Famous and Gravy Podcast By Wondery | 14th Street Studios | Michael Osborne cover art

Famous and Gravy

Famous and Gravy

By: Wondery | 14th Street Studios | Michael Osborne
Listen for free

About this listen

We explore the lives of notable people who’ve just died—celebrities, icons, cultural figures—and asks what their stories can teach us about ourselves. It’s part obituary podcast, part biography, and part existential detective work.

Think you know everything about some of modern history’s most recognizable figures? We’re Amit and Michael, two pop culture enthusiasts who upend your assumptions about the iconic and the famous. Because that’s where you find the “gravy” – the rich, flavorful sauce that brings out the best parts of the dish that is life.

Each episode we’ll put the lives of recently deceased celebrities under the microscope to consider the not-so-obvious ways these icons of culture left their impact and imprint on modern history. It’s a hilarious and fresh perspective on the celebrities you thought you knew.

Listen to episodes of Famous & Gravy early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/famous-and-gravy/ now.

© 2024 Famous & Gravy
Art World
Episodes
  • Space Man (Stephen Hawking)
    Jul 9 2025

    This person died in 2018, age 76. He published a non-fiction book in 1988 that has sold more than 10 million copies and inspired a documentary film by Errol Morris. He married twice; fathered three children; and was not above appearing on “The Simpsons,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation” or “The Big Bang Theory.” In 1963 he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, and told he had only a few years to live. In 1973 he set out to apply quantum theory, the weird laws that govern subatomic reality, to black holes. Today’s dead celebrity is Stephen Hawking.

    If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Episode 100 “Divine Neighbor” (Fred Rogers) and Episode 17 “Modest Moonwalker” (Neil Armstrong).

    Famous & Gravy is created and hosted by Michael Osborne. This episode features guest co-host Dr. Nicholas Weiler.

    LINKS:

    Transcript of this episode

    NYT obituary for Stephen Hawking

    Errol Morris documentary A Brief History of Time

    Stephen Hawking on BBC Desert Island Discs (1992)

    Stephen Hawking on The Simpsons

    Stephen Hawking on Star Trek: The Next Generation

    Stephen Hawking interview on John Oliver: Last Week Tonight

    Dead or Alive quiz game

    Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads

    Famous & Gravy official website


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Script Doctor (Michael Crichton)
    Jun 25 2025

    This person died in 2008, age 66. He changed his major from English to anthropology after a professor’s harsh critique, graduating summa cum laude from Harvard in 1964. He earned a medical degree five years later, then walked away from clinical science altogether. He used fiction to explore the moral and political problems posed by modern technology and scientific breakthroughs. His books sold in the tens of millions and almost routinely became movies, many of them blockbusters like "Jurassic Park", "The Lost World," as well as "Rising Sun." He juggled roles as a novelist, screenwriter, director, and producer in both film and TV. Today’s dead celebrity is Michael Crichton.

    If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy Episode 97 "Time Pilgrim" (Kurt Vonnegut) and Episode 74 "Masterclass Act" (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

    Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Michael Osborne. This episode features guest co-host John Watts and is produced by Evan Sherer.


    LINKS:

    Transcript of this episode

    NYT obituary for Michael Crichton

    2007 Charlie Rose interview

    1970s Dick Cavett appearance

    1992 TED Talk

    1999 Predictions about the future

    Dead or Alive quiz game

    Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads

    Famous & Gravy official website


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
No reviews yet