Broken Limelight is a true crime podcast about celebrities, featuring stories about the dark histories behind Hollywood, the elite, and anyone in the limelight. From murders to mysterious overdoses and suicides to drug addiction to sex abuse, everyone has a story. *Note: If you are not a fan of profanity, random bursts of singing, or people who laugh at their own jokes, this podcast may not be for you. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brokenlimelight/support
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I am a Professor at Barnard College. My expertise is groundwater microbiology with a focus on linking Arsenic and carbon sources. My podcasts enable me to talk to scientists from around the world about their work.
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#62: Woodstock '99 (Ft. Lisa Foiles)
1:14:35
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The Woodstock '99 music festival was intended to be a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the iconic Woodstock festival of 1969. What was meant to be a musical utopia filled with peace, love, and unity, turned into a chaotic and controversial event that would be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Woodstock '99 marked a stark departure from th…
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#61: John Holmes Pt. 2: The Wonderland Murders
1:25:40
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Part 2 of 2. John Holmes was one of America's first porn stars, reaching the pinnacle of his fame before his story took a dark turn. As drug addiction consumed him, John found himself in the midst of a drug war that would end in a brutal attack that would become known as the Wonderland murders. *View episode details at https://brokenlimelight.com/e…
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John Holmes was one of America's first porn stars, reaching the pinnacle of his fame before his story took a dark turn. As drug addiction consumed him, John found himself in the midst of a drug war that would end in a brutal attack that would become known as the Wonderland murders. Part 1 of 2. *View episode details at https://brokenlimelight.com/e…
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#59: Bob Crane Pt 2 | Interview with Biographers Carol Ford & Linda Groundwater
1:05:19
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Part 2 of 2. Radio & TV star Bob Crane was brutally murdered on June 29th, 1978 in his hotel room in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nearly 45 years after his death, he is still portrayed in the media as a sexual deviant with a porn addiction. In this episode, we deep dive the true story of Bob Crane, exploring his life, career, sexual escapades, and his murd…
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Radio & TV star Bob Crane was brutally murdered on June 29th, 1978 in his hotel room in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nearly 45 years after his death, he is still portrayed in the media as a sexual deviant with a porn addiction. In this episode, we deep dive the true story of Bob Crane, exploring his life, career, sexual escapades, and his murder in 1978. *…
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O.J. Simpson was a famous football player and actor who was charged with murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Despite the mountain of evidence implicating him as the murderer, O.J. was acquitted, thanks to his legal Dream Team and the incompetence of the LAPD. *This is Part 3 of 3. In Part 3, we discuss O.J.'s explanati…
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O.J. Simpson was a famous football player and actor who was charged with murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Despite the mountain of evidence implicating him as the murderer, O.J. was acquitted, thanks to his legal Dream Team and the incompetence of the LAPD. *This is Part 2 of 3. In Part 2, we'll cover O.J.'s arrest t…
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O.J. Simpson was a famous football player and actor who was charged with murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Despite the mountain of evidence implicating him as the murderer, O.J. was acquitted, thanks to his legal Dream Team and the incompetence of the LAPD. *This is Part 1 of 3. In Part 1, we'll cover O.J.'s relation…
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Dimebag Darrell was a founding member of Pantera and one of the greatest heavy metal guitarists of all time. After Pantera broke up, many fans were upset, but one angry fan, 25 year old Nathan Gale, was angry enough to take Dimebag’s life during a concert. *View episode details at brokenlimelight.com/episodes/51-75/54-dimebag-darrell * * * * *Didi …
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Chalino Sanchez was a Mexican singer-songwriter known for his narcocorridos, or drug ballads. His songs told true stories of gang rivalries, cartel activity, famous outlaws, etc. In 1992, he received a note in the middle of a concert that is believed to have included a death threat. Chalino crumpled up the note and went on with the show. A few hour…
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Phil Hartman was an actor and comedian who is known for many things, like voiceover work on the Simpsons and impersonating more than 50 characters on Saturday Night Live. He made it up the Hollywood ladder and built a beautiful family. Sadly, his life was tragically ended in a violent murder-suicide at the hands of his wife, Brynn. **View Episode P…
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The term “very special episode” refers to comedy sitcoms that featured episodes that contained really dark or controversial themes. The usage of the term peaked in the 1980’s but there are earlier shows with episodes like this. In this episode, Didi & Summer discuss Very Special Episodes from sitcoms Boy Meets World, All in the Family, Diff'rent St…
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Lou Pearlman is the record producer behind boy bands Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. He formed the groups and made them stars, while gaining their trust and acting as a father figure. Lou was accused of grooming and sexually abusing teen singers, as well as running off with their earnings before being prosecuted for his involvement in one of the longes…
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This is a cautionary tale about how people with connections can take advantage of people with aspirations (for example, promising a career to an aspiring singer). Tune in to hear about the time I possibly could've been a target/victim. *Read the full story in Didi's book, "Broken Limelight: Shocking True Crimes About Celebrities" * * * * * *Didi We…
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Numerous child actors have been known to be pressured into show business by their parents. You might be shocked to find out just how many had no say in the matter. Where is the line between fulfilling your child's dreams, and working them like a horse for your own indulgence? * * * * *View Episode Page at www.brokenlimelight.com/episodes/31-45/e49-…
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Pamela Anderson was a Playboy model, actress, and an iconic sex symbol. Tommy Lee was the drummer of Mötley Crüe and known for his love of partying and his gigantic schlong. Those who hadn't heard of Pam & Tommy would become familiar in 1996, when they're intimate honeymoon video was stolen, reproduced, and streamed on the internet, becoming the fi…
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#47: Bill Cosby Pt. 2 / Interview with Lise Lotte-Lublin
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Bill Cosby has been accused of sexually assaulting at least 68 women. Today, we speak to one of those women. Lise Lotte-Lublin tells us about her experience with Bill Cosby and how she fought to have the statute of limitations changed in the state of Nevada. * * * * *View Episode Page at brokenlimelight.com/episodes/31-45/e46-47-bill-cosby *Didi We…
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Bill Cosby has been accused of sexual assault by nearly 70 women. He was found guilty of assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004, as well as Judy Huth when she was just 16. After serving roughly 2 years in prison, his conviction was overturned. But it's not because he was innocent. So what happened? * * * * *View Episode Page at brokenlimelight.com/epis…
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#45: Gianni Versace Pt. 2/Andrew Cunanan
1:04:32
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On July 15th 1997, Gianni Versace was shot and killed outside of his Miami Beach mansion by spree killer Andrew Cunanan. It was unclear if Versace knew his attacker or what the motive was. In this 2 part episode, we explore the life of Andrew Cunanan, his connection to Gianni Versace, and the killing spree that ended the life of the famous fashion …
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#44: Gianni Versace Pt. 1/Inventing Andrew
1:09:58
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On July 15th 1997, Gianni Versace was shot and killed outside of his Miami Beach mansion by spree killer Andrew Cunanan. It was unclear if Versace knew his attacker or what the motive was. In this 2 part episode, we explore the life of Andrew Cunanan, his connection to Gianni Versace, and the killing spree that ended the life of the famous fashion …
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#43: Tonya Harding & The Attack on Nancy Kerrigan
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When figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed in the knee before the National Championships, all eyes were on her rival, Tonya Harding. What exactly was Tonya's role in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan? * * * * *View Episode Page at brokenlimelight.com/episodes/31-45/e43-tonya-harding *Didi West is not a journalist or mental health professional, she is…
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Armie Hammer is an American actor who comes from a long line of powerful businessmen. Since his wife divorced him, he's had a number of flings and multiple women have come forward with disturbing accusations about him. Many have included screenshots of him describing his fantasies of rape and cannibalism. * * * * *View Episode Page at https://broke…
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Pee-Wee Herman is a television and film character created by Paul Reubens. Pee-Wee was incredibly popular and successful until 1991, when Paul Ruebens was arrested for indecent exposure. Pee-Wee's reputation was destroyed, and many believe he was treated unfairly. Was he? * * * * *View Episode Page at https://brokenlimelight.com/episodes/e41-pee-we…
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Chris Chan is a YouTube vlogger and creator of the webcomic series Sonichu. After being discovered by internet trolls, Chris would engage in a decade-long war against cyberbullies and end up putting his most private intricacies on display for the whole world to see. Before long, the world would witness the most disturbing of Chris' actions. * * * *…
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Chris Benoit was a Canadian wrestling superstar who is still remembered to this day as the greatest technical wrestler in the world. In 2007, Chris committed a double-murder suicide against his wife and 7-year-old son. Was it steroids, brain damage, or a fear of losing his wife that made him commit this awful crime? * * * * *Didi West is not a jour…
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What happened to Amanda Bynes? Amanda Bynes was an iconic child actress and comedian from the 90's-00's. She was a star from an early age, until her mental health started deteriorating and she began breaking down publicly. What contributed to Amanda's mental health problems? Did it have anything to do with Dan Schneider? * * * * *Didi West is not a…
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Dan Schneider is a Nickelodeon producer responsible for shows like The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, iCarly, Victorious, Henry Danger, and so on. Nickelodeon severed ties with Schneider in 2018 when audiences began to question whether Dan had been sexually abusing and/or exploiting his young stars. * * * * *Didi West is not a journalist or mental heal…
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#36: Bill Clinton & Monica Lewinsky Pt. 2
1:01:03
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In 1998, a story broke that President Bill Clinton was having an ongoing affair with 24 year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. The media was eager to make Monica the face of the scandal; but Bill would be the one charged with perjury, leading to his impeachment. In this episode, we’ll explore the impeachment against Bill Clinton, the acquitt…
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#35: Bill Clinton & Monica Lewinsky Pt. 1
1:07:29
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In 1998, a story broke that President Bill Clinton was having an ongoing affair with 24 year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. The media was eager to make Monica the face of the scandal; but Bill would be the one charged with perjury, leading to his impeachment. In this episode, we’ll explore the allegations against Bill Clinton, the details…
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Linda Lovelace was one of the most famous actresses of the Golden Age of Porn. She became a household name when Deep Throat became the first pornographic movie ever to cross into the mainstream. Beyond the stardom, however, was an abusive manager holding her captive and forcing her to perform. This episode is the second of 2 parts of the Linda Love…
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Linda Lovelace was one of the most famous actresses of the Golden Age of Porn. She became a household name when Deep Throat became the first pornographic movie ever to cross into the mainstream. Beyond the stardom, however, was an abusive manager holding her captive and forcing her to perform. * * * * *Didi West is not a journalist or mental health…
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For over 25 years, the details of the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G (Biggie Smalls) have been shrouded in mystery. They're still considered cold cases to this day. Were their deaths a result of the east coast/west coast rivalry? Was Tupac murdered by his own friend? This episode explores the evidence compiled by retired LAPD detect…
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#31: Phil Spector & the Murder of Lana Clarkson
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Phil Spector was a legendary music producer with an epic collection of wigs. Lana Clarkson was an actress and model who was went home with Phil after her shift at the House of Blues. Sadly, she wouldn't come out alive. This episode explore the life, achievements, and relationships of Phil Spector, including his marriage to Ronnie Spector of the Ron…
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For over a decade, a man scammed several restaurants and stores across the US, claiming to be a police officer. He was able to persuade managers of these businesses to conduct strip searches on young employees and customers. He was eventually caught, but only after 18 year-old Louise Ogborn was subjected to 4 hours of torture. * * * * *Didi West is…
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Jennifer Hudson caught the nation's attention when she appeared in American Idol's third season. She shook the audiences with her performance in Dreamgirls, and she was handpicked by Aretha Franklin to star in the 2021 biopic Respect. In the midst of making a name for herself, Jennifer's family suffered a horrific attack that would truly test her s…
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*Part 3 dives into Mark's plan to kill John Lennon and the aftermath. Listen to parts 1 & 2 for the full story on John Lennon and Mark David Chapman. John Lennon is one of the co-founders of The Beatles and one of the most beloved artists in the world. He had a turbulent childhood and made numerous achievements in his short life, before he was murd…
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#27: John Lennon Pt. 2 / Mark David Chapman
1:03:21
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*Part 2 dives into the mind of Mark David Chapman, John Lennon’s killer. Listen to Part 1 for a recap on John’s life and career. John Lennon is one of the co-founders of The Beatles and one of the most beloved artists in the world. He had a turbulent childhood and made numerous achievements in his short life, before he was murdered at just 40 years…
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John Lennon is one of the co-founders of The Beatles and one of the most beloved artists in the world. He had a turbulent childhood and made numerous achievements in his short life, before he was murdered at just 40 years old at the hands of a 25 year old fan, Mark David Chapman. *Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic details crimes includ…
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Kelsey Grammer is best known for playing the role of Dr. Frasier Crane in Cheers and the spin-off Frasier. He also performed numerous roles on Broadway, on television sitcoms, and doing voice-over work. Frasier-- I mean Kelsey-- has also had a life full of tragedy, as his family seems to be surrounded by things like murders, kidnappings, fatal acci…
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Victor Salva is an American filmmaker known for his work in horror movies like the Jeepers Creepers films, as well as the 1995 film Powder. What many people don’t know is that he was also convicted of sexually assaulting a 12 year old actor on the set of a movie in 1989. Victor Salva was able to continue his career long after his conviction, even m…
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Selena Quintanilla was murdered at 23 years old by her friend and president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar.Yolanda was short, chubby, and mousy and desperate for a purpose in life. Selena was her first and only friend. What on earth compelled her to kill the beloved star?This episode also discusses the events of November 5th, 2021 at the Astrowo…
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In 1995, a guest on The Jenny Jones show was murdered after revealing his secret crush on the show. Three days after appearing on the show, his crush would return to murder him. Was daytime television partially responsible? *Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of themes like murder, homophobia, and ambush tactics. * * * * * …
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River Phoenix died on October 31st, 1993 under mysterious circumstances, at just 23 years old. At his young age, he was already an established actor, and also had a fair share of trauma in his life. His brother Joaquin and sister Rain were there at the Viper Room with him as drugs were being passed around. Everyone could see that River was in bad s…
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Adrienne Shelly made a career out of roles featuring powerful woman. She was successful in front of the camera as well as behind it, and was on the verge of becoming huge when she wrote, directed, and co-starred in the film Waitress. Sadly, Adrienne was brutally murdered before she could see the huge success that Waitress was to become. *Trigger Wa…
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What started as a photo shoot for a magazine ended in one of the most notorious sexual assault cases in modern history. Roman Polanski is one of the most celebrated directors in the world. Samantha Gailey was only 13 years old when he sexually assaulted her in 1977, just 8 years after the tragic death of his wife, Sharon Tate. *Trigger Warning: Thi…
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Sharon Tate was a beautiful and talented Hollywood starlet who was married to director Roman Polanski. She starred in films like The Fearless Vampire Killers and Valley of the Dolls. When Sharon was just 26 years old and 8 and a half months pregnant, she was murdered by the members of Charles Manson's cult, the "Manson Family". *Trigger Warning: Th…
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Many film and television sets have fallen victim to dangerous accidents. But some of those are believed to be haunted-- or worse-- cursed. From tragic deaths to a spooky warning from a priest, these movies may have something more sinister going on than simple bad luck. In this episode, I'll cover the legends surrounding the "curses" on Poltergeist,…
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Corey Feldman (Gremlins, The Goonies, Stand By Me, etc.) and Corey Haim (Lucas, Silver Bullet, The Lost Boys, License to Drive) were child actors from the 80’s, and best friends. As children, they were both allegedly sexually abused by adult men in Hollywood, like Marty Weiss and Charlie Sheen. Both Coreys struggled with drug addiction and after Co…
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#14: Baby Groupies & Cradle-Robbing Rockstars
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14 year old Lori Mattix lost her virginity to David Bowie and had a 2 year relationship with Jimmy Page (during which he kidnapped her). Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, started dating a 16 year old girl and convinced her mother to give him guardianship over her, and then he impregnated and forced her to get an abortion. Elvis was known …
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Marilyn Monroe died at just 36 years old of what appeared to be a suicide by overdose. But when you take a closer look, it seems that there may have been foul-play. Many believe that Marilyn was killed by the Kennedy's. So what's fact and what's theory? *Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic details of themes like drug abuse, sexual abuse,…
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