On November 3, 2025, Dick Cheney — the former Vice President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, and one of the most powerful and polarizing figures in American political history — died at the age of 84 at his home in Wyoming. Cheney was a dominant force in Washington for more than four decades, shaping U.S. policy through intellect, discipline, and an unyielding belief in American power. Though his life was marked by controversy — from his central role in the Iraq War to the expansion of executive authority after 9/11 — Cheney’s influence on the modern presidency and national security apparatus remains unparalleled in American history.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman, Derek Kaufman
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Ep. 139 - Roy Horn
On May 8, 2020, Roy Horn — one half of the legendary Las Vegas magic duo Siegfried & Roy — passed away at the age of 75. Horn, alongside Siegfried Fischbacher, revolutionized live entertainment with their groundbreaking blend of illusion, spectacle, and their signature white tigers and lions, becoming synonymous with the glitz and grandeur of the Vegas Strip. Their partnership began in Europe and grew into a decades-long phenomenon at The Mirage, where their show became one of the most successful in history. Horn’s life changed forever in 2003 when he was critically injured onstage by a tiger, effectively ending the act but cementing the duo’s place in entertainment lore. By the time of his passing, Roy Horn was remembered not only as a master illusionist but as a man whose bond with animals and commitment to wonder left a permanent mark on show business.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Ep. 138 - Muhammad Ali
On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali — the three-time heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, civil rights activist, and one of the most transformative figures in sports and culture — passed away at the age of 74. Ali first rose to prominence after stunning the world with his upset victory over Sonny Liston in 1964, and shortly thereafter changed his name to Muhammad Ali, declaring allegiance to his Muslim faith. In the ring, he was poetry in motion — a heavyweight who could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” — defeating legends like Joe Frazier and George. Outside the ring, his refusal to fight in Vietnam and his lifelong advocacy for justice, dignity, and peace made him a hero to. By the time of his passing, Ali was no longer just “The Greatest” in boxing — he was a citizen of the world, revered for his humanity as much as his athleticism.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Ep. 137 - Jim Croce
On September 20, 1973, Jim Croce — the singer-songwriter whose plainspoken poetry captured the heart of working-class America — died at the age of 30 in a plane crash just as his star was on the rise. With timeless hits like Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, Operator, and Time in a Bottle, Croce helped revive the folk-rock and singer-songwriter tradition that stretched from Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan, blending blue-collar realism with universal emotion. His sudden death, coming only days before the release of I Got a Name, cut short a remarkable rise and left behind a legacy that has endured for generations.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Ep. 136 - Diane Keaton
On October 11, 2025, Diane Keaton — the Oscar-winning actress, director, author, and one of the most singular voices in American cinema — passed away at the age of 79. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Keaton evolved from quirky ingénue to one of Hollywood’s most admired and enduring figures. She first drew notice in The Godfather, but it was her performance in Annie Hall — the role that won her the Academy Award for Best Actress — that cemented her status as a cultural icon. Known for her distinctive style, quick wit, and emotional authenticity, Keaton redefined what it meant to be a leading woman in Hollywood — and in life — inspiring generations of artists and audiences alike
Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman
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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.
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