Episode 68 - Hollywood's First Who-Dunnit: William Desmond Taylor

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 Walsh, previously a successful hotel developer, channeled his grief into creating these essential systems—founding the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, pioneering missing children images on milk cartons, and establishing "Code Adam" protocols now used in thousands of retail stores nationwide.But Walsh's most visible legacy came through television. By creating and hosting "America's Most Wanted," he transformed crime-fighting from a passive spectator sport into an interactive nationwide manhunt where everyday citizens became crucial partners in bringing fugitives to justice. The show's success was staggering: over 1,600 fugitives captured, including serial killers, child predators, and terrorists. More importantly, it helped recover over 60 abducted children alive—saving countless families from experiencing the same devastation the Walshes endured.The impact extends far beyond television. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 created comprehensive national standards for sex offender registration, while the Walsh family's advocacy directly influenced how law enforcement, businesses, and communities respond when children go missing. Through unimaginable pain, they forged systems that now protect millions.Listen as we explore this pivotal moment in American justice and how one family's tragedy became the catalyst for a safer nation. Their story reminds us that sometimes the most powerful social change emerges from our darkest moments.Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

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 to make ends meet - a psychological torture that drove many toward destructive paths.We unpack how the series began with Hal Roach, a former paper boy to Mark Twain who created groundbreaking entertainment showing black and white children playing together during the Jim Crow era. Yet this progressive façade masked troubling realities – stage parents fostering racial tensions, exploitative financial arrangements, and a work environment that took a toll on everyone involved.From the suspicious poisoning of Pete the Pup to "Chubby" Chaney's heart failure at 18, "Froggy" Laughlin's deadly newspaper route, and "Weezer" surviving WWII only to die in a training exercise, the pattern of tragedy seems endless. While Roach lived to 100, dismissing any notion of a curse, the statistical improbability of so many early and violent deaths raises questions about the true price of childhood stardom in Hollywood's golden age.What happens when the spotlight fades but the camera keeps rolling? Listen now to discover the haunting legacy of Hollywood's most beloved child ensemble and decide for yourself - coincidence or curse?Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

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 Beatles album covers and songs played backward. Then there's the notorious Richard Gere gerbil rumor – a story so persistent it made its way into the movie "Scream" and prompted Barbara Walters herself to awkwardly address it during an interview.From Mr. Rogers' supposed secret life as a deadly military sniper to the enduring debate about Bert and Ernie's relationship status, we explore why these myths take hold and what they reveal about our culture. The team brings their trademark humor to these dark corners of entertainment history, finding the humanity and absurdity beneath stories that wouldn't die. Whether you're hearing these tales for the first time or fondly remember sharing them on your middle school playground, this episode will make you question what other "facts" you've accepted without evidence.Subscribe now and join our community of curious minds exploring entertainment's strangest corners. Leave a review to tell us your favorite Hollywood urban legend – we might feature it in a future episode!Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

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 became Juilliard's youngest-ever drama student, displaying the singular focus that would define his career.Kilmer's method approach yielded unforgettable performances – from the cold, calculated Iceman in "Top Gun" to his transformative embodiment of Jim Morrison that fooled even The Doors themselves. As Doc Holliday in "Tombstone," he delivered perhaps his most beloved performance, crafting a character of lethal charm and vulnerability. Yet his perfectionism and intensity earned him a reputation as "difficult" that eventually overshadowed his undeniable talent, leading to professional exile just when he seemed unstoppable.When Hollywood turned away, Kilmer reinvented himself through a deeply personal one-man show about his hero Mark Twain. Then came the cruelest twist – throat cancer that robbed him of his powerful voice through treatment that saved his life but permanently altered it. Even in this devastating setback, Kilmer showed remarkable resilience, embracing technology to preserve his voice through AI and making a poignant return in "Top Gun: Maverick" that acknowledged his real-life struggle.In his own words: "I have behaved poorly, I have behaved bravely, I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets." Val Kilmer's legacy transcends his filmography – it's a testament to artistic commitment, personal reinvention, and the courage to face life's harshest challenges without surrendering your essential self.Join Kyle Ploof, Ben Kissel and Alejandro Dowling as they raise a toast to the man, the legend: Mr. Val Kilmer.Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

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 defined by circumstance. From those grainy, 240p YouTube videos emerged a cultural phenomenon who would eventually headline primetime network television events, becoming the first true crossover star from internet fame to legitimate combat sports.What makes Kimbo's story so compelling isn't just how he fought opponents in the cage but how he battled against skeptics who dismissed him as a YouTube novelty. Despite Dana White's initial criticism, Kimbo's authenticity and drawing power ultimately forced the fighting world to take him seriously. His transitions between MMA and boxing demonstrated versatility that defied expectations, culminating in an undefeated 7-0 professional boxing record.The tragedy of Kimbo's premature death at 42 from heart failure adds poignancy to his legacy—a reminder that sometimes the hardest fights happen outside the ring. Yet what remains isn't just highlight reels of knockouts but the blueprint of how determination can transform someone from sleeping in a car to headlining arenas.Want to hear more untold stories from the entertainment world? Subscribe to Death in Entertainment for weekly deep dives into the figures who shaped our culture in unexpected ways.Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

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 multi-million dollar empire spanning music, fashion, and beauty. Her boutiques "Selena Etc." were generating over $5 million, her concerts sold out stadiums, and she was on the cusp of a breakthrough English-language album that would have certainly catapulted her to global superstardom.The devastating irony of Selena's story lies in how her greatest strengths – her trust, loyalty, and generous spirit – created the circumstances for her downfall. Yolanda Saldivar, a seemingly devoted fan who became Selena's close friend and business associate, methodically exploited that trust. When confronted about embezzling nearly $30,000 from Selena's fan club and boutiques, Saldivar responded not with remorse but with violence, ending a brilliant life and career that had only begun to realize its potential.Looking back at what Selena accomplished in just 23 years, we can only imagine what her legacy might have become. Her posthumous crossover album "Dreaming of You" debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, confirming what those close to her already knew – Selena wasn't just going to cross over to mainstream success; she was poised to redefine it entirely. Her story reminds us how fragile life can be, how carefully we must guard our trust, and how a voice silenced too soon can still echo powerfully across generations.Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

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!Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

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 rescued in time.The episode takes an even more disturbing turn with Joseph Martinez, known to his followers as "Jupiter Joe." Behind his wholesome facade as a sidewalk astronomer bringing the wonders of the cosmos to Bronx residents lurked a horrific secret. DNA evidence eventually linked him to the 1999 murder of a 13-year-old girl, revealing how effectively online personas can conceal the darkest of pasts.We also delve into the chilling case of two South Korean streamers whose online rivalry escalated to real-world violence, culminating in a fatal stabbing outside a courthouse that was inadvertently broadcast to thousands of viewers. And the tragic story of competitive Madden gamer David Katz shows how the pressure of e-sports competition, combined with untreated mental health issues, led to a devastating mass shooting at a gaming tournament.These harrowing tales serve as powerful reminders that behind every channel, stream, and online persona exists a real person with complex motivations, personal demons, and sometimes dangerous capabilities. As we consume online content, perhaps we should consider not just what we're watching, but who we're allowing into our digital lives—and what darkness might lurk behind the subscribe button.Join us for this unsettling but essential journey into the troubling intersection of internet fame and real-world tragedy. Is the pursuit of digital celebrity worth the potential cost? The stories we share might make you think twice before hitting that like button.Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment

Join us as we pay homage to the late, great Gene Hackman and search for answers today on Death in Entertainment.Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling 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.Send us a message!Persons of InterestFrom murderers to money launderers, thieves to thugs – police officers from the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showDeath in Entertainment is hosted by Kyle Ploof, Alejandro Dowling and Ben Kissel.New episodes every week!https://linktr.ee/deathinentertainment