Last Days

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X — the influential civil rights leader whose powerful voice challenged America to confront racism, inequality, and injustice — was assassinated in New York City at the age of 39. Rising from a troubled youth to become one of the most prominent and controversial figures of the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm X captivated audiences with his uncompromising rhetoric, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to Black empowerment. In the final years of his life, his views evolved following a pilgrimage to Mecca, broadening his vision of racial unity while maintaining his demand for dignity and human rights. His assassination cut short a transformative life, but his ideas, activism, and enduring influence continue to shape conversations about race and justice around the world.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie seemed destined to become Hollywood royalty after falling in love on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, building a global empire of fame, philanthropy, and six children. But behind the glamorous image, cracks were forming that would eventually lead to one of the most bitter and prolonged celebrity breakups in modern history. On this episode of Splits, Derek Kaufman and Katie Hayes trace Brangelina’s rise from controversial beginnings to power-couple dominance, then unpack the private struggles, explosive allegations, custody war, and years-long legal battles that turned their separation into an international spectacle. From the infamous plane incident to the ongoing disputes over their French winery, this is the story of how Hollywood’s most iconic romance fell apart.

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On November 13, 2004, Russell Tyrone Jones — the wildly unpredictable rapper known as Ol' Dirty Bastard whose unfiltered charisma and singular voice helped define the Wu-Tang Clan’s rise from Staten Island streets to hip-hop immortality — died from an accidental drug overdose in New York City at the age of 35. A founding member of the influential rap group, ODB brought a chaotic brilliance to the Wu-Tang's mythology, blending raw humor, emotional vulnerability, and magnetic unpredictability into a persona unlike anything rap had seen before. He embodied both the creative freedom and personal turmoil that often accompanied hip-hop’s explosive growth in the 1990s. His death ended one of the genre’s most singular and uncompromising voices, leaving behind a legacy defined as much by his cultural impact as by the untamed artistry that made him impossible to ignore.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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On March 13, 1978, John Cazale — the quietly brilliant actor whose remarkable run of performances helped define a golden era of American cinema — died of lung cancer in New York City at the age of 42. Though his career spanned only a handful of films, Cazale left an extraordinary mark through unforgettable roles in classics such as The Godfather, The Conversation, and Dog Day Afternoon, bringing a rare vulnerability and authenticity to every character he portrayed. Revered by peers for his subtle artistry and emotional depth, he became one of Hollywood’s most respected actors despite never achieving traditional leading-man fame. His untimely death cut short a career of immense promise, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate through some of the greatest films ever made.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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On June 7, 1993, Dražen Petrović — the brilliant Croatian guard whose fearless scoring and relentless drive helped transform the NBA’s perception of European basketball — died in a car crash in Germany at the age of 28. From his dominance in Europe to his emergence as a star with the New Jersey Nets, Petrović played with a conviction that felt both deeply personal and profoundly trailblazing, opening doors for an international generation that followed in his wake. His sudden death cut short one of basketball’s most compelling ascents, leaving behind a legacy defined as much by unrealized greatness as by the revolutionary impact he had already achieved.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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On May 21, 2026, Kyle Busch — the fiercely competitive NASCAR champion whose relentless drive and unapologetic intensity made him one of the sport’s most polarizing and accomplished figures — died at the age of 41 following a sudden illness. A two-time Cup Series champion and one of the winningest drivers in NASCAR history, Busch built his career on raw talent, fearless aggression, and an unmatched hunger to win, earning admiration from fans and frustration from rivals in equal measure. Nicknamed “Rowdy” for his fiery personality and hard-edged racing style, he remained a defining presence in motorsports for more than two decades, balancing controversy with undeniable greatness. His sudden death leaves NASCAR mourning not only an elite competitor, but a singular personality whose impact on the sport will endure for generations.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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On February 2, 1979, Sid Vicious — the sneering, self-destructive bassist of the Sex Pistols whose reckless persona became synonymous with the chaos and nihilism of punk rock — died of a heroin overdose in New York City at the age of 21, just months after the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, at the Chelsea Hotel. Together, Vicious and Spungen embodied the darkest extremes of the late-1970s punk movement: volatile, addicted, fiercely codependent, and consumed by a relationship that blurred the line between love and mutual destruction. Spungen, a deeply troubled young woman drawn to the underground music scene, became both muse and scapegoat within punk culture, while Vicious’s meteoric rise from London misfit to international antihero masked profound instability beneath the sneer and swagger. Their tragic spiral through violence, fame, and heroin addiction culminated in one of rock history’s most infamous deaths, cementing the pair as enduring symbols of punk’s seductive rebellion and catastrophic excess.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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On June 29, 1978, Bob Crane — the affable star of Hogan’s Heroes whose quick wit and everyman charm made him a fixture of American television — was found murdered in a Scottsdale, Arizona apartment at the age of 49. A performer who built his career on warmth and comedic precision, Crane cultivated an image of effortless likability, transitioning from radio personality to primetime lead with a disarming ease that resonated across living rooms nationwide. Yet beneath that genial exterior lingered a far more complicated private life, one marked by secrecy and excess, which cast a long shadow over both his career and his final days. His brutal, still-unsolved killing shattered the illusion of the carefree entertainer, leaving behind a legacy suspended between the laughter he inspired and the unsettling mystery that endures.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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On January 20, 2022, Meat Loaf — the thunderous-voiced rock opera icon whose theatrical grandeur and raw emotional power turned Bat Out of Hell into one of the best-selling albums of all time — died at the age of 74. A performer of unapologetic excess and operatic intensity, he fused rock, drama, and vulnerability into a singular style that defied convention, delivering anthems that felt as explosive as they were deeply human, cementing his place as one of music’s most larger-than-life storytellers.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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On August 2, 1979, Thurman Munson — the gritty captain of the New York Yankees whose defensive brilliance and stubborn leadership defined a Bronx dynasty — died in a small plane crash at the age of 32. A competitor of rare intensity and blue-collar dignity, Munson built a legacy defined not by polish but by substance, turning a catcher’s grueling labor into the heartbeat of a championship culture. With his rocket arm and a bat that thrived under the high-stakes pressure of October, Munson anchored a clubhouse of outsized egos with a presence that felt both fiercely protective and undeniably essential.

Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman

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