
Famous and Gravy
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 9, 2022 • 58min
Emblem of Dignity (Nelson Mandela)
This person died in 2013 at age 95. His given name translates colloquially as “troublemaker.” The question most often asked about him was how, after all he’d been through, he could be so evidently free of spite. In 1956, he was arrested on charges of treason. He was a symbol of the opposition to apartheid in South Africa. Today’s dead celebrity is Nelson Mandela. 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 Nelson MandelaDead 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.

Mar 2, 2022 • 58min
Stiletto Comic (Joan Rivers)
This person died in 2014 at age 81. In her twenties, she worked in the publicity department at Lord and Taylor, and was a fashion coordinator for the Bond Clothing Store. She joined the Chicago-based Second City comedy troupe in the 1960s. She was one of America’s first successful female stand-up comics in a tradition that had been almost exclusively male. In 2010 she became a star of the E! show “Fashion Police.” She was described as vivacious, even as a nipped and tucked octogenarian. Today’s dead celebrity is Joan Rivers. 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 Joan RiversDead 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.

Feb 23, 2022 • 48min
Countdown King (Casey Kasem)
This person died in 2014 at age 82. He once said his technique of using biographical teasers to introduce songs drew upon the Arabic tradition of storytelling that he witnessed as a child of Lebanese immigrants. His biggest role off the radio was in the TV cartoon series “Scooby-Doo” as the voice of Shaggy. He retired in 2004, handing over host duties of American Top 40 to Ryan Seacrest. Today’s dead celebrity is Casey Kasem.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 Casey KasemDead 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.

Feb 16, 2022 • 54min
Fan Favorite (Kenny Rogers)
This person died in 2020 at age 81. His career as a solo artist did not gain traction until he was 38 years old. He sang in a husky voice that exuded sincerity and warmth, and duet recordings were a prominent part of his repertoire. Long before the ascendancy of Garth Brooks and Shania Twain, he was among the first country artists to sell out arenas. He won a Grammy for his signature song and worldwide favorite, “The Gambler”. Today’s dead celebrity is Kenny Rogers.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 Kenny RogersDead 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.

Feb 9, 2022 • 60min
Counterculture Sex Symbol (Peter Fonda)
This person died in 2019 at age 79. He inspired John Lennon to write the line “I know what it’s like to be dead,” which appeared in the Beatles’ song “She Said She Said.” In the 1970s and 80s, his career cooled, while that of his sister flourished. He earned a best original screenplay nomination for “Easy Rider,” the iconic movie in which he also starred. Today’s dead celebrity is Peter Fonda.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 Peter FondaFamous & Gravy official websiteDead 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.

Feb 2, 2022 • 53min
Wiry Gadfly (Ross Perot)
This person died in 2019 at age 89. He had a squeaky, country-boy twang and ears that stuck out like on a Mad Magazine cover. He made a fortune in computer services. In 1979 he staged a commando raid that freed two of his employees from captivity in revolutionary Iran. He ran for president of the USA as a 3rd party candidate in 1992 and 1996. Today’s dead celebrity is H Ross Perot.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 H Ross PerotDead 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.

Jan 26, 2022 • 49min
Baseball's Loveable Mainstay (Yogi Berra)
This person died in 2015 at age 90. He was known in part for his proverbs, which testified to a goofy and philosophical nature. He inspired a cartoon character. He appeared in a number of television advertisements including for Miller Lite and Yoo-Hoo chocolate drink. As a catcher for the New York Yankees, he played the most grueling position in baseball. He has won more World Series titles than any other player in Major League history, and even won three more as coach and manager. Today’s dead celebrity is Yogi Berra.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Morgan Honaker. 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 Yogi BerraDead 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.

Jan 19, 2022 • 46min
Dapper Brit (Roger Moore)
This person died in 2017 at age 89. Early on, he expressed interest in becoming a commercial artist, and as a teenager worked at an animation company. He had a cameo in “The Cannonball Run” run in 1981, the car race comedy starring Burt Reynolds. Though he was not American, he was well known to American audiences. He played James Bond in seven films, and was the oldest Bond ever hired for the official series. Today’s dead celebrity is Roger Moore.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Morgan Honaker. 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 Roger MooreDead 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.

Jan 12, 2022 • 45min
Ringside Gentleman (Mean Gene Okerlund)
This person died in 2019 at age 76. He was a mild-mannered figure, and often appeared on air in elegant attire. He got his nickname from the future governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura. His professionalism helped lend a certain gravitas to an enterprise that was hardly known for it. Today's dead celebrity is Gene Okerlund, better known as “Mean Gene.”Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Morgan Honaker. 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 Gene OkerlundDead 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.

Jan 5, 2022 • 50min
Sonorous Actor (Leonard Nimoy)
This person died in 2015 at age 83. His artistic pursuits included poetry, photography, and music, in addition to acting. In 1970 he released a country album. He wrote two autobiographies – the first published in 1975 was called, “I am not Spock”, and the second, published in 1995, was called “I am Spock”. Today's dead celebrity is Leonard Nimoy.Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Morgan Honaker. 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 Leonard NimoyLeonard Nimoy sings Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line”Dead 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.
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