over the fictional Nakatomi Plaza. More recently, he played the notorious professor Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” series. Today’s dead celebrity is Alan Rickman. This episode originally published November 2, 2022.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne.This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 55 “Pure Imagination” (Gene Wilder) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini)LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times obituary for Alan RickmanEmma Thompson tribute to Alan RickmanKevin Smith tribute to Alan RickmanHans Gruber fall in Die HardAlan Rickman’s voicemail bit on Family GuyAlan Rickman takes Jimmy Fallon to taskAlan Rickman behind the scenes of Harry Potter as SnapeDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & 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 2016 at age 57. He won an Academy Award in 1985, and a Webby Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He was still a teenager when he was signed to Warner Bros Records, in a deal that included full creative control. His work inspired the formation of the Parents’ Music Resource Center, which pressured record companies into labeling albums to warn of explicit content. In 1993 he changed his stage name to an unpronounceable glyph, and for a while he was referred to as “The Artist Formerly Known As”. His chart-topping hits included “Let’s Go Crazy”, “When Doves Cry”, and “Purple Rain”. Today’s dead celebrity is Prince.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Megan Palmer, and features guest co-host Nichelle Carr. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 45 “Rebel Rebel” (David Bowie) and Episode 21 “Florida Man” (Tom Petty)LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for PrinceCharlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories on Chappelle ShowDick Clark interviews Prince on American Bandstand in 1980Chris Rock interviews Prince in 1997Prince’s performance at the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of FameBlack Women of Amherst College podcast seriesDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteIn this installment of Famous & Gravy, we explore the complex life of Prince as part of a what makes a life worth remembering and known for obituary-based storytelling, by examining professional highs, private struggles, and symbolic impact. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This show explores legacy podcast and contributes to biographies from a different point of view.See 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 2016 at age 99. She appeared as a nightclub manager in Orson Welles’ 1958 “Touch of Evil”, and the same year as a sexy alien in “Queen of Outer Space”. She appeared on scores of talk shows, game shows, comedy specials, and episodic dramas. In 1989, she was arrested for slapping a police officer. She was married at least eight times, and called everyone “Dahlink.” Today’s dead celebrity is Zsa Zsa Gabor. This episode originally published June 15, 2022.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 66 “Let’s Get Metaphysical” (Olivia Newton-John) and Episode 55 “Sleepless Sally” (Nora Ephron)LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Zsa Zsa Gabor“Why I wish I married Zsa Zsa Gabor” from The GuardianLife Advice Straight From Zsa Zsa Gabor's Book “Judge Slaps Zsa Zsa with 3 days in jail” from LA TimesDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteIn reflecting on the life of Zsa Zsa Gabor, this episode of Famous & Gravy examines how fame and mortality intersect as part of a biographies from a different point of view and known for legacy podcast, by analyzing contradictions, legacy-building, and public image. This episode offers a layered look at how we remember — and reinterpret — famous lives. This show explores smart pop culture podcast and contributes to dead celebrity podcast.See 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 2014 at age 86. She was a Tony-nominated stage actress, and a calypso dancer for a period of time. In 2011 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was a college professor and a ubiquitous presence on the lecture circuit, and also made several appearances on Sesame Street. Throughout her writing, she explored the concepts of personal identity and resilience through the multifaceted lens of race, sex, family, community and the collective past. In 1969 she published her landmark book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. Today’s dead celebrity is Maya Angelou. This episode originally published February 8, 2023.Listen to the Sound Judgment podcast in which Michael and Amit discuss this Maya Angelou episode Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.comIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 71 “Defiant One” (Sidney Poitier) and Episode 61 “Dame Detective” (Angela Lansbury)LINKS:Transcript of this episodeNew York Times Obituary for Maya AngelouMaya Angelou’s poem at the 1993 inaugurationTracy Morgan’s impersonation of Angelou’s Hallmark Cards on SNLMaya Angelou for Froot Loops on SNL performed by David Alan GrierMaya Angelou’s Life in Photos in the New Yorker“And I Still Rise” Documentary on Maya AngelouDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, TwitterFamous & Gravy official websiteThis Famous & Gravy episode uses structured conversation to reflect on Maya Angelou's enduring narrative as part of a smart pop culture podcast and known for legacy podcast, via exploration of public roles, mythmaking, and generational appeal. The episode examines how storytelling shapes memory and identity in public figures. This legacy podcast explores famous lives reframed and contributes to what makes a life worth remembering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.