This person died 2012, age 61. She was known for keeping her cool under stress. She politely endured a barrage of questions focused on her sex. She once said, “It’s too bad this is such a big deal. It’s too bad our society isn’t further along.” By the time she began studying laser physics at Stanford, women had already broken through into the physics department—once a boys’ club. In her early days at NASA, she trained in parachute jumping, water survival, weightlessness, and the huge G-forces of a rocket launch. Today’s dead celebrity is Sally Ride.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like Episode 17 Modest Moonwalker (Neil Armstrong) and Episode 107 Corgi Whisperer (Queen Elizabeth II)

Famous & Gravy is created and hosted by Michael Osborne. This episode features guest co-host Michelle Dahlenburg. Production by Evan Sherer, with assistance from Jacob Weiss. Original music by Kevin Strang.

LINKS

Transcript of this episode

Official U.S. Mint page for Sally Ride Quarter

Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego

NYT obituary for Sally Ride

Sesame Street clip featuring Sally Ride

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.

Today on Famous & Gravy, we’re sharing an episode from one of our favorite history podcasts—History Daily, hosted by Lindsay Graham.

Why do we think Famous & Gravy listeners will enjoy this show? Because, like us, they believe that history is human. Each daily episode zooms in on a single moment in time, offering a compelling narrative that’s both immersive and full of unexpected insight.

In this episode, we hear the story of how David Bowie—then still going by David Jones—morphed into his most iconic alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. It’s a tale of transformation, inspiration, and bold creative reinvention. If you liked our Bowie episode, you’ll love this.

Happy listening—and Famous & Gravy will be back next week with our regularly scheduled programming.

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

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.