Last Days
Last Days explores the final days of some of the biggest icons in sports and entertainment, breaking down precisely what led to the passing of figures who were larger than life but somehow even bigger in death. Derek Kaufman and Jason Beckerman debunk the myths, unpack the tragedies, and tell the real stories behind the most fascinating celebrity deaths.
Our Editor's Take
The Last Days podcast unveils the mysterious stories of famous deaths. When icons die, people all over the world mourn. Many remember their lives and most significant achievements. Who knows how they lived their final weeks and hours? Listeners learn about the closing moments of entertainers, athletes, and politicians.
Hosts Jason Beckerman and Derek Kaufman begin most episodes of Last Days with a sound clip from the subject at hand. One starts with the sound of Selena's singing. Another begins with Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther. Tina Turner's inimitable raspy voice rings before Derek and Jason tell her tale. Other episodes open with the living voices of actors John Ritter and Brittany Murphy.
Derek and Jason investigate Chris Farley's death in a three-part episode. In 1997, he died from a drug overdose at 33. While his friends remember him as hilarious and kind, he struggled with addiction. Did this famed funnyman seek help? How did his time at Saturday Night Live contribute to his addiction and death? As they answer these questions, the podcast hosts celebrate his contributions to comedy.
The podcast discusses the sudden passing of James Gandolfini. As Tony Soprano on The Sopranos, he earned many Emmy and Golden Globe awards. While traveling in Italy in 2013, his son found him on the bathroom floor, unconscious. The 51-year-old died 20 minutes after arriving at the hospital. His fatal heart attack left family and friends heartbroken. Is the story more complicated?
After his death, people began to learn about his problems with alcohol and drugs. The actor sometimes attended Alcoholics Anonymous. He consumed excessive amounts of intoxicants the night he died. James lived his life with the same intensity as he acted. This commitment made him an extraordinary actor, but it also killed him.
The Last Days podcast also tells the stories of Dale Earnhardt, John Belushi, Natasha Richardson, and other beloved figures. It offers listeners a glimpse into how their heroes left this world. Their legacies may be clear to see, but their lives reveal complex stories of human flaws. New 30-minute episodes appear each week.
Episodes
