Last Days

4.5 (230)
TRUE CRIME
UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

4H AGO

Special Episode - Dick Cheney

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 min
1D AGO

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 min
OCT 27

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 min
OCT 20

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 min
OCT 13

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 min
OCT 6

Ep. 135 - Dana Plato

On May 8, 1999, Dana Plato — the child star who captured America’s heart as Kimberly Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes — died at the age of 34 from a fatal overdose in Moore, Oklahoma. Once one of television’s most recognizable young faces, Plato’s life became a haunting symbol of the perils of early fame, marked by addiction, legal troubles, and an unrelenting struggle to reclaim her place in Hollywood. Her death, coming just one day after a rare television appearance in which she spoke about her attempts at sobriety, underscored the deep human cost of child stardom and left fans reflecting on the fragility behind a once-bright smile that had defined a generation of sitcom nostalgia. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 min
SEP 29

Ep. 134 - Owen Hart

On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart — a gifted wrestling star and member of one of sport's most legendary families — died at the age of 34 during a live pay-per-view event as a result of a tragic stunt gone terribly wrong. In a career defined by dazzling athleticism, sharp wit, and a willingness to reinvent himself, Hart carved out an identity that balanced technical mastery with playful showmanship and embodied both the grit of a wrestling traditionalist and the charisma of an entertainer destined for larger stages. His shocking death in the ring remains one of the darkest moments in sports entertainment, a tragedy that reshaped safety standards in the industry and left fans mourning the loss of a performer whose best years still lay ahead. Hosts: Derek Kaufman & Jason Beckerman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 min
SEP 22

Ep. 133 - Aaron Hernandez

On April 19, 2017, Aaron Hernandez — the former NFL star tight end for the New England Patriots whose meteoric rise was eclipsed by a shocking murder conviction and subsequent prison sentence — was found dead in his prison cell at the age of 27. Once a standout athlete at the University of Florida and a Super Bowl–appearing Pro Bowler, Hernandez’s career and life unraveled after his arrest and conviction for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. His fall from grace, punctuated by a highly publicized trial and posthumous revelations of brain trauma and personal struggles, made Hernandez one of the most infamous cautionary tales in modern sports history. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 min

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Charlie Cotton & Deven Rall bring you the latest in entertainment news and pop culture with TMZ’s edgy, exclusive content. It’s everything you need to know about the stories everyone is talking about.

3.5 (434)

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Jason Beckerman

Host
Derek Kaufman

Host

4.5

out of 5

230 Ratings

Next Episodes

Mar 4

N.Foster

1.Aaron Hernandez 2.Christina Grimmie 3.Thuy Trang 4.Jason David Frank 5.Diana, Princess of Wales 6.Cheslie Kryst 7.Camron Boyce
Inaccuracies

Oct 12

RealisticOptimist

You all get a lot of things wrong most notably in your Luke Perry episode. His son’s name is Jack and 8 Seconds was from 1994. He was on 90210 at the time. Amazing film. Amazing man. Do better. ETA George Wendt didn’t portray Ditka in his SNL “Da Bears” skits. You guys gets some basic info wrong and show you’re not fans or respectful of those who are when you get stuff wrong. ETA shame on you for covering a white supremacist who did nothing with his life but spread hate. He was a nobody.
It’s fine

Sep 29

Shannibal Lecter

Show is good when you just need 20-30 minutes of something decent to listen to. They’ll overinflated the importance of who they’re covering all the time though. In the Aaron Hernandez episode they said even though Gronk went on to have the better career; it was Hernandez that was the big star of the two… that’s simply not at all true. They claim there would be no Bad Bunny without Big Pun. Pretty much implying that other acts from Puerto Rico wouldn’t possibly break out without him doing so first. The romanticize their subjects way too much. It’s also a bit laughable when they talk about the poor media treatment the subject is given… considering they’re TMZ, and are the worse about stuff like this.
Charlie Kirk

Sep 24

Chubs1966

I hope you intend to cove more Charlie Kirk than 4 mins. He did more in 31 yrs than any of us in 100 yrs. TMZ, remember there is more than one side listening to you. (For Now!) Help change my mind!

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.