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 c...
Wed, April 09, 2025
Soul Queen (Aretha Franklin)
This person died 2018, age 76. She had a child two months before her 13th birthday. She started teaching herself to play the piano before she was 10, picking up songs from the radio.In 1969, she dropped her husband as manager and eventually filed restraining orders against him. She also went through a period of heavy drinking before getting sober in the 1970s. Rolling Stone magazine put her at the top of its 2010 greatest singers of all time. Her music defined a modern female archetype: sensual and strong, long-suffering but ultimately indomitable, loving but not to be taken for granted. Today’s dead celebrity is Aretha Franklin. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 90 Big Adventurer (Paul Reubens aka Pee-wee Herman) and Episode 31 The Greatest (Muhammad Ali) Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Matt Anderson. LINKS: Transcript of this episode Aretha Franklin, great gowns Aretha Franklin Snickers commercial Aretha Franklin stands in for Pavarotti Aretha Franklin Obama Inauguration Matt Anderson on LinkedIn Imagination Factory , Matt Anderson’s organization Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 26, 2025
Divine Neighbor (Fred Rogers)
This person died 2003 age 74.He was an ordained Presbyterian minister. He once volunteered at a state prison in Pittsburgh and helped set up a playroom for children visiting their parents. Eddie Murphy parodied him on "Saturday Night Live." One of his sweaters hangs in the Smithsonian Institution. He composed his own songs for his show and began each episode in a set made to look like a comfortable living room, singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” Today’s dead celebrity is Fred Rogers. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like 90 Big Adventurer (Paul Reubens aka Pee-wee Herman) and Episode 40 Eve’s Dropper (Dick Clark). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. LINKS: Transcript of this episode Fred Rogers 1969 testimony before Congress Fred Rogers 1997 Lifetime Achievement award at the Emmys Fred Rogers talks about meeting Eddie Murphy on David Letterman SCTV Battle of the PBS Stars: Julia Child vs. Fred Rogers Ministry of Pop Culture Substack Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 12, 2025
Crikey Inner Child (Steve Irwin)
This person died in 2006, age 44. He was an ebullient staple of American talk shows. His American-born wife was his business partner and on-screen co-star. His fame engendered books, action figures and interactive games. For a time, tube-watching pub crawlers played a drinking game, hoisting a glass every time he said, “Crikey!” or, “Isn’t she a beauty?” His television show, “The Crocodile Hunter,” was seen in more than 100 countries on cable television. Today’s dead celebrity is Steve Irwin. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 67 Golden Rose (Betty White) and Episode 17 Modest Moonwalker (Neil Armstrong). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host John Watts. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Steve Irwin South Park impersonation of Steve Irwin Steve Irwin tackles Florida Gator mascot on ESPN Compilation of Steve Irwin being attacked by wildlife Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, February 26, 2025
Pleasure Activist (Julia Child)
This person died 2004, age 91. Her father was a wealthy farm consultant and investor; her mother was a housewife with a cook and maid. She attended Smith College, and she had some vague idea of being a novelist or a basketball star. After World War II broke out, she signed up for intelligence work with the Office of Strategic Services, hoping to become a spy. A self-confessed ham, she became a darling of audiences and comedians almost from the moment she made her debut on WGBH in Boston in 1963. She was a towering figure on the culinary front for more than 40 years. Most Americans knew her as the imperturbable host of the long-running PBS television series "The French Chef." Today’s dead celebrity is Julia Child. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 81 Dimpled Ambassador (Shirley Temple) and Episode 20 Notorious Dissenter (Ruth Bader Ginsburg). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Michelle Dahlenburg. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Julia Child Dan Aykroyd impersonation of Julia Child on SNL Julia Child, chaos muppet Cassoulet recipe from Mastering the Art of French Cooking Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, February 12, 2025
Time Pilgrim (Kurt Vonnegut)
This person died 2007 age 84. He studied for a master’s degree in anthropology at the University of Chicago, writing a thesis on “The Fluctuations Between Good and Evil in Simple Tales.” Like Mark Twain, he used humor to tackle the basic questions of human existence. With a blend of science fiction, philosophy and jokes, he wrote about the banalities of consumer culture, and the destruction of the environment. With his curly hair askew, deep pouches under his eyes and rumpled clothes, he often looked like an out-of-work philosophy professor. The defining moment of his life was the firebombing of Dresden, Germany, by Allied forces in 1945, an event he witnessed firsthand as a young prisoner of war. His experience in Dresden was the basis of his book “Slaughterhouse-Five.” Today’s dead celebrity is Kurt Vonnegut. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 92 Acerbic Comedian (George Carlin) and Episode 80 Super Funkhouser (Bob Einstein). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Wiley Hodges. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Kurt Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut’s Shape of Stories lecture Vonnegut in Back To School with Rodney Dangerfield 1975 Profile of Vonnegut Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, January 29, 2025
Ranch Dresser (Paul Newman)
This person died in 2008 at age 83. In the early 1950s he was accepted as a student at the Actors Studio in New York, where he took lessons alongside James Dean, Geraldine Page, and Marlon Brando. In midlife, racing cars became his obsession. He acted in more than 65 movies over more than 50 years, drawing on a physical grace, unassuming intelligence and good humor that made it all seem effortless. In 1982, as a lark, he decided to sell a salad dressing he had created for friends, and the brand expanded to include popcorn, spaghetti sauce, pretzels, and wine. Today’s dead celebrity is Paul Newman. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 93 “American Royalty” (Elizabeth Taylor)and Episode 65 “Father of the Bride” (William Goldman). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola, and features guest co-host Michael Warburton. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Paul Newman Support Michael Warburton on Ko-fi Three interviews with Paul Newman Paul Newman talks politics with Dick Cavett 10 year anniversary of Newman’s Own Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, January 15, 2025
Total Consciousness (Harold Ramis)
This person died in 2014 at age 69. In the late 1960s he was hired as jokes editor at Playboy magazine, and he also joined Second City’s touring company. After he had taken a job with SCTV, the Toronto sketch comedy show, SNL approached him to be a writer. His breakthrough came in 1978 when he co-wrote “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” and he made his directorial debut with the country club comedy “Caddyshack” (1980). He went on to write “Ghostbusters” (1984) and “Ghostbusters II” (1989), playing the super-intellectual Dr. Egon Spengler. He also wrote and directed “Groundhog Day”, which several critics called his masterpiece. Today’s dead celebrity is Harold Ramis. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 85 “More Respect” (Rodney Dangerfield) and Episode 54 “Secret Chord” (Leonard Cohen). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Harold Ramis “The Joyful Comedy of Harold Ramis” New Yorker article Harold Ramis Day proclaimed on Feb. 2 in Chicago Harold Ramis and Seth Rogen in “Knocked Up ” Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, January 01, 2025
Chief Margarita Officer (Jimmy Buffett)
This person died in 2023 at age 76. He was an accomplished author, and was one of only a few writers (the likes of Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck) to top both the Times fiction and non-fiction best-seller lists. He moved to Nashville in 1970, hoping to make it as a country singer while working as a journalist for Billboard magazine. He wrote music for “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Urban Cowboy.” He also appeared in movies, including “Rancho Deluxe” and “Jurassic World.” His live shows abounded with singalong anthems (eg “Margaritaville”) and festive tropical iconography, making him a perennial draw on the concert circuit where he built an ardent fan base known as Parrot Heads. Today’s dead celebrity is Jimmy Buffett. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 51 “Goofball Stud” (Bill Paxton) and Episode 42 “Game Changer” (John Madden). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Jimmy Buffett Jimmy Buffett: How the Billionaire Made His Money Jimmy Buffett's University of Miami Commencement Speech ‘Jurassic World’ scene with Jimmy Buffett Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, December 18, 2024
American Royalty (Elizabeth Taylor)
This person died in 2011 at age 79. Her father was an art dealer who had been transferred to London from New York, and her mother had acted in the theater. She first appeared on screen at age 10, and was one of the world’s most famous film stars before she even completed her teens. Regarding her acting, she once said, “What I try to do is to give the maximum emotional effect with the minimum of visual movement.” Late in life she became a social activist – she helped establish the American Foundation for AIDS Research and helped raise money for it. After her sixth (of eight) marriage ended, she checked into the Betty Ford Center. In addition to alcohol and drugs, she had a problem with overeating, and it became the butt of jokes by late night comedians especially Joan Rivers. Today’s dead celebrity is Elizabeth Taylor. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 68 “Sentient Princess” (Carrie Fisher) and Episode 71 “Defiant One” (Sidney Poitier) Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Elizabeth Taylor Trailer for HBO Documentary ‘Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” Commercial for White Diamonds perfume Elizabeth Taylor in ‘The Flintstones’ movie Wondery’s “Even The Rich” Elizabeth Taylor series Elizabeth Taylor’s HIV/Aids Activism Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website</
Wed, December 04, 2024
Acerbic Comedian (George Carlin)
This person died 2008 at age 71. He grew up with his mother and his older brother on West 121st in Manhattan. He dropped out of high school and joined the Air Force, and while stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana, worked as a radio disc jockey. During the course of his career, he overcame numerous personal trials – he was arrested several times, he weathered serious tax problems, a heart attack, and two open-heart surgeries. He was the first person ever to host Saturday Night Live. In 1978, the Supreme Court upheld an order prohibiting the words as “indecent” from his bit “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television”. Today’s dead celebrity is George Carlin. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 40 “Eve’s Dropper” (Dick Clark) and Episode 29 “Zen Comedian" (Garry Shandling). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for George Carlin Carlin’s “Dumb Americans” clip Trailer for Judd Apatow’s documentary about Carlin George Carlin Quotes to make you Laugh, Smile, and Think “Fresh Air” Interview with George Carlin Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, November 20, 2024
Studio Insider (James Lipton)
This person died in 2020 at age 93. He was the only child of a noted Beat poet. He won his first professional acting job in the 1940s, when he was cast in the live radio program “The Lone Ranger”. On several occasions he recounted a period of months he spent in Paris in the 1950s working as a “mec” – or pimp – for a legal prostitute. His association with the Actors Studio began in 1992. He was a knowledgeable interviewer who focused on craft while avoiding gossip. Beyond his globally successful Bravo TV program, he was as well known for being relentlessly lampooned by Will Ferrell on “Saturday Night Live”. Today’s dead celebrity is James Lipton. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 43 “Poetic Justice” (Maya Angelou) and Episode 18 “Darling’s Critic” (Roger Ebert). Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Megan Palmer. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for James Lipton Will Ferrell impersonates James Lipton on SNL James Lipton shotguns a beer on Conan Lipton as Warden Gentles on “Arrested Development” Why Bradley Cooper was James Lipton’s most memorable interview Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Threads Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, November 06, 2024
Big Adventurer (Paul Reubens aka Pee-wee Herman)
This person died in 2023 at age 70. A turning point in his career came shortly after a disappointing and unsuccessful audition for “Saturday Night Live” in 1980. He once said “Today, it’s a lot more difficult to stand out. You know, if you want to be weird, good luck.” He had scores of acting credits, including roles on “Murphy Brown,” “The Blacklist” and many other television series and in movies like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Blow”. He was in a feature film directed by Tim Burton in 1985, after which he created a highly successful, live action Saturday morning kid’s series, both in character as his quirky alter-ego. The film followed him on a “Big Adventure” while the series took you inside a magical Playhouse. Today’s dead celebrity is Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 80 “Super Funkhouser” (Bob Einstein) and Episode 26 “Wild Thing” (Maurice Sendak) Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Megan Palmer. LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Paul Reubens “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” official film trailer Opening sequence for “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” TV series Flight of the Navigator CGI Spaceship with Paul’s voice Cheech and Chong “I’m sorry” scene with Paul A conversation with Paul Reubens at SXSW The origins of Pee-wee Herman article in ‘The New Yorker’ Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website </
Wed, October 23, 2024
Surely Serious (Leslie Nielsen)
This person died in 2010 at age 84. His elder brother was deputy prime minister of Canada. Before his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained as an aerial gunner during World War II. He had a matinee-idol profile, and was often cast as a serious and earnest hero throughout much of his film career. His big break came in 1980 when he played a clueless doctor in the low-budget, disaster-movie parody “Airplane!” His line that became a catchphrase was “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.” His subsequent comedic acting successes included the very non-serious and highly successful movie trilogy “The Naked Gun” as well as the “Police Squad!” television series. Today’s dead celebrity is Leslie Nielsen. 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.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 61 Dame Detective (Angela Lansbury) and Episode 16 Quintessential Quizmaster (Alex Trebek). LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Leslie Nielsen “Don’t call me Shirley” clip from Airplane! Arctic location of Nielsen’s log cabin home Leslie Nielsen’s SNL Monologue in 1989 ESPN’s satirical obituary for Enrico Palazzo Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not
Wed, October 09, 2024
Dirty Dancer (Patrick Swayze)
This person died in 2009 at age 57. His father was an engineer and a rodeo cowboy. He was a student athlete, and his dancing career was hampered by a severe football injury. In the 1970s he moved from Houston to New York to study dance, becoming a member of Eliot Feld Ballet. He was determined not to be typecast, and said in a 1989 interview, “The only plan I have is that every time people think they have me pegged, I’m going to come out of left field and do something unexpected.” The coming-of-age film “Dirty Dancing” established him as a romantic leading man. His other starring roles include “Roadhouse”, “Ghost”, and “Point Break”. Today’s dead celebrity biography is Patrick Swayze. 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.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 57 Cool Hand Dylan (Luke Perry) and Episode 51 Goofball Stud (Bill Paxton). LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Patrick Swayze Dead or Alive quiz game SNL Chippendales sketch with Swayze and Chris Farley “Nobody wins a fight” and “Pain don’t hurt” scene from Roadhouse Barbara Walters interview with Patrick in 2009 How Patrick Swayze Convinced Whoopi Goldberg to be in ‘Ghost’ article Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="
Wed, September 25, 2024
Simply the Best (Tina Turner)
This person died 2023 at age 83. In 2013, after demonstrating a proficiency in German, she became a citizen of Switzerland. In 1987, she appeared in a Pepsi commercial alongside David Bowie. She is credited with helping Mick Jagger learn to dance. In 1988, She held a concert for 180,000 people in Rio de Janeiro, breaking the record for the largest paying audience for a solo artist. Her first marriage provided much of the material for the 1993 film “What’s Love Got to Do With It”, starring Angela Bassett. Her parade of solo hit songs include the classics “Private Dancer” and “The Best”. Today’s dead celebrity is Tina Turner. 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.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like 084 Vocal Bedrock (Johnny Cash) and Episode 033 October Error (Bill Buckner) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Tina Turner Pepsi commercial starring Tina and David Bowie Tina Turner’s solo performance of ‘Proud Mary’ Photo of Tina, Keith Richards, and David Bowie in NYC 1983 “Australians Smash Nutbush World Record” Tina’s schoolhouse at West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="
Wed, September 11, 2024
Boundary Breaker (Barbara Walters)
This person died in 2022 at age 93. In 1976, she became known as the “million-dollar baby” because of a contract with ABC that made her the highest-paid journalist, male or female, in television history. She was married three times, and between marriages she dated many prominent and powerful people, among them Senator John Warner and Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan. She drove a motorcycle with Sylvester Stallone, danced the mambo with Patrick Swayze, and rode a patrol boat with Fidel Castro across the Bay of Pigs. In 2007, she tried to intervene in a vitriolic spat between Rosie O’Donnell and Donald J. Trump. She was perhaps best known for asking intimate interview questions, and as creator of the television “The View”. Today’s dead celebrity is Barbara Walters. 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.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 47 “Proud Mary” (Mary Tyler Moore), and Episode 42 “Game Changer” (John Madden) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Barbara Walters Gilda Radner’s SNL Impression Cheri Oteri’s SNL Impression Barbara Interviews Fidel Castro Barbara’s last day on ‘The View’ Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, August 28, 2024
More Respect (Rodney Dangerfield)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times Obituary for Rodney Dangerfield Top Rodney Dangerfield jokes superclip Michael Bolton impersonates Rodney Rodney Dangerfield Institute at LA Community College Rodney’s Triple Lindy in “Back to School” Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.
Wed, August 14, 2024
Vocal Bedrock (Johnny Cash)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times Obituary for Johnny Cash Johnny Cash’s video for “Hurt” Homer Simpson meets Johnny Cash’s Space Coyote Photo of Johnny Cash jamming with Stephen King “How Rick Rubin revitalized Johnny Cash’s career” video clip Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, August 07, 2024
Famous & Gravy Announcement!
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 shows Famous & Gravy official website Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Dead or Alive quiz game See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, July 24, 2024
Rebel Rebel (David Bowie)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times Obituary for David Bowie 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/famous-and-gravy/" rel="noopener
Wed, July 10, 2024
Dimpled Ambassador (Shirley Temple)
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Shirley Temple Black Classic Shirley Temple scene “On The Good Ship Lollipop” “The Child Star Who Wasn’t a Cautionary Tale” from The Atlantic Shirley Temple Black on Larry King Live How to Make a Shirley Temple drink Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, June 26, 2024
Super Funkhouser (Bob Einstein)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times Obituary for Bob Einstein Super Dave Osborne King of the Road video Super Dave Bungee Jump video Scene in Modern Romance with Bob Einstein and Albert Brooks “Super Dave, In Memoriam” article in The Yorker “Mourning Marty Funkhouser” article in The Ringer Bob Einstein Official Website The Super Bob Einstein Movie HBO Documentary Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter <a href="https://www.famousan
Wed, June 12, 2024
Likable Villain (Alan Rickman)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times obituary for Alan Rickman Emma Thompson tribute to Alan Rickman Kevin Smith tribute to Alan Rickman Hans Gruber fall in Die Hard Alan Rickman’s voicemail bit on Family Guy Alan Rickman takes Jimmy Fallon to task Alan Rickman behind the scenes of Harry Potter as Snape Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener nor
Wed, May 29, 2024
Purple Reign (Prince)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times Obituary for Prince Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories on Chappelle Show Dick Clark interviews Prince on American Bandstand in 1980 Chris Rock interviews Prince in 1997 Prince’s performance at the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Black Women of Amherst College podcast series Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https:
Wed, May 15, 2024
Hungarian Socialite (Zsa Zsa Gabor)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times Obituary for Zsa Zsa Gabor “Why I wish I married Zsa Zsa Gabor” from The Guardian Life Advice Straight From Zsa Zsa Gabor's Book “Judge Slaps Zsa Zsa with 3 days in jail” from LA Times Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, May 01, 2024
Poetic Justice (Maya Angelou)
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.com If 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 episode New York Times Obituary for Maya Angelou Maya Angelou’s poem at the 1993 inauguration Tracy Morgan’s impersonation of Angelou’s Hallmark Cards on SNL Maya Angelou for Froot Loops on SNL performed by David Alan Grier Maya Angelou’s Life in Photos in the New Yorker “And I Still Rise” Documentary on Maya Angelou Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter<
Wed, April 17, 2024
Love and OJ Jokes (Norm Macdonald)
This person died in 2021 at age 61. He almost joined the newspaper business as a young man, but 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. This episode originally published March 22, 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.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 69 “Foul House” (Bob Saget) and Episode 53 “Heartwarming Humor” (Louie Anderson) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/famous-and-gravy
Wed, April 03, 2024
The Masterclass Act (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
This person died in 2014 at age 46. His mother was a former family court judge, and his father worked for the Xerox corporation. The New York Times once said “He does terminal uncertainty better than practically anyone.” He was a sleepy-looking man with uncombed hair who favored rumpled clothes. He was perhaps the most ambitious and widely admired American actor of his generation. He earned Oscar nominations for his performances in “The Master”, “Doubt”, and “Charlie Wilson’s War”, and won as Best Actor for “Capote” in 2005. Today’s dead celebrity is Philip Seymour Hoffman. 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 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 71 “Defiant One” (Sidney Poitier) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Philip Seymour Hoffman Mimi O’Donnell’s Vogue article Philip Seymour Hoffman on Charlie Rose in 2002 Top 10 Philip Seymour Hoffman performances Bill Burr on Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 20, 2024
Professor on Elm Street (Wes Craven)
This person died in 2015 at age 76. He taught English at Westminster College in Pennsylvania, and was also a high school teacher. He directed the drama “Music of the Heart”, based on the true story of a woman who taught violin to underprivileged children in Harlem. He directed his first feature film In 1972, “Last House on the Left”. He also directed the first four movies of the “Scream” franchise starring Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox. His most famous creation was the serial killer Freddy Krueger, who, with his razor-blade glove, haunted the dreams of teenagers in “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Today’s dead celebrity is Wes Craven. 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 Morgan Honaker. 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 34 “Zombie Mastermind” (George Romero) and Episode 62 “Lord of Horror” (Christopher Lee) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 06, 2024
Mind Traveler (Oliver Sacks)
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: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, February 21, 2024
Defiant One (Sidney Poitier)
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: Transcript of this episode 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” Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at
Wed, February 07, 2024
SYCBS x F&G
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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se
Wed, January 24, 2024
Foul House (Bob Saget)
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. 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 53 ”Heartwarming Humor” (Louie Anderson) and Episode 47 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-no
Wed, January 10, 2024
Sentient Princess (Carrie Fisher)
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: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, December 27, 2023
Golden Rose (Betty White)
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: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C
Wed, December 13, 2023
Let's Get Metaphysical (Olivia Newton-John)
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. 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 38 “A Lovely Lady” (Florence Henderson) and Episode 32 “Hot Stuff” (Donna Summer). LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-
Wed, November 29, 2023
Father of the Bride (William Goldman)
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. 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 52 “Electric Vanities” (Tom Wolfe) and Episode 23 “Book Rancher” (Larry McMurtry) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, November 15, 2023
Higher Power (Bill Russell)
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. 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 49 “Hammer Time” (Hank Aaron), Episode 33 “October Error” (Bill Buckner), and Episode 31 “The Greatest ” (Muhammad Ali) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , Linke
Wed, November 01, 2023
America's Mustache (Burt Reynolds)
This person died in 2018 at age 82. His early passion was for football, and he played halfback at Florida State University. He was part Cherokee. He had an often turbulent career that spanned some 100 films and countless television appearances. He had a volatile temperament, but he himself projected an air of nonchalance and professed not to take his career too seriously. He was a self-mocking charmer with laugh-crinkled dark eyes, a distinctive mustache, and a hairy chest. He had box-office success with films like “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Cannonball Run”. Today’s dead celebrity is Burt Reynolds. 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 55 “Pure Imagination” (Gene Wilder) and Episode 51 “Goofball Stud” (Bill Paxton) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Burt Reynolds “46 years of Burt Reynolds’ Glorious Mustache” in The Washington Post Burt’s ‘Cosmopolitan’ centerfold in 1972 Clip of Burt Reynolds vs Mark Summers on ‘The Tonight Show’ “Burt Reynolds on Toupees, Trump,...” in GQ Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a
Wed, October 25, 2023
Lord of Horror (Christopher Lee)
This person died in 2015 at age 93. He was a physically towering British movie actor with distinguished good looks, a Shakespearean voice, and aristocratic presence. His breakthrough film was the horror movie “The Curse of Frankenstein.” Though closely associated with horror, he maintained that of his roughly 250 movie and television roles, only 15 or so had been in horror films. Even into his 70s and 80s, he could strike fear in the hearts of moviegoers. He played the treacherous light-saber-wielding villain Count Dooku in the “Star Wars” series, and the dangerously charismatic wizard Saruman in the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies. Today’s dead celebrity is Christopher Lee. 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 Morgan Honaker. 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 34 “Zombie Mastermind” (George Romero) and Episode 35 “Likable Villain” (Alan Rickman) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Christopher Lee Christopher Lee BAFTA award Jingle Hell song Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, October 18, 2023
Dame Detective (Angela Lansbury)
This person died in 2022 at age 96. She once said “I wasn’t very good at being a starlet. I didn’t want to pose for cheesecake photos and that kind of thing.” She received two Oscar nominations before the age of 25. In the mid-1950s she found herself cast as either one of two types: as she put it, “bitches on wheels and people’s mothers.” She was nominated for a Tony Award at age 83, a testament to her extraordinary stamina and range. She captured the biggest audience of her career in the 1980s and 90s, when she played the role of mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher on the CBS series “Murder, She Wrote.” Today’s dead celebrity is Angela Lansbury. 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 50 “Golden Rose” (Betty White) and Episode 47 “Proud Mary” (Mary Tyler Moore) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Angela Lansbury Angela’s incredible speed singing in the musical “Gypsy” Angela Lansbury’s full length fitness video “Cozy Cup of Tea” article from the New Yorker Clip of her first movie appearance in ‘Gaslight’ at age 17 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .<
Wed, October 04, 2023
Geto Man (Bushwick Bill)
This person died in 2019 at age 52. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica but spent much of his childhood in Brooklyn. In the late 1980s, the influential music producer Rick Rubin signed his group. In 1991, he had an early brush with death when he was shot in the right eye. He was born with dwarfism and stood approximately 3 feet 8 inches tall. He was a member of the Houston-based rap group the Geto Boys, who’s biggest singles were ”Mind Playing Tricks on Me“ and “Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta”. Today’s dead celebrity is Bushwick Bill. Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss and features a guest appearance from Charles Hughes. 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 37 “Just a Friend” (Biz Markie) and Episode 54 “Secret Chord” (Leonard Cohen) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Bushwick Bill Geto Boys’ album cover for “We Can’t Be Stopped” Bushwick Bill’s son Young Knxw official site “Office Space” printer scene “Why Bushwick Bill Matters” book by Charles Hughes on Goodreads Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, September 20, 2023
Two Ticket Holder (Eddie Money)
This person died in 2019 at age 70. His birth name was Edward Mahoney. He was the son of a police officer, and he was headed for that career himself when he dropped out of the New York Police Academy to move to San Francisco in pursuit of rock stardom – which he found in 1978. He struggled with drugs in the early 1980s, but he staged several comebacks, and found hits later that decade. He and his family had been the focus of a reality television show on AXS TV. His hits include “Baby Hold On” and “Two Tickets to Paradise”. Today’s dead celebrity is Eddie Money. 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 21 “Florida Man” (Tom Petty) and Episode 45 “Rebel Rebel” (David Bowie) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Eddie Money “Why Eddie Money Was the Patron Saint of Rock Uncool” article in Rolling Stone History of Levittown, NY Eddie Money Geico Commercial Homer Simpson sings “Two Tickets” Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, September 06, 2023
Best in Show (Fred Willard)
This person died in 2020 at age 86. Over the years he was a favorite among talk-show hosts, making at least 50 guest appearances on “The Tonight Show”. He made an art of playing characters who are “gloriously out of their depth” and gleefully self-unaware. He appeared in more than 700 films and television episodes over a half-century. He was nominated for Emmy Awards for his roles on “Modern Family” and “Everybody Loves Raymond”. He was a frequent collaborator with the director Christopher Guest with iconic performances in “Waiting for Guffman”, “Best in Show”, and “A Mighty Wind”. Today’s dead celebrity is Fred Willard. Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss and features a guest appearance from Saul Austerlitz. 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 39 “Super Funkhouser” (Bob Einstein) and Episode 46 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Fred Willard 12 Unforgettable Fred Willard Film and TV Appearances Fred Willard scene from ‘Best in Show’ “Wha’ Happened?” clip from ‘A Mighty Wind’ Fred Willard ‘Bold and the Beautiful’ appearance Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, August 23, 2023
Cool Hand Dylan (Luke Perry)
This person died in 2019 at age 52. His looks were often compared to James Dean. Before his breakout, his main credits had been a handful of soap operas. His mega-stardom was unexpected. In recent years, he made dozens of television appearances, including regular roles on the HBO prison drama “Oz” and the crime drama “Riverdale”. He played Dylan McKay, a bad-boy teenager who struggled with alcoholism on the hit TV show Beverly Hills 90210. Today’s dead celebrity is Luke Perry. 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 51 “Goofball Stud” (Bill Paxton) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Luke Perry Picture of Luke Perry as Freddie Bird Luke Perry Makes The Cover of AARP Sideshow Luke Perry scene on The Simpsons Top 10 Memorable Dylan McKay Moments on 90210 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, August 09, 2023
Sleepless Sally (Nora Ephron)
This person died in 2012 at age 71. In the summer of 1961 she was a summer intern in the Kennedy White House; she once said she was probably the only intern that President Kennedy had never hit on. Her second husband was the Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein. She was a journalist, essayist, novelist, playwright, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, and a movie director — a rarity in a film industry whose directorial ranks were and continue to be dominated by men. Her box-office successes included “You’ve Got Mail” , “Julie & Julia” , “Sleepless in Seattle”, and “When Harry Met Sally”. Today’s dead celebrity is Nora Ephron. 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 Erin Carlson. 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 and Episode 18 “Darling’s Critic” (Roger Ebert) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Nora Ephron Nora Ephron’s commencement speech at Wellesley College Nora Ephron documentary “Everything is Copy” by Jacob Bernstein ‘The Nora Ephron We Forget’ article in The New Yorker Erin Carlson website , author of ‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’ Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" targe
Wed, July 26, 2023
Pure Imagination (Gene Wilder)
This person died in 2016 at age 83. He was an accomplished stage actor as well as a screenwriter, a novelist, and the director of four movies in which he starred. He made his movie debut in 1967 in the celebrated crime drama, “Bonnie and Clyde.” He had haunted blue eyes and an empathy born of his own history of psychic distress. His rule for comedy was simple: Don’t try to make it funny; try to make it real. “I’m an actor, not a clown,” he said more than once. In 1971, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance as the wizardly title character in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. This episode’s dead celebrity is Gene Wilder. 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 Stephanie Okupniak. 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 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini) and Episode 35 “Likable Villain” (Alan Rickman) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Gene Wilder Pure Imagination scene in ‘Willy Wonka’ sung by Gene Wilder ‘Will and Grace’ blooper scene with Gene Wilder Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, July 12, 2023
Secret Chord (Leonard Cohen)
This person died in 2016 at age 82. He was an unlikely and reluctant pop star, if in fact he ever was one. In the 1960s, he lived in a house on the Greek island of Hydra, where he wrote a pair of novels. He was 33 when his first record was released in 1967. In the early 1970s, his record company concocted an advertising campaign where they called him “the master of erotic despair.” Around 1994, he abandoned his music career and moved to Mt Baldy monastery, where he was ordained a Buddhist monk. His best-known song, a majestic and meditative ballad which has been endlessly covered, is called “Hallelujah”. Today’s dead celebrity is Leonard Cohen. 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 Christian Swain. 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 45 “Rebel Rebel” (David Bowie) and Episode 29 “Zen Comedian” (Garry Shandling). LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Leonard Cohen Leonard Cohen’s 75th birthday concert in Barcelona Kate McKinnon sings “Hallelujah” on SNL after Leonard Cohen’s death Susan Cain article on Leonard Cohen’s music Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast on Hallelujah Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_b
Wed, June 28, 2023
Heartwarming Humor (Louie Anderson)
This person died in 2022 at age 68. His act fit comfortably into the category of “family entertainment.” He had a self-deprecating style that won him legions of fans, among them Johnny Carson, whose early support catapulted him to stardom. He had roles in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Coming to America”. He hosted “ Family Feud ” for three seasons. He was nominated 3 times for a supporting actor Emmy, which he won in 2016. His comedy routine often centered around jokes about his own weight, which topped 300 pounds at times. Today’s dead celebrity is Louie Anderson. 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 46 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) and Episode 39 “Super Funkhouser” (Bob Einstein) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
S1 E53 · Wed, June 28, 2023
Heartwarming Humor
This person died in 2022 at age 68. His act fit comfortably into the category of “family entertainment.” He had a self-deprecating style that won him legions of fans, among them Johnny Carson, whose early support catapulted him to stardom. He had roles in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Coming to America”. He hosted “Family Feud” for three seasons. He was nominated 3 times for a supporting actor Emmy, which he won in 2016. His comedy routine often centered around jokes about his own weight, which topped 300 pounds at times. Today’s dead celebrity is Louie Anderson. Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Sign up for our newsletter at famousandgravy.com for news and updates on the show. Also, enjoy our mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 46 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) and Episode 39 “Super Funkhouser” (Bob Einstein). Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Louie Anderson Famous & Gravy official website Famous & Gravy on Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn Sound Judgement podcast and newsletter 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 HPB.com Dead or Alive Quiz Game
Wed, June 14, 2023
Electric Vanities (Tom Wolfe)
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 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 41 “Viva Bojangles” (Jerry Jeff Walker) and Episode 23 “Book Rancher” (Larry McMurtry) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California
Wed, May 31, 2023
Goofball Stud (Bill Paxton)
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. 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 46 “Love and OJ Jokes” (Norm Macdonald) and Episode 44 “Inner Soprano” (James Gandolfini). LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https:/
Wed, May 17, 2023
Golden Rose (Betty White original)
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: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.co
Wed, May 03, 2023
Hammer Time (Hank Aaron)
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. 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 31 “The Greatest” (Muhammad Ali) and Episode 33 “October Errorr” (Bill Buckner) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and
Wed, April 19, 2023
What About Bob (Bob Dole)
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. 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 20 “Notorious Dissenter” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) and Episode 7 “Wiry Gadfly” (Ross Perot) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy a
Wed, April 05, 2023
Proud Mary (Mary Tyler Moore)
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. 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 38 “A Lovely Lady” (Florence Henderson) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="
Wed, March 22, 2023
Love and OJ Jokes (Norm Macdonald original)
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. 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 39 “Super Funkhouser” (Bob Einstein) and Episode 29 “Zen Comedian” (Garry Shandling) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/famous-and-gravy/" rel=
Wed, March 08, 2023
Rebel Rebel (David Bowie original)
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. 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 32 “Hot Stuff” (Donna Summer) and Episode 13 “Stubbled Pop Star” (George Michael) LINKS: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/famo
Wed, February 22, 2023
Inner Soprano (James Gandolfini)
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: Transcript of this episode 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 Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/famousandgravy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_b
Wed, February 08, 2023
Poetic Justice (Maya Angelou original)
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. 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 31 “The Greatest” (Muhammad Ali) and Episode 26 “Wild Thing” (Maurice Sendak) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Maya Angelou Maya Angelou memorial page on Wake Forest University site Maya Angelou’s poem at the 1993 inauguration Tracy Morgan’s impersonation of Angelou’s Hallmark Cards on SNL Maya Angelou for Froot Loops on SNL performed by David Alan Grier Maya Angelou’s Life in Photos in the New Yorker “And I Still Rise” Documentary on Maya Angelou Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official
Wed, January 25, 2023
Game Changer (John Madden)
This person died in 2021 at age 85. He had an irrepressible way, and a distinctive voice. Fox snagged him in the mid-1990s to establish credibility. Before broadcasting, he was a lineman for Philadelphia and then a coach for the Raiders, leading them to their first Super Bowl victory in 1977. His Electronic Arts video game evolved into a cultural phenomenon. His influence, steeped in everyman sensibilities, made the NFL more interesting, more relevant and more fun for over 40 years. Today’s dead celebrity is John Madden. 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 31 “The Greatest” (Muhammad Ali) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for John Madden John Madden page on NFL Hall of Fame website “The Genius of John Madden” from The Ringer Frank Caliendo impression of John Madden An exclusive tour inside the Madden Cruiser Chuck Klostermann article in GQ about future of football John Madden’s chair at Chuy’s in Van Horn, TX John Madden once met Nelson Mandela Residents of the Dakota Building in NYC Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , <a href="ht
Wed, January 11, 2023
Viva Bojangles (Jerry Jeff Walker)
This person died in 2020 at age 78. He grew up in Oneonta, New York. He began his career in the 1960s, hitchhiking and busking around the country before establishing himself in Greenwich Village. In 1971, he took his struggling friend Jimmy Buffett to Key West for the first time. Mainstream radio programmers didn’t play his music, perhaps because of his gruff, braying singing voice and his reputation for being intoxicated onstage. He became a mainstay of the Texas Outlaw movement that catapulted Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to fame, years after his best known composition, “Mr. Bojangles”. Today’s dead celebrity is Jerry Jeff Walker. 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 19 “Singing Mailman” (John Prine) and Episode 23 “Book Rancher” (Larry McMurtry) Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Jerry Jeff Walker Jerry Jeff Walker official website “ OK Buckaroos” documentary trailer Jerry Jeff performs on Austin City Limits in 1976 Homer Simpson sings Mr. Bojangles “Jerry Jeff Walker, Remembered By…” in Texas Monthly “The Long, Lonesome Roads of Jerry Jeff Walker” in The New Yorker Django Walker official website Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , <a href="https://twitter.com/famousandgravy" rel="noop
Wed, December 28, 2022
Eve's Dropper (Dick Clark)
This person died 2012 at age 82. He was among the most recognizable faces in the world. He built an entertainment empire, which expanded into game shows, awards shows, comedy specials, talk shows, children’s programming, reality programming, and movies. His signature show had remarkable longevity and became a cultural touchstone for the baby-boomer generation. He was the perpetually youthful-looking television host of “American Bandstand” and “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”. Today’s dead celebrity is Dick Clark. 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 16 “Quintessential Quizmaster” (Alex Trebek) and Episode 10 “Countdown King” (Casey Kasem) Transcript of this episode New Year’s Rockin’ Eve December 31, 1999 (millennium) New Year’s Rockin’ Eve December 31, 2001 (post 9/11) Dick Clark interviews Prince on American Bandstand David Spade as Dick Clark’s receptionis t on SNL SNL spoof of $25,000 pyramid From Rock to Disco to Hip Hop with Dick Clark article from Slate “Dick Clark: Eternally Light” article from The New Yorker Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer"
Wed, December 14, 2022
Super Funkhouser (Bob Einstein original)
This person died in 2019 at 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. He starred as Larry Middleman in “Arrested Development” and as Larry David’s frenemy, Marty Funkhouser, in “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Today’s dead celebrity is Bob Einstein. 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 29 “Zen Comedian” (Garry Shandling) and Episode 11 “Stiletto Comic” (Joan Rivers) LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Bob Einstein Super Dave Osborne King of the Road video Super Dave Bungee Jump video Scene in Modern Romance with Bob Einstein and Albert Brooks “Super Dave, In Memoriam” article in The Yorker “Mourning Marty Funkhouser” article in The Ringer Bob Einstein Official Website The Super Bob Einstein Movie HBO Documentary Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , <a href="https://twitter.c
Wed, November 30, 2022
A Lovely Lady (Florence Henderson)
This person died 2016 at age 82. She starred in “Fanny” on Broadway in the mid-1950s, and did national tours of “Oklahoma!” and “The Sound of Music”. In 1966, she was one of the first women to guest host “The Tonight Show”. She surprisingly appeared in Bobcat Goldthwait’s offbeat comedy “Shakes the Clown”, in which she played an unnamed woman who has a one-night stand with the title character. She starred in an upbeat, globally syndicated TV comedy as Carol Brady, a woman with three daughters who marries a widower who has three sons, collectively known as “The Brady Bunch”. Today’s dead celebrity is Florence Henderson. 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 Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Florence Henderson Profile on Florence Henderson from CBS News Q Scores explained by the Washington Post 14 Best TV Moms from Parade Magazine Shakes the Clown opening scene starring Florence Henderson Video for Weird Al’s “Amish Paradise” Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, November 16, 2022
Just a Friend (Biz Markie)
This person died 2021 at age 57. He appeared regularly on the Nickelodeon show “Yo Gabba Gabba”. He collaborated with artists such as the Beastie Boys and Will Smith, and appeared in the movie “Men in Black II”, in which he played an alien disguised as a postal worker who communicates via beatboxing. He was known as the “clown prince of hip-hop” for his playful style and joyous charm, and his most renowned song is the hit singalong “Just a Friend”. Today’s dead celebrity is Marcel Theo Hall, better known as Biz Markie. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Biz Markie “Just A Friend” official video “Vapors” official video Men In Black II scene featuring Will Smith and Biz Markie Biz;s Beat of the Day on Yo Gabba Gabba! “20 Years Ago Biz Markie Got the Last Laugh” from NPR “Hip Hop Wouldn’t Be the Same Without Biz Markie” article in MIC magazine “Farewell Biz Markie...” article from Rolling Stone Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" t
Wed, November 09, 2022
Singing Mailman (John Prine)
This person died in 2020 at age 73. He was a relative unknown in 1970 when Kris Kristofferson first heard him play one night at a Chicago club. Roger Ebert, the film critic, wrote an early review of him with the headline “Singing Mailman Who Delivers a Powerful Message in a Few Words.” He won a Grammy for best new artist in 1972, and again in 2020 for Lifetime Achievement. Today’s dead celebrity is John Prine. This episode originally published May 4, 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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for John Prine John Prine official website ‘John Prine’s Perfect Songs’ in the New Yorker ‘John Prine Isn’t Counting the Time’ from The Ringer Video for ‘When I Get to Heaven’ Kacey Musgraves sings “Burn One with John Prine ” live Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, November 02, 2022
Likable Villain (Alan Rickman original)
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. He had a starring role in the iconic 2003 film “Love Actually”, and more recently, played the notorious professor Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” series. Today’s dead celebrity is Alan Rickman. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times obituary for Alan Rickman Emma Thompson tribute to Alan Rickman Kevin Smith tribute to Alan Rickman Hans Gruber fall in Die Hard Alan Rickman’s voicemail bit on Family Guy Alan Rickman takes Jimmy Fallon to task Alan Rickman behind the scenes of Harry Potter as Snape Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener nore
Sun, October 30, 2022
Zombie Mastermind (George Romero)
This person died in 2017 at age 77. One of his early commercial films was a segment for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood . His first movie was made for $100K and was released when racial tensions were high in the United States. Of his creations, he said “they are multipurpose, you can’t really get angry at them, they have no hidden agendas, they are what they are. I sympathize with them.” He was a horror visionary who created the modern zombie genre with his 1968 cult film, “Night of the Living Dead”. Today’s dead celebrity is George Romero. 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 Drew Tinnen. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com Links: Transcript of this episode New York Times obituary for George Romero Drew Tinnen article about Romero on the set of Night of the Living Dead Drew Tinnen article about Romero’s Knightriders The American Nightmare documentary Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, October 19, 2022
October Error (Bill Buckner)
This person died in 2019 at age 69. His father died when he was a teenager, and his mother was a stenographer for the California Highway Patrol. During his two decades in the major leagues, he amassed 2,715 hits, won a batting title, and twice led the league in doubles. When he retired, he moved with his family to a ranch in Meridian, Idaho. His long, solid career was overshadowed by a crushing error that possibly cost the Boston Red Sox Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets, further perpetuating “The Curse of The Bambino”. Today’s dead celebrity is Bill Buckner. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times obituary for Bill Buckner Clip of the 1986 error Bill Buckner attempting to catch Hank Aaron’s 715th home run Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 8 Episode 9 clip with Bill Buckner guest appearance The “Buckner Bridge” in Massachusetts ESPN’s “Bill Buckner Behind The Bag” featuring Judy Buckner TIME Magazine’s “Bill Buckner Forgave Boston” article “Saying Goodbye to the Bill Buckner Myths” from The New Yorker Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website
Wed, October 05, 2022
Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
This person died in 2012 at age 63. She grew up singing in church and decided in her teens to make music her career. In the late 1960s she joined the Munich company of the rock musical “Hair” and relocated to Germany. Her voice sailed over dance floors and leapt from radios from the mid-’70s well into the ’80s. Her music was a template for 1970s disco. Her hits include “Hot Stuff”, “Bad Girls”, and “She Works Hard for the Money”. Today’s dead celebrity is Donna Summer. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times obituary for Donna Summer Donna Summer on Fresh Air A&E Biography on Donna Summer Donna Summer on the Arsenio Hall Show Homer Simpson’s ‘I Work Hard For the Money’ Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, September 21, 2022
The Greatest (Muhammad Ali)
This person died in 2016 at age 74. He had an agile mind, a buoyant personality, and a brash self-confidence. He was politically and socially idiosyncratic. He was never taught to read properly; years later he confided that he had never read a book, including the ones on which he collaborated. He had Parkinson’s disease for more than 30 years. He was the most thrilling if not the best heavyweight ever, with a boxing style that fused speed, agility and power. Today’s dead celebrity is Muhammad Ali. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times obituary for Muhammad Ali i The Simpsons supercut video of all Muhammad Ali references Muhammad Ali lights the Olympic torch at 1996 Atlanta I Am the Greatest 1963 album Wikipedia entry Trailer for Ali Rap documentary Ken Burns’ Muhammad Ali documentary streaming on PBS Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, September 07, 2022
Rain Man Judge (Judge Joseph Wapner)
This person died in 2017 at age 97. He graduated in 1937 from Hollywood High School, where he briefly dated the future film actress Lana Turner. The full measure of his celebrity was not realized until he was 61 years old. He let millions of viewers know that no matter how seemingly insignificant their legal disputes, they, too, were entitled to their day in court. He sat on the bench of the syndicated television show “The People’s Court”. Today’s dead celebrity is Judge Joseph Wapner. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times obituary for Joseph Wapner Carson vs Letterman car case moderated by Wapner Judge Wapner discussing his career as a judge Hollywood High School notable graduates Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, August 24, 2022
Zen Comedian (Garry Shandling)
This person died 2016 at age 66. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Arizona. He began his comedy career as a writer and went on to become one of the most successful stand-up comics of the 1980s. He had frequently substituted for Johnny Carson as the “Tonight Show” host. His HBO show was often cited as a groundbreaking precursor to shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “30 Rock”. He was best known for “The Larry Sanders Show,” a twisted look at life behind the scenes of a late-night talk show. Today’s dead celebrity is Garry Shandling. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Garry Shandling Garry Shandling’s first appearance on The Tonight Show Theme song from the “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” The Tortured Soul of Garry Shandling article from the New Yorker Trailer for Jud Apatow’s documentary “Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling” Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, August 17, 2022
Famous & Gravy Origin Story
Michael and Amit conceived of a game app in 2011, and 10 years later this podcast was born instead. In other words, this is our origin story. Most excitingly, today we’re actually releasing that game app! We present to you Dead or Alive. On this episode, hear people play the game out loud with laughter, surprise, and agony. You can play Dead or Alive free on any mobile device by going to deadoraliveapp.com, no download required. 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 Links: Transcript of this episode Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, August 10, 2022
Mrs. T (Margaret Thatcher)
This person died in 2013 at age 87. She grew up in a flat above a grocery store owned by her father. She believed personal responsibility and hard work were the only ways to achieve national prosperity. Even some of her strongest critics accorded her a grudging respect. She was the first woman to become prime minister of Britain, and was nicknamed The Iron Lady. Today’s dead celebrity is Margaret Thatcher. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Margaret Thatcher Elle Magazine article on Thatcher’s depiction in “The Crown” Ian Rubbish page on SNL Website Highlights from Margaret Thatcher speeches curated by the WSJ Margaret Thatcher Pop Songs list from The New Yorker Film trailer for “The Iron Lady’ starring Meryl Streep Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, July 27, 2022
Wild Thing (Maurice Sendak)
This person died in 2012 at age 83. As he grew up – working class, Jewish, gay — he felt shunted to the margins. His books’ characters were described as headstrong and sometimes obnoxious. A lesser known aspect of his career was as a renowned designer of theatrical sets. In 1963 he published the children’s picture book sensation “Where the Wild Things Are”. Today’s dead celebrity is Maurice Sendak. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times obituary for Maurice Sendak Stephen Colbert interviews Maurice Sendak Maurice Sendak on Fresh Air Film trailer for Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, July 20, 2022
Best of Coffee Cocktail Cannabis
Today we celebrate our 25th episode by spotlighting a fan-favorite category: Coffee, Cocktail or Cannabis. In this category, we ask which one of these three substances would you most want to do with the featured dead celebrity? It can either be to provide access to some aspect you are curious about, or which sounds like the most fun. All clips are from actual episodes of Famous & Gravy, which means all featured celebrities have died within the last 10 years, and each has a full episode dedicated to a different perspective biography about them. There are 24 full episodes of Famous & Gravy that precede this special, so go back and listen if you like what you hear. Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. You are free to speculate which substance you would choose to do with either of the hosts. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. LINKS: Transcript of this episode Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, July 13, 2022
Dazzling Dribbler (Curly Neal)
This person died in 2020 at age 77. He began shaving his head at age 12, long before he got his nickname. He was a standout college basketball player at Johnson C Smith University in North Carolina, and an eventual inductee into the National Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2008, his number 22 jersey was retired in a ceremony at Madison Square Garden as the Harlem Globetrotters’ ball-handling sensation. Today’s dead celebrity is Fred “Curly” Neal. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Curly Neal How Curly Neal Changed the Game of Basketball tribute video Curly Neal Legends’ page on official Globetrotters Site Trailer for Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island Krusty the Clown bets against the Globetrotters Spud Webb wins the 1986 slam dunk contest Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, June 29, 2022
Book Rancher (Larry McMurtry)
This person died in 2021 at age 84. He was friends with Ken Kesey and made a memorable appearance in “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.” His son is a well-regarded singer and songwriter. He had a private library that held some 30,000 books and filled three houses. He wrote more than 30 screenplays, including for “Brokeback Mountain.” He found his greatest commercial and critical success with “Lonesome Dove.” Today’s dead celebrity is Larry McMurtry. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode “The Larry McMurtry I Knew” in Texas Monthly Larry McMurtry live interview from 2014 Official website of Archer City, Texas Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, June 15, 2022
Hungarian Socialite (Zsa Zsa Gabor original)
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. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Zsa Zsa Gabor Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, June 01, 2022
Florida Man (Tom Petty)
This person died in 2017 at age 66. There was a scrappy defiance in his career choices. He melded California rock with a deep Southern heritage to produce a long string of durable hits. He played the Super Bowl halftime show in 2008. His songs were staples of rock radio for decades, with hits like “Refugee”, “Free Fallin”, and “Into the Great Wide Open”. Today’s dead celebrity is Tom Petty. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Tom Petty Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, May 18, 2022
Notorious Dissenter (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
This person died in 2020 at age 87. She once said her writing style was partly inspired by Vladimir Nabokov, who she studied literature under at Cornell. In the mid 2010s, she became an internet sensation. She was barely five feet tall and weighed around 100 pounds. She was the second woman to serve on the Supreme court and a pioneering advocate for women's rights. Today’s dead celebrity is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, May 04, 2022
Singing Mailman (John Prine original)
This person died in 2020 at age 73. He was a relative unknown in 1970 when Kris Kristofferson first heard him play one night at a Chicago club. Roger Ebert, the film critic, wrote an early review of him with the headline “Singing Mailman Who Delivers a Powerful Message in a Few Words.” He won a Grammy for best new artist in 1972, and again in 2020 for Lifetime Achievement. Today’s dead celebrity is John Prine. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for John Prine John Prine official website ‘John Prine’s Perfect Songs’ in the New Yorker ‘John Prine Isn’t Counting the Time’ from The Ringer Video for ‘When I Get to Heaven’ Kacey Musgraves sings “Burn One with John Prine ” live Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, April 20, 2022
Darling's Critic (Roger Ebert)
The person died in 2013 at age 70. The force and grace of his opinions propelled him into the mainstream of American culture. He went on two dates with Oprah Winfrey. In 1975 he became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize. He had multiple operations for cancer and eventually lost his ability to eat, drink and speak. His thumbs-up-or-down approach drew scorn from some critics, who said it trivialized film criticism. Today’s dead celebrity is Roger Ebert. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Roger Ebert Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, April 13, 2022
Modest Moonwalker (Neil Armstrong)
This person died in 2012 at age 82. His most famous moment lasted 2 hours and 19 minutes. He was a quiet, private man, and at heart an engineer. He was part of a mission that capped a tumultuous and consequential decade. On July 20th, 1969, he said “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Today’s dead celebrity is Neil Armstrong. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Neil Armstrong Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, April 06, 2022
Quintessential Quizmaster (Alex Trebek)
This person died in 2020 at age 80. He won six Emmys and a lifetime achievement award. He ran a leg of the Olympic torch relay in advance of the 1996 Games in Atlanta. He was an authoritative and unflappable fixture for millions of Americans. He had impeccable diction, and had a friendly rivalry with Pat Sajak. He hosted “Jeopardy!” for a record-setting 37 years. Today’s dead celebrity is Alex Trebek. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Alex Trebek Washington Post Obituary for Alex Trebek Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 30, 2022
Cocaine Soccer God (Diego Maradona)
This person died in 2020 at age 60. FIFA, soccer’s governing body, voted him and Pelé the sport’s two greatest players of the century. He led Argentina to win a legendary World Cup in 1986, scoring one of history’s most controversial goals and one of its most celebrated in the span of four minutes during a quarterfinals match. His ability to surprise and startle developed a darker edge as he became addicted to cocaine. After he retired from playing soccer, his thick musculature bloated into unhealthy corpulence. Today’s dead celebrity is Diego Maradona. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Diego Maradona Video of Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal from 1986 World Cup Quarterfinals Maradona’s “Goal of the Century ” in the same game “The Two Sides of Diego Maradona” article from The Ringer Trailer for HBO’s “Diego Maradona” documentary on IMDB List of 6 Great Films & TV Series about Diego Maradona Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 23, 2022
Dimpled Ambassador (Shirley Temple original)
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. 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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Shirley Temple Black Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 16, 2022
Stubbled Pop Star (George Michael)
This person died in 2016 at age 53. He was a handsome, smiling teen-pop idol making lighthearted singles like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” then arriving as a grown-up pop sex symbol with his 1987 album “Faith.” He was the most-played performer on British radio from 1984 to 2004. In 1998 he came out as gay. Today’s dead celebrity is George Michael. 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 LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for George Michael Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 09, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Nelson Mandela Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, March 02, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Joan Rivers Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, February 23, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Casey Kasem Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, February 16, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Kenny Rogers Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, February 09, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Peter Fonda Famous & Gravy official website Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, February 02, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for H Ross Perot Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, January 26, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Yogi Berra Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, January 19, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Roger Moore Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, January 12, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Gene Okerlund Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, January 05, 2022
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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Leonard Nimoy Leonard Nimoy sings Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, December 29, 2021
Mother's Premonition (Vidal Sassoon)
This person died in 2012 at age 84. He was part of a group that fought fascists on the streets of London in the years following World War II. When he was young, his mother had a premonition that he would become a hairdresser. He was known for fashioning his clients’ hair into geometric shapes and sharp angles to complement their facial bone structure. He became a business pioneer, creating a line of hair products under his name. Today's dead celebrity is Vidal Sassoon. 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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary of Vidal Sassoon Two Sassoons article in The New Yorker New York Times Obituary for Vidal Sassoon Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Wed, December 29, 2021
Unapologetic Opulence (Robin Leach)
This person died in 2018 at age 76. He sold children’s shoes briefly at Lord & Taylor in New York before getting a job with The Daily News. He was widely recognized and just as widely parodied. He had a distinctive, British-accented voice and exuberant, exclamation-point delivery. He was a symbol of unapologetic opulence. For over 12 years, he profiled the lives of the wealthy as host and creator of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Today's dead celebrity is Robin Leach. 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.com LINKS: Transcript of this episode New York TimesT Obituary of Robin Leach Dana Carvey playing Robin Leach on SNL An episode from 1985 of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Dead or Alive quiz game Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Famous & Gravy official website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Trailer · Sat, December 18, 2021
Famous & Gravy Trailer
Famous & Gravy Trailer: Biographies from a different point of view.. Visit our website at famousandgravy.com and also enjoy our free mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com LINKS: Famous & Gravy official website Famous & Gravy on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter Dead or Alive Quiz Game See 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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