Last Days

On December 14, 2025, Rob Reiner — the groundbreaking actor-turned-director whose blend of humor, heart, and moral clarity helped shape the landscape of modern American film — was murdered along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles home, bringing a tragic end to one of Hollywood’s most enduring creative and personal partnerships. From his Emmy-winning turn as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family to his extraordinary run of genre-defining films — including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men — Reiner carved out a career marked equally by artistic daring and emotional resonance. Michele, his steadfast collaborator in life, influenced his most iconic work and shared his commitment to family, advocacy, and the belief that stories could make the world better. Hosts: Jason Beckerman, Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On August 13, 1995, Mickey Mantle — the legendary New York Yankees center fielder who defined power, speed, and switch-hitting excellence in baseball — died at the age of 63 after a battle with liver cancer. Celebrated for his rare combination of strength and athleticism, Mantle revolutionized the game with towering home runs, blazing speed, and a fearless style of play that thrived on the sport’s biggest stages. A three-time MVP and seven-time World Series champion, his impact on baseball during the 1950s and 1960s made him an enduring icon of America’s pastime, inspiring generations of players and fans alike. Hosts: Jason Beckerman, Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On October 6, 2020, Eddie Van Halen — the revolutionary guitarist who reshaped the sound and possibilities of rock music — died at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer. Celebrated for his explosive tapping technique, innovative tone engineering, and fearless musical curiosity, Van Halen transformed guitar playing into a new art form with a style that blended virtuosity, rhythm, and pure adrenaline. His work on albums like Van Halen and 1984 not only catapulted his band to global fame but set an enduring benchmark for rock musicianship, inspiring countless players across genres from hard rock to pop. Hosts: Jason Beckerman, Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On March 19, 1982, Randy Rhoads — the prodigiously gifted guitarist who helped redefine heavy metal’s sound in the early ’80s — died at the age of 25 in a plane crash while on tour with Ozzy Osbourne. Known for his blistering technique and classical-inspired precision, Rhoads brought sophistication and melody to a genre previously defined by raw power. His work on Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman not only revived Osbourne’s solo career but set a new standard for guitar virtuosity, influencing generations of players from metal to modern rock. Hosts: Jason Beckerman, Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley — the Jamaican singer, songwriter, and cultural revolutionary who brought reggae and Rastafarianism to the global stage — died of cancer at the age of 36 in Miami. Born in rural Nine Mile and rising from the streets of Kingston’s Trenchtown, Marley fused spiritual conviction with political defiance in songs like “One Love,” “Redemption Song,” and “No Woman, No Cry.” Though his life was cut short, his music and message of unity, resistance, and peace made him a worldwide symbol of freedom and the enduring soul of Jamaica. Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices