37 episodes

From Muhammad Ali to Carrie Fisher, hear how the lives of the biggest stars were truly lived. With exclusive interviews from the people who knew them in life, journalist Stephanie Okupniak tells the stories of the dead.

A Life Lived Audioboom Studios

    • Society & Culture
    • 3.8 • 82 Ratings

From Muhammad Ali to Carrie Fisher, hear how the lives of the biggest stars were truly lived. With exclusive interviews from the people who knew them in life, journalist Stephanie Okupniak tells the stories of the dead.

    Bruce Lee: Part Two

    Bruce Lee: Part Two

    Look up ‘Hollywood action hero’ in the dictionary and you’ll find one name - Bruce Lee.




    He overcame racism, stereotypes and challenge after challenge to become the world’s first Asian international film icon.




    Stephanie Okupniak enters the world of martial arts to tell the story of Bruce’s extraordinary life with the help of friend and co-star Bob Wall and students Patrick Strong and Leo Fong. 




    In part two, we take closer a look at how Bruce fought through chronic pain to become one of the first and most successful independent movie makers. 

    • 45 min
    Bruce Lee: Part One

    Bruce Lee: Part One

    Look up ‘Hollywood action hero’ in the dictionary and you’ll find one name - Bruce Lee.




    He overcame racism, stereotypes and challenge after challenge to become the world’s first Asian international film icon.




    Stephanie Okupniak enters the world of martial arts to tell the story of Bruce’s extraordinary life with the help of friend and co-star Bob Wall and students Patrick Strong and Leo Fong. 




    In part one, we find out how a young immigrant would *literally* fight to become a household name. 

    • 37 min
    Hubert de Givenchy

    Hubert de Givenchy

    Hubert de Givenchy crafted exquisite, haute couture creations that made women feel powerful, beautiful - and one of a kind. 




    One of the founding fathers of high fashion, the designer’s legacy is unwavering almost 70 years after the birth of the Maison de Givenchy. 




    Medical Philanthropist, fashion icon & lifelong friend Deeda Blair takes Stephanie Okupniak back in time to the decadent fashion houses of 1950’s Paris - and inside the life of a visionary that changed the industry, one stitch at a time. 

    • 41 min
    Harper Lee

    Harper Lee

    What does it take to write the great American novel?




    Harper Lee’s defining work - To Kill a Mockingbird - has stood the test of time. 




    Surrounded by racism, segregation and injustice growing up in rural Alabama, Lee’s experiences shaped what would go on to become a literary classic. 




    Stephanie Okupniak goes inside her life - and friendship with Truman Capote - with the help of biographer Charles Shields and author Greg Neri.

    • 55 min
    Margot Kidder

    Margot Kidder

    Margot Kidder was an actress, an activist, a daredevil, an outspoken campaigner - but first and foremost - a mother.




    In her role as Lois Lane she set the benchmark for fierce, feminist leading ladies. 




    Stephanie Okupniak goes inside her tumultuous life with the help of brother John Kidder and close friend Rosie Shuster.

    • 51 min
    Gene Wilder

    Gene Wilder

    There are some performers that just seem frozen in time.




    Hold your breath, make a wish, count to three - and let us take you inside the life of one of Hollywood’s most hypnotic stars - Gene Wilder.




    But he was so much more than Willy Wonka, than Frederick Frankenstein, than Leo Bloom.




    Gene’s beloved nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman joins Stephanie Okupniak to honour the legacy of this movie icon.

    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

3.8 out of 5
82 Ratings

82 Ratings

mrstench ,

Delving into the details of the dearly departed

When we think of our heroes, we sometimes forget they were humans too. ALL doesn’t: highs and lows, epic masterstrokes and amusing minutiae, all the things that go to make an artist like Amy who she was. Looking forward to the Carrie Fisher episode.

Kevin’s Listening ,

Superb !

Eagerly awaiting more episodes as i binged on the first two in one go - these are superb snapshots into the lives and loves of icons of our time.

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Miss Me?
BBC Sounds
Things Fell Apart
BBC Radio 4
Life with Nat
Keep It Light Media
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Spotify Studios
The Royals with Roya and Kate
The Times
Modern Wisdom
Chris Williamson

You Might Also Like

Dan Snow's History Hit
History Hit
Desert Island Discs
BBC Radio 4
Evil Genius with Russell Kane
BBC Sounds
ID10T with Chris Hardwick
Chris Hardwick
British Scandal
Wondery
Terribly Famous
Wondery

More by audioBoom

Blank Check with Griffin & David
Blank Check Productions
Crime Weekly
Audioboom Studios
Baby Mamas No Drama with Kail Lowry & Vee Rivera
PodcastOne
Soundtracking with Edith Bowman
Edith Bowman
Sue Perkins: An hour or so with...
Audioboom Studios
Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder
Duende Productions and Flameflower Studios