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

New York Times Obituary for Wes Craven

”Master of Cinema”, Wes Craven documentary

1997 Charlie Rose interview with Wes Craven

Wes Craven interviews on Fresh Air archives

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

This Famous & Gravy episode uses structured conversation to reflect on Wes Craven's enduring narrative as part of a famous lives reframed and known for obituary-based storytelling, considering how persona, influence, and vulnerability shaped perception. It reflects on the interplay between public memory and personal truth. This show explores rethinking celebrity legacies and contributes to life lessons from celebrities.

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Mind Traveler (Oliver Sacks) Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2015 at age 82. When he moved to California in the early 1960s, he befriended the poet Thom Gunn, began entering weight-lifting competitions, and joined the Hells Angels on motorcycle trips to the Grand Canyon. As a medical doctor and a writer, he achieved a level of popular renown rare among scientists. He first won widespread attention in 1973 for his book “Awakenings”, about a group of patients with an atypical form of encephalitis or “sleeping sickness” who experienced a partial rebirth. In the film adaptation, his character was played by Robin Williams. Today’s dead celebrity is Oliver Sacks.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Evan Sherer, and features guest co-host Nicholas Weiler. 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 26 “Wild Thing” (Maurice Sendak) and Episode 52 “Electric Vanities” (Tom Wolfe)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Oliver Sacks

Live interview with Radiolab’s Robert Krulwich

From Our Neurons to Yours podcast from Stanford Neuroscience

1989 PBS Newshour Profile of Oliver Sacks

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

This Famous & Gravy episode uses structured conversation to reflect on Oliver Sacks's enduring narrative as part of a celebrity obituary podcast and known for rethinking celebrity legacies, by spotlighting values, performance, and transformation. This episode offers a layered look at how we remember — and reinterpret — famous lives. This legacy podcast 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.

Defiant One (Sidney Poitier) Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2022 at age 94. In 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Although often simmering with repressed anger, his characters responded to injustice with quiet determination. He once wrote “I felt very much as if I were representing 18 million people with every move I made.” In a departure from acting, he directed the 1980 comedy “Stir Crazy”, starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. He was the first black performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. His acting credits include “Blackboard Jungle”, “The Defiant Ones”, and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”. Today’s dead celebrity is Sidney Poitier.

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.com

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 43 “Poetic Justice” (Maya Angelou) and Episode 31 “The Greatest” (Muhammad Ali)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Sidney Poitier

Trailer for ‘The Defiant Ones’

“How many African Americans have won an Oscar in all of history”

“Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Fierce Resolve”

“When Sidney Poitier Risked His Life For Civil Rights”

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

In reflecting on the life of Sidney Poitier, this episode of Famous & Gravy examines how fame and mortality intersect as part of a famous lives reframed and known for life lessons from celebrities, via exploration of public roles, mythmaking, and generational appeal. It examines how biography becomes mythology — and what that reveals about us. This legacy 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.

SYCBS x F&G Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Special crossover episode! Imagine this: You’re on a desert island, and you can choose one actor or actress – and ONLY ONE – for whom you get their entire IMDb catalog to pass the time. It’s just you, a palm tree, a DVD player (streaming hasn’t reached this desert island), and the IMDb catalog of a single performer. Who would you choose? This thought experiment was first proposed by co-host Michael Osborne in our Bill Paxton episode, and now we take the experiment live. Today we bring you a crossover showdown between the hosts of the “Surely You Can’t Be Serious” podcast and the Famous & Gravy hosts. Moderated by Jeff Johnson of the podcast “A Film By”, we humorously debate, argue, and ultimately find out who is in fact the IMDb MVP.

Our nominees in this special episode were inspired by Episode 58 “Best in Show” (Fred Willard) and Episode 51 “Goofball Stud” (Bill Paxton)

LINKS:

Samuel L Jackson’s IMDb

Fred Willard’s IMDb

Gary Oldman’s IMDb

Bill Paxton’s IMDb

“Surely You Can’t Be Serious” podcast and on Facebook, Twitter

“A Film By” podcast and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

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

Foul House (Bob Saget) Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2022 at age 65. In his last year of college, he won a student Academy Award for a documentary. After his sister died of a rare autoimmune disease called systemic scleroderma, he became a board member of the Scleroderma Research Foundation. He was cast in the 1987 Richard Pryor film, “Critical Condition.” He directed “Dirty Work”, a comedy starring Norm Macdonald and Artie Lange. He said he was drawn to jokes with foul language and raw anatomical references because he wasn’t supposed to talk that way in his youth. He played Danny Tanner on the long-running sitcom “Full House” and was the host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos”. Today’s dead celebrity is Bob Saget.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 53 ”Heartwarming Humor” (Louie Anderson) and Episode 47 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Bob Saget

Best moments from the Comedy Central roast of Bob Saget

John Posey as Danny Tanner in ‘Full House’ pilot

“Inside John Mayer's Incredible Friendship With Bob Saget”

“The Duality of Bob Saget is What Made Him Special” from The Ringer

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Through obituary-driven conversation, this episode examines Bob Saget's cultural resonance as part of a smart pop culture podcast and known for dead celebrity podcast, tracing the impact of acclaim, adversity, and legacy construction. Through reflection and structure, the episode reveals how fame evolves after death. This legacy podcast explores rethinking celebrity legacies 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.

Sentient Princess (Carrie Fisher) Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

This person died in 2016 at age 60. She was just 19 years old when she acted in her most iconic role. She offered wry commentary in her books on the paradoxes and absurdities of the entertainment industry. Her first book was made into a movie directed by Mike Nichols. She had a recurring role on the British comedy “Catastrophe”. She dated Dan Aykroyd and was once married to Paul Simon. Her mother was the actress Debbie Reynolds. She played Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” movies. Today’s dead celebrity is Carrie Fisher.

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss, and features guest co-host 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 56 “Sleepless Sally” (Nora Ephron) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Carrie Fisher

“Good Morning America”, Carrie Fisher interviewed with her dog Gary

“30 Rock” highlights from Carrie Fisher cameo

“Charlie Rose” 1994 interview with Carrie Fisher

’So Fetch’ book on Jennifer Keishin Armstrong’s website

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

This episode of Famous & Gravy considers how Carrie Fisher shaped public consciousness as part of a rethinking celebrity legacies and known for obituary-based storytelling, considering how persona, influence, and vulnerability shaped perception. The conversation deepens our view of what a life can teach us posthumously. This show explores celebrity obituary 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.

Golden Rose (Betty White) Dec 27, 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 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.

This episode originally published May 17, 2023

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 61 “Dame Detective” (Angela Lansbury) and Episode 47 “Proud Mary” (Mary Tyler Moore)

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.

Let's Get Metaphysical (Olivia Newton-John) Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2022 at age 83. She amassed number 1 hits, chart-topping albums, and four records that sold more than two million copies each. Her consistently benign music and initial squeaky-clean image caused many to compare her to Doris Day. More than anything else, she was likable, even beloved. For years she was a prominent advocate for cancer research, starting a foundation in her name. She played Sandy in the musical “Grease” alongside John Travolta and had a massive hit in the 1980s with the song “Let’s Get Physical”. Today’s dead celebrity is Olivia Newton-John.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 38 “A Lovely Lady” (Florence Henderson) and Episode 32 “Hot Stuff” (Donna Summer).

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Olivia Newton-John

“Mystery billionaire returns auctioned Grease Jacket”

“The wild Peruvian experience that changed Olivia Newton-John’s life”

“What made Olivia Newton-John 'horrified' about ‘Let’s Get 'Physical’” and music video

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Through obituary-driven conversation, this episode examines Olivia Newton-John's cultural resonance as part of a famous lives reframed and known for biographies from a different point of view, by examining professional highs, private struggles, and symbolic impact. This episode invites contemplation about the emotional architecture of legacy. This legacy podcast explores rethinking celebrity legacies 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.

Father of the Bride (William Goldman) Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2018 at age 87. He wrote his most famous screenplay while teaching creative writing at Princeton University. Eight of his films each grossed more than $100 million domestically. He was called the world’s greatest and most famous living screenwriter. Even so, he was an outspoken critic of the movie industry, and made headlines when he declared, “Nobody knows anything.” He wrote ‘The Princess Bride’ and ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Today’s dead celebrity is William Goldman.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 52 “Electric Vanities” (Tom Wolfe) and Episode 23 “Book Rancher” (Larry McMurtry)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for William Goldman

“The Five Defining Lines of William Goldman” from The Ringer

Discussing “nobody knows anything” on Charlie Rose

‘The Princess Bride’ movie trailer

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Part of the obituary podcast Famous & Gravy, this episode unpacks the significance of William Goldman as part of a legacy podcast and known for biographies from a different point of view, by spotlighting values, performance, and transformation. This episode invites contemplation about the emotional architecture of legacy. This celebrity podcast explores famous lives reframed 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.

Higher Power (Bill Russell) Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

This person died in 2022 at age 88. He was once described by his coach as “the single most devastating force in the history of the game.” He took part in the 1963 March on Washington and was seated in the front row for Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is remembered for his ability to enhance the talents of his Boston Celtics teammates even as he dominated the action, and to do it without bravado. He holds the record for most NBA championships won with 11 titles. The trophy for the MVP of the Finals is in fact named after him. Today’s dead celebrity is Bill Russell.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 49 “Hammer Time” (Hank Aaron), Episode 33 “October Error” (Bill Buckner), and Episode 31 “The Greatest ” (Muhammad Ali)

LINKS:

New York Times Obituary for Bill Russell

Wall Street Journal Obituary for Bill Russell

Politico Obituary for Bill Russell

“The Unparalleled Legacy of Bill Russell” from the Ringer

“Boston’s Checkered History with its Greatest Sports Icon” from CNN Opinion

ESPN’s list of Top Athletes in 20th Century

5 celebrities the late Bill Russell gave the middle finger to

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