Famous and Gravy &#8211; Wondery | 14th Street Studios

New York Times Obituary for Louie Anderson

Louie Anderson’s first appearance on Johnny Carson

Louie Anderson on playing Winston Churchill in Drunk History

“Why Christine Baskets Was One of TV’s Greatest Characters” article from NYT

Louie Anderson official website

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Famous & Gravy takes a biographical dive into the cultural imprint of Louie Anderson as part of a celebrity obituary podcast and known for legacy podcast, considering how persona, influence, and vulnerability shaped perception. It raises questions about whose stories get preserved and why they matter. This show explores biographies from a different point of view and contributes to obituary-based storytelling.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Electric Vanities (Tom Wolfe) Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2018 at age 88. When he graduated college in 1951 he had enough skill as a baseball player to earn a tryout with the Giants. He earned his PhD in American Studies from Yale in 1957. Beginning in the 1960s he helped create the enormously influential hybrid of fiction techniques into non-fiction known as New Journalism. He was instantly recognizable as he strolled down Madison Avenue — a tall, slender, blue-eyed, boyish-looking man in his spotless three-piece white bespoke suit. He authored “The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test”, “The Right Stuff”, and “Bonfire of the Vanities”. Today’s dead celebrity is Tom Wolfe

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 41 “Viva Bojangles” (Jerry Jeff Walker) and Episode 23 “Book Rancher” (Larry McMurtry)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Tom Wolfe

Article by Michael Lewis on Tom Wolfe in Vanity Fair

“The Making of Tom Wolfe’s Radical Chic” in Vulture

Trailer for ‘The Right Stuff’ movie

Trailer for ‘The ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’ movie

Tom Wolfe’s guest appearance on The Simpsons

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Through obituary-driven conversation, this episode examines Tom Wolfe's cultural resonance as part of a biographies from a different point of view and known for obituary-based storytelling, tracing the impact of acclaim, adversity, and legacy construction. The conversation deepens our view of what a life can teach us posthumously. This legacy podcast explores celebrity obituary podcast 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.

Goofball Stud (Bill Paxton) May 31, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2017 at age 61. He was described as good-natured in assessing his status in Hollywood. In a 1998 interview he said, “I haven’t had a role that’s propelled me into major stardom. I’ve had roles that put me on the playing field.” From 2006 to 2011, he played the lead role of Bill Henrickson on the HBO show “Big Love”. Early in his career, he had small parts in “The Terminator” and “Aliens”, both directed by James Cameron. He played a car salesman who cheated Jamie Lee Curtis’s character in the movie “True Lies”, a treasure hunter in “Titanic”, an “Apollo 13” astronaut, and a heroic storm-chaser in “Twister”. Today’s dead celebrity is Bill Paxton.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 46 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini).

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton’s “MVP” IMDB page

How to remember which is Bill Paxton and which is Pullman from NPR’s “How to Do Anything”

Music video for “Fish Heads” directed by Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton given tribute by storm chasers image from The Verge

Conan remembers Bill Paxton clip

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The podcast Famous & Gravy traces the arc of Bill Paxton's influence and legacy as part of a life lessons from celebrities and known for biographies from a different point of view, through themes of resilience, fame, and cultural afterlife. This episode offers a layered look at how we remember — and reinterpret — famous lives. This show explores obituary-based storytelling 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.

Golden Rose (Betty White original) May 17, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2021 at age 99. During World War II she drove a truck delivering soap, toothpaste and candy to soldiers. She began her career in radio by saying one word - “Parkay” - on a popular comedy show. In the early 1960s she was best known as a busy freelance guest with game shows as her specialty. She had a longstanding interest in animal welfare. Her television career spanned seven decades and holds the Guinness World Record as the longest ever for a female entertainer. One of her best known roles was as Rose on the television hit “The Golden Girls”. Today’s dead celebrity is Betty White.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss and includes a guest appearance from Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 47 “Proud Mary” (Mary Tyler Moore) and Episode 11 “Stiletto Comic” (Joan Rivers)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Betty White

Betty White’s Opening Monologue on SNL in 2010

Tina Fey and Betty White ‘census’ skit on SNL

Betty White Snickers Super Bowl Commercial

Forest Service makes actress Betty White honorary ranger

Guest Jennifer Keishin Armstrong’s website

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

In this episode, Famous & Gravy reframes Betty White's story through the lens of mortality and cultural memory as part of a dead celebrity podcast and known for famous lives reframed, through themes of identity, perception, and lasting influence. It reflects on the interplay between public memory and personal truth. 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.

Hammer Time (Hank Aaron) May 03, 2023

Show notes

This person died 2021 at age 86. He was routinely brilliant, performing with seemingly effortless grace. He did not enjoy the idolatry accorded to his contemporaries. He grew up in Alabama amid rigid segregation, and he faced abuse from the stands while playing in the South as a minor leaguer. He was voted an All-Star in all but his first and last seasons, and he won three Golden Glove awards. In the 1974 season, he eclipsed Babe Ruth as baseball’s home run king, hitting 755 homers and holding the most celebrated record in sports for more than 30 years. Today’s dead celebrity is Hank Aaron.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 31 “The Greatest” (Muhammad Ali) and Episode 33 “October Errorr” (Bill Buckner)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run clip with Bill Buckner, two teenagers, and mom

Hank Aaron Forced America to Change article from The Ringer

Hank Aaron on David Letterman in 1982

Charles Schwab commercial with Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds

Hank Aaron Was a Franchisee for these 4 fast food chains article from Mashed

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Through obituary-driven conversation, this episode examines Hank Aaron's cultural resonance as part of a life lessons from celebrities and known for rethinking celebrity legacies, by spotlighting values, performance, and transformation. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This celebrity podcast explores celebrity obituary 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.

What About Bob (Bob Dole) Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

This person died 2021 at age 98. He was a star athlete who lettered in football, basketball, and track. He came home from World War II in a body cast, mostly paralyzed, and spent 39 months under intense care. He was a key figure behind the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. He starred in commercials for Visa in 1997, Viagra in 1998, and for Pepsi in 2001. During the 1996 presidential election, he often lapsed into legislative lingo and referred to himself in the third person. Today’s dead celebrity is Bob Dole.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 20 “Notorious Dissenter” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) and Episode 7 “Wiry Gadfly” (Ross Perot)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Bob Dole

Norm Macdonald’s impression of Bob Dole on SNL

Bob Dole for President 1988 commercial

Bob Dole for President 1996 commercial

Dole/Kemp ‘96 original campaign website

Bob Dole Viagra commercial

Bob Dole Pepsi commercial with Britney Spears

Norm Macdonald meets Bob Dole

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Proud Mary (Mary Tyler Moore) Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2017 at age 80. At age 17, she was hired to appear in a series of commercials for Hotpoint appliances. In 1980 she won a Golden Globe, and she was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1984, She entered the Betty Ford Center for treatment. She was a key inspiration for forming the character of Liz Lemon, the television writer portrayed by Tina Fey on the sitcom “30 Rock”. Her 1970s self-titled TV show was a balm to widespread anxieties about women in the workforce. Her character faced such issues as equal pay, birth control, and sexual independence. Today’s dead celebrity is Mary Tyler Moore.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 43 “Poetic Justice” (Maya Angelou) and Episode 38 “A Lovely Lady” (Florence Henderson)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Mary Tyler Moore

The Mary Tyler Moore Show on IMDB

Mary Tyler Moore as the Hotpoint Elf in her first role

How Mary Tyler Moore Changed Television article on Vox

Famous Women Who Married Much Younger Men

Meet the Paypal Mafia article on Business Insider

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Through obituary-driven conversation, this episode examines Mary Tyler Moore's cultural resonance as part of a what makes a life worth remembering and known for dead celebrity podcast, by spotlighting values, performance, and transformation. It examines how biography becomes mythology — and what that reveals about us. This celebrity podcast explores famous lives reframed and contributes to life lessons from celebrities.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Love and OJ Jokes (Norm Macdonald original) Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2021 at age 61. His brother Neil once told a reporter that he almost joined the newspaper business as a young man, but that he had deliberately botched an interview. By 1984, he spent four months opening for the comedian Sam Kinison. His sense of humor sometimes got him in hot water. A 2018 article about him said “The dedicated fan will identify two patterns in his television work: It is invariably funny, and it is invariably canceled.” He became familiar to millions as the Weekend Update anchor on “Saturday Night Live” from 1994 to 1998. Today’s dead celebrity is Norm Macdonald.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 39 “Super Funkhouser” (Bob Einstein) and Episode 29 “Zen Comedian” (Garry Shandling)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Norm Macdonald

“Norm Macdonald” was the real thing from The New Yorker

Trailer for Norm Macdonald’s posthumous Netflix special

Norm Macdonald returns to SNL as Host

Norm’s appearance on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” explained

Norm’s “moth” joke on Conan

Norm Macdonald lists his Santa Monica condo for sale

Marc Maron interviews Norm Macdonald on WTF

“Norm Macdonald Live” video podcast

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

As part of Famous & Gravy, this episode revisits the legacy of Norm Macdonald as part of a rethinking celebrity legacies and known for smart pop culture podcast, tracing the impact of acclaim, adversity, and legacy construction. It reflects on the interplay between public memory and personal truth. 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.

Rebel Rebel (David Bowie original) Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

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”. His son is a director best known for the 2009 film “Moon” starring Sam Rockwell. He was the Thin White Duke, Aladdin Sane, Major Tom, and Ziggy Stardust. Today’s dead celebrity is David Bowie.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 32 “Hot Stuff” (Donna Summer) and Episode 13 “Stubbled Pop Star” (George Michael)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for David Bowie

“”How David Bowie Fearlessly Changed Rock’n’Roll” article from Billboard

17-year old David interviewed about Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

Infamous Bowie Interview on Dick Cavett show in 1974

Bowie as musical guest on SNL in 1979

“Iman on LIfe with David Bowie” in Vanity Fair

Will Ferrell and John C Reilly play David Bowie and Bing Crosby

David Bowie scene on ‘Extras’ with Ricky Gervais

“Did David Bowie Say He Supports Fascism” article on Snopes

David Bowie predicted impact of the internet in 1999 BBC interview

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

In 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.

Inner Soprano (James Gandolfini) Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2013 at age 51. His father was an immigrant who held a number of jobs, including janitor, bricklayer, and mason. His mother was a high school cafeteria chef. He attended Rutgers University, graduating with a degree in communications. He drove a delivery truck, managed nightclubs and tended bar in Manhattan before becoming interested in acting at age 25. Throughout the 90s he had an impressive list of character-acting credits, but he was largely unknown until David Chase cast him in the role of Tony Soprano in 1999. Today’s dead celebrity is James Gandolfini.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss, and includes a guest appearance from Michael Warburton. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 35 “Likable Villain” (Alan Rickman) and Episode 29 “Zen Comedian” (Garry Shandling)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for James Gandolfini

James Gandolfini: Tribute to a Friend documentary

Gandolfini’s Acceptance Speech at 2000 Golden Globes

“James Gandolfini was Fat and Sexy” article in Salon

SNL Appearance on Weekend Update with Tina Fey

Sopranos Opening on The Simpsons

“The Night Tony Soprano Disappeared” in GQ Magazine

James Gandolfini’s 10 Best Non-Sopranos Roles in Parade

“Wartorn” PTSD documentary on IMDB produced by James Gandolfini

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