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.

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Jon Finkel’s biography of Randy Savage

Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat, WrestleMania III

Macho Man Slim Jim commercials compilation

Dead or Alive quiz game

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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.

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Jerry Springer’s 25th Anniversary Final Thought

Jerry Springer’s story on This American Life

Best of Jerry Springer Compilation 1

Dr. Evil and Scott go on Jerry Springer in Austin Powers 2

Dead or Alive quiz game

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Famous & Gravy official website

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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.

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Penny in conversation on stage with brother Garry Marshall

Penny on The Rosie O’Donnell Show in 1999

Fred Armisen Penny Marshall impersonation

Dead or Alive quiz game

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads

Famous & Gravy official website

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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.

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James Garner on Charlie Rose

Garner on why he quit Maverick and Rockford files

James Garner interviewed by Tom Snyder on the Late Late Show

Dead or Alive quiz game

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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Famous & Gravy official website

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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.

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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

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Famous & Gravy official website

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