This person died 2022, age 96. She worked to be a rare bastion of permanence in a world of shifting values. During the Covid pandemic, she said, “Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe,” and, “I am certain that we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.” Her institution was forced to justify its existence in the face of often skeptical public attention and scrutiny. In 2017 she celebrated her 70th anniversary to her husband, whom she first met when she was just a teenager. She was Britain’s longest serving monarch. Today’s dead celebrity is Queen Elizabeth II.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 31 The Greatest (Muhammad Ali) and Episode 93 American Royalty (Elizabeth Taylor).Transcript of this episodeNYT Article on the Queen and Corgi lineageNew Yorker Review of The Crown endingDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteFamous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Allie Arrazola and Evan Sherer, and features guest co-host Sara Murphy.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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1:05:00
Raspy Maniac (Randy Savage)
This person died in 2011, age 58. His colleagues said he had charisma and a knack for spontaneity. In the mid-1970s, he played minor-league baseball for about four years in the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds organizations. He acted in the 2002 movie “Spider-Man,” appeared on sitcoms like “Mad About You,” and lent his scratchy baritone to video games and cartoons, including “Family Guy” and “King of the Hill.” He would wear brightly colored cowboy hats and outfits dripping with fringe. He would strut into the wrestling ring to his theme song “Pomp and Circumstance,” muscles gleaming and neon spandex shining, growling his signature expression, “Oooh, yeah!” before diving at his opponents, elbows first. Today’s dead celebrity is Randy Savage.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 092 Acerbic Comedian (George Carlin), Episode 100 Divine Neighbor (Fred Rogers), and Episode 049 Hammer Time (Hank Aaron).Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Evan Sharer, and features guest co-host Steve Prata.LINKS:Transcript of this episodeJon Finkel’s biography of Randy SavageRandy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat, WrestleMania III Macho Man Slim Jim commercials compilationDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:00:02
Indecent Exposure (Jerry Springer)
This person died 2023, age 79. He earned a law degree from Northwestern University in 1968 and started on a political career. In the 1980s he won or shared multiple Emmy Awards for local news coverage. In 1974 he was embroiled in a personal scandal after he was found to have written a check for prostitution services at a Kentucky massage parlor. He was elected mayor of Cincinnati in 1977, and in 1982 he ran for governor of Ohio. His syndicated daytime talk show began in 1991. Today’s dead celebrity is Jerry Springer.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 91 Studio Insider (James Lipton) and Episode1 Unapologetic Opulence (Robin Leach). 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 Dahlenberg.LINKS:Transcript of this episodeJerry Springer’s 25th Anniversary Final ThoughtJerry Springer’s story on This American LifeBest of Jerry Springer Compilation 1Dr. Evil and Scott go on Jerry Springer in Austin Powers 2Dead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:05:46
Community Gardener (Penny Marshall)
This person died in 2018, age 75. She had a self-effacing personality, which colleagues and interviewers often commented on. She was the first woman to direct a feature film that grossed more than $100 million. She also directed “Awakenings” (1990), a medical drama starring Robert De Niro. She got into directing the ‘easy’ way — by becoming a television superstar first. In 1971 she married Rob Reiner, who was then a star of the hit TV series “All in the Family.” She played Laverne on Laverne and Shirley. Today’s dead celebrity is Penny Marshall.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 68 Sentient Princess (Carrie Fisher) 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 Michelle Dahlenberg.LINKS:Transcript of this episodePenny in conversation on stage with brother Garry MarshallPenny on The Rosie O’Donnell Show in 1999Fred Armisen Penny Marshall impersonationDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:01:06
Maverick Lawman (James Garner)
This person died 2014 age 86. In high school he played football and basketball. In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, he was drafted. An understated comic actor, he was especially adept at conveying life’s tiny bedevilments. He was a genuine star but as an actor something of a paradox: a lantern-jawed, brawny athlete whose physical appeal was both enhanced and undercut by a disarming wit. He came to acting late, and by accident. He was best known as the amiable gambler Bret Maverick in the 1950s western “Maverick.” Today’s dead celebrity is James Garner.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 84 Vocal Bedrock (Johnny Cash) and Episode 62 Lord of Horror (Christopher Lee).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 episodeJames Garner on Charlie RoseGarner on why he quit Maverick and Rockford filesJames Garner interviewed by Tom Snyder on the Late Late ShowDead or Alive quiz gameFamous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, ThreadsFamous & Gravy official websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We explore the lives of notable people who’ve just died—celebrities, icons, cultural figures—and asks what their stories can teach us about ourselves. It’s part obituary podcast, part biography, and part existential detective work.Think you know everything about some of modern history’s most recognizable figures? We’re Amit and Michael, two pop culture enthusiasts who upend your assumptions about the iconic and the famous. Because that’s where you find the “gravy” – the rich, flavorful sauce that brings out the best parts of the dish that is life.Each episode we’ll put the lives of recently deceased celebrities under the microscope to consider the not-so-obvious ways these icons of culture left their impact and imprint on modern history. It’s a hilarious and fresh perspective on the celebrities you thought you knew.Listen to episodes of Famous & Gravy early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/famous-and-gravy/ now.