Death In Entertainment

The curtain rises again on humanity’s most jaw-dropping exits. In Part 2, we dive headfirst into a fresh wave of high-stakes disasters — from fiery race car crashes witnessed by millions, to deadly attempts at breaking world records that went down in history for all the wrong reasons. These are the moments where ambition, danger, and audience collide… with tragic results. Because when the spotlight hits, sometimes death takes center stage.

🔊 Listener discretion is advised. Things get wild.

Death in Entertainment is hosted every week by Kyle Ploof, Jerii Aquino and Ben Kissel.

Story by Brando...

🎇 In this episode covering Public Spectacles of Death, we dive into a sky-high trifecta of tragedy: a fireworks celebration for Marie Antoinette’s wedding that turned Paris into a flaming stampede, a Disney character performer in Maine who took flight... without wings, and WWII hero Richard Bong—who survived combat only to be done in by a peacetime jet test. From royal carnage to cartoonish freefall, we explore when the show really shouldn’t go on.

Join Kyle Ploof, Jerii Aquino and Ben Kissel every week on Death in Entertainment.

This we...

He was the beat behind some of rock’s greatest anthems—Layla, You’re So Vain, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number. A Grammy-winning drummer and a member of music royalty, Jim Gordon played with everyone from George Harrison to Frank Zappa. But behind the steady rhythm was a mind unraveling. Voices haunted him. Paranoia consumed him. And in 1983, it all came crashing down with the brutal murder of his own mother.

This episode dives deep into the rise, fall, and haunting legacy of Jim Gordon—a man whose genius couldn’t outrun his madness. That's today on Death in...

Join Kyle Ploof, Ben Kissel and Jerri Aquino as they discuss the life and crimes of Randall Woodfield, known as the I-5 Killer.

Story by Brandon Preo.

In the seedy underbelly of 1980s Los Angeles, a faded porn legend, a brutal drug gang, and a Hollywood mansion became the center of one of the city's most grisly and mysterious mass murders.

John Holmes—once the king of adult film—was broke, addicted, and desperate. When he crossed paths with the Wonderland Gang, it set off a chain of violence that would leave four people bludgeoned to death in what LAPD called "the most savage crime scene they'd ever seen."

But was Holmes a pawn… or a player? Find out th...

Behind the mask of Batman was a man who fought his greatest battle not against the Joker or Riddler, but against the crushing weight of an iconic role that threatened to define—and destroy—his entire career.

Adam West's journey from farm-raised boy in Walla Walla, Washington to cultural phenomenon is a masterclass in resilience. While most remember him delivering deadpan lines in a blue and gray costume, few realize the profound struggles he faced after Batman was canceled in 1968. For nearly a decade, West wandered through Hollywood's wilderness—typecast, overlooked, and often broke—taking whatever work would pa...

The legacy of Star Wars extends far beyond lightsabers and space battles—it lives in the remarkable humans who brought these iconic characters to life. From the reluctant Jedi to the princess who gave zero f*cks, this episode pulls back the curtain on the fascinating, sometimes tragic lives of the Star Wars actors who've joined the cosmic force.

Sir Alec Guinness might have hated the "mumbo jumbo" dialogue of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but his shrewd 2% royalty deal made him wealthy beyond imagination. Yet behind his disdain lurked a complicated man—a convert to Catholicism with arrest records sugg...

The murder of six-year-old Adam Walsh in 1981 didn't just devastate a family—it fundamentally transformed how America protects its children and hunts its criminals. What began as a routine shopping trip to a Florida Sears department store ended in unimaginable tragedy when Adam disappeared while playing at a video game display, only to be found murdered weeks later.

This horrific event catalyzed a revolution in American justice. Before Adam's case, there was no national database for missing children, no standardized protocols for immediate action, and no systematic way to mobilize the public in searches. His father John Wa...

The smiling faces of the Little Rascals hide a sinister secret - one by one, these beloved child stars met tragic, often violent ends that defy coincidence. From Alfalfa's shocking shooting over a $50 debt to plane crashes, hit-and-runs, and house fires, these former icons died in ways so bizarre you'd think they were cursed.

Behind the comedy shorts that entertained generations lies a darker story of exploitation. While Hal Roach Studios made millions, none of the 176 children who appeared in the series ever received a penny in residuals. Many former stars watched themselves on television while struggling...

Celebrity gossip has always had a dark side. Those whispered tales of stars behaving badly, dying mysteriously, or hiding shocking secrets spread through Hollywood parties like wildfire, creating urban legends that live far longer than they deserve. Even in our hyper-connected age, these stories remain strangely persistent – because deep down, we want to believe.

Kyle, Ben, and Alejandro gleefully dissect the wildest Hollywood myths you've definitely heard before. Remember when everyone swore Paul McCartney died in 1966 and was replaced by a lookalike named Billy Shears? The hosts untangle the bizarre web of "clues" fans claimed to find in...

Val Kilmer wasn't just an actor – he was a chameleon who disappeared so completely into his roles that the line between performance and reality often blurred. His journey from Hollywood golden boy to cancer survivor reveals the extraordinary price of his artistic devotion.

Born on New Year's Eve 1959 in Los Angeles, Kilmer's childhood was both privileged and tragic. Growing up on Roy Rogers' ranch gave him a playground for creativity, but the sudden drowning death of his 15-year-old filmmaker brother Wesley shattered his family and became the ghost that would drive him relentlessly forward. At just 17, he be...

The raw power of Kimbo Slice's fists catapulted him from backyard brawls to mainstream arenas, but the real knockout punch in his story was his resilience against life's hardest hits.

When Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992, it washed away Kimbo's college football scholarship and left him homeless, sleeping in his 1987 Nissan Pathfinder while working 13-hour bouncer shifts at a strip club for pocket change. While most would have broken under such pressure, Kimbo's response was to fight harder.

His viral backyard fights weren't just brutal spectacles—they represented a man who refused to be de...

In the pantheon of music legends whose voices were silenced too soon, Selena Quintanilla's story stands out not just as a tragedy, but as an American dream interrupted. Born to a struggling family in Texas, Selena transformed from a child performer singing in her family's failing restaurant to the undisputed Queen of Tejano music – shattering records, breaking barriers, and creating a cultural phenomenon that transcended musical genres.

What makes Selena's journey so compelling is how her extraordinary talent was matched by remarkable business acumen. By 23, she wasn't just dominating charts and winning Grammys – she was building a mult...

The 1989 Oscars went so poorly not only did it kill the career of producer Allan Carr-- it killed HIM. Join hosts Kyle Ploof, Ben Kissel and Alejandro Dowling and tune in to an all new episode today!

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Death in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof and Ben Kissel.

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The internet has transformed ordinary people into overnight celebrities, but sometimes the path to digital fame takes a deadly turn. In this gripping exploration of YouTube's darkest corners, we uncover the shocking stories of content creators whose online journeys ended in tragedy.

Meet Tor Eckhoff, the quirky Norwegian known as "Apetor," whose ice-water stunts entertained millions before claiming his life. His videos—skating on dangerously thin ice and plunging into freezing waters while appearing to drink vodka—became his signature until that signature ultimately became his demise when he fell through ice during filming and couldn't be resc...

Join us as we pay homage to the late, great Gene Hackman and search for answers today on Death in Entertainment.

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Death in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof and Ben Kissel.

New episodes every week!

https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

Jerry Springer: The man that turned trash TV into a blood sport. The King of the paternity test reveal, the sultan of scandal-- and the guy that proved if you threw enough chairs-- someone's bound to get a career boost. But behind the chaos, there's a darker story: A man who built an empire on other people's misery. That's today on Death in Entertainment.

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Death in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof and Ben Kissel.

New episodes every week!

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The David Lynch saga continues and ends...

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Death in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof and Ben Kissel.

New episodes every week!

https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

Imagine growing up with a mother who banned coloring books to encourage creativity. In our latest episode, we embark on an eccentric journey into the life of the legendary filmmaker David Lynch, whose unique experiences shaped a mind capable of crafting surreal and unforgettable stories. From his playful childhood in Montana, where mud holes and moths sparked lifelong fascinations, to his profound realization that art could be a career, we explore what ignited his creative spirit.

Transitioning through Lynch's life, we paint a vivid picture of his time in Philadelphia, where he embraced chaos and fear, fueling...

Ever wondered if a TV psychic was the real deal or just a marketing genius? Join us as we take a hilarious yet insightful journey through the life of Miss Cleo, the unforgettable TV psychic whose commercials became late-night legends. From her start as Uri Del Harris in Los Angeles to becoming the voice of the Psychic Readers Network, we unravel the enigma of Miss Cleo. Was she truly clairvoyant, or did she master the art of 'fake-it-till-you-make-it'? Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through her colorful past, complete with humorous anecdotes and the fascinating backstory many never knew.<...

Our tribute to the entertainers we lost in 2024 continues. Join us for a special episode of laughs, tears and cheers!

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Death in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof and Ben Kissel.

New episodes every week!

https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

Well, it's that time of year again when we pay tribute to all the entertainers we lost in the last 12 months. A lot of big ones on the list! And unlike the Oscars, we don't snub! So without further ado, let's raise a glass and get into it. Oh, and Happy New Year, Deados!

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Death in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof and Ben Kissel.

New episodes every week!

https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

You know, when most people think of the Peanuts gang, they picture simple joys: Snoopy doing his happy dance, Lucy yanking that football, or Charlie Brown staring existentially at the sky, pondering the futility of life. What people don’t picture is a shadowy curse hanging over the kids who voiced these characters. But here we are.

Yes, Deados, today we’re tackling one of pop culture’s weirdest urban legends: the so-called ‘Peanuts Curse.’ Now, I know what you’re thinking—‘Curse? Really? This isn’t The Exorcist, it’s Charlie freakin’ Brown!’ And yet, the lives of many Peanuts vo...

On March 7, 1999, the film industry was rocked with the news that legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick passed away unexpectedly at his home in England. His mysterious death came just days after showing a rough cut of Eyes Wide Shut to the bigwigs at Warner Bros and months before its scheduled release. It had been a long and demanding production. Did the stress of it all finally get to him? Or was something more sinister at play? 

You see, the movie digs deep into the nefarious activities of a secret society and exposes uncomfortable truths. Deep enough to anger a...

Are you fed up with small portion sizes? Does the label “gluten-free” make you sick? Do you want your arteries clogged with grease? If you answered yes to all 3 questions, then grab your stretchy pants and defibrillator because we’ve got a reservation at The Heart Attack Grill! 

It’s a hospital-themed restaurant where nurses serve you humongous burgers deep fried in lard and then spank you if you fail to clean your plate. The owner, who calls himself Dr. Jon, proudly admits that his food will kill you. And he ain't kiddin'! Several loyal customers have dined and...

Pat Tillman is an American Hero. Rising from humble roots in California, to becoming a star athlete at Arizona State and eventually being drafted to the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League— Pat seemingly had it all. But the events of September 11th, 2001 and the ensuing war on terror made him realize how little football meant to the world. 

Soon after the Towers fell, Pat Tillman turned down two NFL contracts totaling over 12 million dollars to join the US military until becoming increasingly against the war before his untimely death and before the US government controlled his...

The ice cream blonde— a dame known for her stunning beauty, sharp comedic timing, and unforgettable roles in films alongside legends like Buster Keaton and Laurel & Hardy— Thelma Todd’s rise to fame in the 1920s and 1930s was nothing short of meteoric. But behind her dazzling career and sparkling persona, there lay a life marked by secrets, scandals, and one of the most baffling deaths in Hollywood history.

In this episode, we’ll explore the extraordinary life of Hollywood’s doll— Thelma Todd – from her humble beginnings in Massachusetts to her iconic Hollywood stardom. And of course, we’ll...

Child stardom is a strange thing. One day you’re on the cover of Tiger Beat, plastered on every teen girl’s locker, and starring on a popular TV show with the guy from "Jaws." The next day, you’re chewed up and spit out like a piece of gum stuck on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Jonathan Brandis was on top of the world at 17. At 27, he was gone. Behind the striking blue eyes and lovable smirk, was a river of sadness. This is the story of a young actor caught between who he was, who he want...

I want you to picture 1.5 million balloons floating through the sky. The year is 1986. And it happened in Cleveland, Ohio. The stunt was supposed to save the city, but instead it turned into a PR disaster. The streets were littered, the airport was shut down and 2 fishermen went missing.

It’s a story of good intentions, bad planning, and one very regrettable Guinness World record. We're going up, up and away, today on Death in Entertainment!

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