Last Days

On September 4, 2006, Steve Irwin -- the global sensation best known as "The Crocodile Hunter" from his countless nature shows -- was killed in a freak accident while filming near the Great Barrier Reef. Despite the inherent danger of his profession, the sudden tragedy shocked the world and shattered the lives of his wife and two young children, who have spent the ensuing years carrying on his legacy of conservationism and infectious enthusiasm for wildlife.Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On November 1, 2023, Bobby Knight -- the legendary college basketball coach best known for his trademark red sweater and fiery outbursts -- passed away at the age of 83 after years of declining health. Although lauded by many former players and fellow coaches for his undeniable contributions to the game, his legacy is complicated by his controversial antics off the court.Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Saturday, October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry – who will forever be remembered for his portrayal of Chandler Bing for ten seasons on Friends – drowned in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. Though Perry struggled for decades with drug and alcohol addiction, his legacy endures as one of the most iconic television actors ever, and a man beloved by cast-mates and fans alike. He was 54 years old.Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Stephen “tWitch” Boss - who achieved fame as the DJ for 8 seasons on the Ellen DeGeneres Show – took his own life in a Los Angeles-area motel room. Without a clear explanation for why the man with the million-watt smile and a loving family could choose to end it all, rumors and speculation began to fill the void: Was it financial problems or difficulties at home? Did recent allegations about his time on Ellen push him over the edge? Or did tWitch's internal demons simply become too much for him to bear?Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On October 15, 2023, Suzanne Somers — who delighted audiences in the 70s as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company before reinventing herself as a fitness icon with the ThighMaster in the 90s — passed away at the age of 76 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her friends, family, and adoring fans mourned her passing, but she left behind a legacy of warmth, optimism, and cheerful perseverance that won’t soon be forgotten.Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Naomi Judd is one of the most accomplished country music singers and songwriters in history. But despite her success, she could never overcome the crippling depression and anxiety that, borne from unimaginable childhood trauma, would come to define her adult life and, ultimately, become too much for her to bear.Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On October 1, 2023, Tim Wakefield -- who rode his fluttery knuckleball to a 19-year MLB career -- died from brain cancer at the age of 57. Although he'd been keeping the health battle private, former teammate Curt Schilling revealed the diagnosis on a podcast just days before Wakefield's death. The shock and heartbreak throughout the baseball world upon hearing the sad news of his passing is a testament to Wakefield's legacy both on and off the field.Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 21, 1998, Florence Griffith Joyner -- better known in the sporting world as Flo-Jo -- passed away in her sleep at the age of 38. Just a decade removed from taking home three gold medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics, her sudden death shocked and saddened her family and friends, and she remains a celebrated, albeit controversial, figure in the world of track and field to this day.Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early hours of October 31, 1993, River Phoenix, the talented young actor who gained acclaim for his role in "Stand by Me," died of an overdose of heroin and cocaine while partying at The Viper Room, the famous Sunset Strip club owned by Johnny Depp. Phoenix's demise abruptly ended what had been one of the most promising careers in the entertainment industry, shedding a poignant spotlight on the challenges stemming from his traumatic childhood.Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On March 4, 1994, John Candy -- best known for a slew of hilarious comedies like from Stripes to Uncle Buck -- died at the age of 43 after suffering a massive heart attack in his sleep while filming a movie in Mexico. His loss was felt throughout the entertainment industry, but the comedic legend left behind a rich legacy that won't soon be forgotten.Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices