This person died in 2002 at the age of 64, Born in Littlefield, Texas, he became a radio disc jockey at 14 and formed his own band soon afterward. His resonant, authoritative voice was used to narrate The Dukes of Hazzard. Early in his career, his life nearly ended when he gave up his seat on the plane that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. With Willie Nelson, he performed duets like Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys and Good Hearted Woman. Today’s dead celebrity is Waylon Jennings.

If you liked this episode, you might also like Episode 31 The Greatest (Muhammad Ali), Episode 84 Vocal Bedrock (Johnny Cash), and Episode 19 Singing Mailman (John Prine).

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NYT Obituary for Waylon Jennings

Waylon talks about the death of Buddy Holly

In depth interview with Waylon Jennings about his autobiography

Badass stories about Waylon

Waylon and Big Bird

Dead or Alive quiz game

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads

Famous & Gravy official website

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This person died in 2018, age 61. He never stopped marveling at the unlikeliness of his own success. Quote: “I should have died in my twenties. I became successful in my forties. I became my dad in my fifties. I feel like I’ve stolen a car, a really nice car, and I keep looking in the rearview mirror for flashing lights.” He emerged as a leading male voice in support of the Me Too movement. He was open about his past addictions to heroin and cocaine. He ate noodles in Hanoi with President Barack Obama, sucked on soft-boiled turtle eggs in Colombia, and savored handmade spring rolls in Cambodia on his way to an interview with the opposition government. Today’s dead celebrity is Anthony Bourdain.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like Episode 79 Likeable Villain (Alan Rickman), Episode 108 Hunter S. Thompson (Gonzo Troubadour) and Episode 102 Joan Didion (Magical Thinker).

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NYT Obituary for Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain eats noodles with President Obama in Hanoi (Parts Unknown)

Anthony Bourdain on West Virginia and empathy (Parts Unknown)

Anthony Bourdain on Palestine (Parts Unknown)

Anthony Bourdain’s original Kitchen Confidential essay – New Yorker

Bourdain on WTF with Marc Maron

Dead or Alive quiz game

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads

Famous & Gravy official website

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This person died 2024, age 76. His TV show went into national syndication in 1980 and ran until 1984, after which he developed an array of products and performances to replace it. He described himself as a loner with few friends, whose main companions were pet dalmatians and live-in maids. Even people who encountered him by chance said he was exactly as he appeared on TV: hyperkinetic, authentic, and totally outrageous. People Magazine once called him “a hyperkinetic elf in an emerald green tracksuit and the clown prince of fitness.” Today’s dead celebrity is Richard Simmons.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like Episode 65 Steve Irwin (Crikey Inner Child) and Episode 7 Joan Rivers (Stilletto Comic).

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NYT Obituary for Richard Simmons

Missing Richard Simmons podcast by Dan Taberski

Richard Simmons on Who’s Line is it Anyway?

Hot mic moment, behind the scenes with Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons on Letterman (1986–2000s, multiple clips)

Richard Simmons on General Hospital

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.