Last Days

Last Days

Last Days explores the final days of some of the biggest icons in sports and entertainment, breaking down precisely what led to the passing of figures who were larger than life but somehow even bigger in death. Derek Kaufman and Jason Beckerman debunk the myths, unpack the tragedies, and tell the real stories behind the most fascinating celebrity deaths.

Episodes

February 23, 2026 20 mins
On February 15, 2026, Robert Duvall — the Oscar-winning American actor and filmmaker whose seven-decade career included landmark performances as Tom Hagen in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, and the deeply human lead in Tender Mercies — died peacefully at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, at the age of 95, leaving behind a towering legacy of versa...
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On February 19, 2026, Eric Dane — the charismatic actor whose striking presence and emotional depth made him a fan favorite on television — died at 53 following a courageous battle with ALS. Best known for his roles as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria, Dane built a career defined by complex performances that blended confidence, vulnerability, and intensity, earning him a lasting place in ...
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February 16, 2026 24 mins
On November 24, 1991, Freddie Mercury — the electrifying frontman of Queen whose operatic voice and theatrical brilliance redefined rock stardom — died at the age of 45 from complications related to AIDS, just one day after publicly confirming his diagnosis. With towering anthems like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, Somebody to Love, and We Will Rock You, Mercury helped transform Queen into one of the most innovative and g...
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February 12, 2026 10 mins
In this Look Back episode of Last Days, we revisit the life and final moments of Aaliyah, the groundbreaking R&B singer whose tragic plane crash shocked the world and left a lasting impact on music that still resonates today. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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February 11, 2026 15 mins
On February 11, 2026, James Van Der Beek — the actor whose emotional vulnerability helped define a generation of teen television — died at the age of 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer. Rising to fame as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek became the earnest, introspective face of late-1990s youth culture, anchoring a series that reshaped the teen drama with its sincerity, ambition, and unapologetic heart. He carried...
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February 9, 2026 23 mins
On August 9, 1969, Sharon Tate — the luminous young actress and rising star of Hollywood’s new generation — was brutally murdered at the age of 26 in one of the most shocking crimes in American history. A symbol of 1960s glamour and promise, Tate embodied a fresh, modern screen presence: playful, stylish, and effortlessly charismatic. From her breakout performance in Valley of the Dolls to memorable roles in Eye of the Devil and Th...
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February 5, 2026 11 mins
In this Look Back episode of Last Days, we revisit the life and final years of David Carradine, a legendary actor whose unexpected death fueled rumors and unanswered questions that still linger today. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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February 2, 2026 25 mins
On November 7, 1980, Steve McQueen — the massive movie star whose minimalist swagger earned him the nickname “The King of Cool” — died at the age of 50 following complications from cancer surgery. A countercultural icon who bridged old Hollywood and the rebellious New Hollywood era, McQueen embodied a new kind of leading man: taciturn, restless, and unmistakably modern. From his breakout role in The Magnificent Seven to era-definin...
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January 30, 2026 15 mins
On January 30, 2026, Catherine O’Hara — the singular comedic force whose fearless character work helped redefine modern comedy — died at the age of 71. A performer of extraordinary precision and range, O’Hara built a career not on punchlines but on total commitment, transforming eccentricity into emotional truth. From her groundbreaking work on SCTV to her unforgettable turns as the frantic matriarch in Home Alone, the pretentious ...
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January 29, 2026 10 mins
In this Look Back episode of Last Days, we revisit the life and final years of Paul Walker. A global superstar whose sudden death sparked widespread assumptions that still obscure what really happened. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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January 25, 2026 22 mins
On October 31, 1926, Harry Houdini — the world-famous escape artist and illusionist whose death-defying feats made him one of the first global superstars of modern entertainment — passed away at the age of 52. Born Erik Weisz to a poor immigrant family, Houdini rose from carnivals and dime museums to international fame through relentless discipline, physical endurance, and an obsession with mastering the impossible. He stunned audi...
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January 22, 2026 10 mins
In this Look Back episode of Last Days, we revisit the life and final years of Amy Winehouse. A once-in-a-generation talent whose voice and songwriting reshaped modern soul. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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January 19, 2026 23 mins
On October 5, 2004, Rodney Dangerfield — the legendary comedian whose trademark line “I don’t get no respect” became one of the most iconic catchphrases in entertainment history — passed away at the age of 82. Rising from years of struggle in comedy clubs and working odd jobs, Dangerfield broke through with a relentless, self-deprecating style that reshaped stand-up comedy and influenced generations of comics. He became a household...
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January 12, 2026 22 mins
On May 18, 2017, Chris Cornell — the iconic singer, songwriter, and one of the most powerful voices in rock history — passed away at the age of 52. Rising to prominence as the frontman of Soundgarden, Cornell helped define the Seattle grunge movement of the late 1980s and 1990s with his soaring vocal range and emotionally raw songwriting. He later expanded his legacy with Audioslave and Temple of the Dog, while also building a deep...
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January 5, 2026 25 mins
As we celebrate the New Year, Derek and Jason take the opportunity to reflect on some of the most memorable celebrities we didn't have a chance to cover on the podcast, focusing on their extraordinary lives and legacies. Hosts: Jason Beckerman, Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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December 29, 2025 27 mins
As 2025 comes to a close, Derek and Jason take a look back at the most famous and influential celebrities we lost this year, and explore what made their lives and careers so memorable, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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December 22, 2025 21 mins
On April 5, 2002, Layne Staley — the hauntingly gifted frontman of Alice in Chains whose voice carried the ache, rage, and beauty of an entire generation — died alone in his Seattle apartment at the age of 34, closing the final chapter on one of rock music’s most tortured and transcendent lives. From the moment Alice in Chains emerged out of the Pacific Northwest in the late 1980s, Staley’s raw, wounded harmonies and unflinching vu...
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December 15, 2025 27 mins
On December 14, 2025, Rob Reiner — the groundbreaking actor-turned-director whose blend of humor, heart, and moral clarity helped shape the landscape of modern American film — was murdered along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles home, bringing a tragic end to one of Hollywood’s most enduring creative and personal partnerships. From his Emmy-winning turn as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family to h...
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December 15, 2025 22 mins
On August 13, 1995, Mickey Mantle — the legendary New York Yankees center fielder who defined power, speed, and switch-hitting excellence in baseball — died at the age of 63 after a battle with liver cancer. Celebrated for his rare combination of strength and athleticism, Mantle revolutionized the game with towering home runs, blazing speed, and a fearless style of play that thrived on the sport’s biggest stages. A three-time MVP a...
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December 8, 2025 22 mins
On October 6, 2020, Eddie Van Halen — the revolutionary guitarist who reshaped the sound and possibilities of rock music — died at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer. Celebrated for his explosive tapping technique, innovative tone engineering, and fearless musical curiosity, Van Halen transformed guitar playing into a new art form with a style that blended virtuosity, rhythm, and pure adrenaline. His work on albums like ...
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