Best Heath Ledger Podcasts (2025)

1
Bonus Episode: From the Great Train Robbery to Natural Born Killers, How Movie Culture Is Crime Culture 36:19

Play Pause

26m ago36:19

36:19

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about the ways in which crime, criminals, corruption, and redemption always have and always will be at the core of the moviegoing experience. What crime film do you think holds a mirror up to a specific moment in history? Call or text (617) 906-6638, email [email protected], or reach out on socials…

1
Humphrey Bogart: Mob Assassins, Rat Packs, and the Downfall of Murder, Inc. 39:40

2d ago39:40

39:40

Murder for hire. Murder for business. Murder for profit. In the 1940s, a crew called Murder, Inc. protected the interests of the Commission, a collective of American gangsters who banded together to run the American underworld like a legit business. Murder, Inc. thugs shot, stabbed, and strangled upwards of 1,000 snitches who dared rat on the mob. …

1
Going Streeping! (Part V) with the Fade to Black Podcast 1:20:38

9h ago1:20:38

1:20:38

In this episode of A Take on the Academy, Sprosty is joined by Imani and Sunflower B. Rose from Fade to Black Podcast to revisit the 1999 Oscars and ask the unthinkable: should Meryl Streep really have been nominated for Music of the Heart? Together, they take a deep dive into the performances of that year’s standout actresses — from Diane Lane’s q…

1
131. When J.R.R. Tolkien Met Edith Bratt TEASER 7:42

1d ago7:42

7:42

We wanted to cover a couple in the fantasy world…but that’s tricky to do when our podcast is only about real-life couples! Thankfully, there is a beautiful love story behind the creator of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: the story of J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Bratt. Tolkien and Edith’s love story began as star-crossed lovers, and their separat…

1
Bonus Episode: Gangsters and Movie Stars, Deliver Me from Nowhere, and Days of Heaven 36:58

7d ago36:58

36:58

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about Al Capone and Howard Hawks, James Caan and the Colombo crime family, and the mob’s long history in Hollywood. Plus Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Santana’s “Winning,” the 90-minute epic Days of Heaven, going into brain overdrive with Underworld, and more. And tell us: what is the most underrat…

1
Lana Turner: The Preeminent Pinup Girl, the King of Los Angeles, and the Death of Johnny Stompanato 37:30

9d ago37:30

37:30

As captivating as actress Lana Turner was on screen, her personal life off screen was more dramatic than any movie could hope to be. Her father, turning up dead over a poker pot. Her co-star, Sean Connery, throwing down with pre-Bond panache when her boyfriend threatened to beat her up. And that same boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, winding up dead in…

1
Bonus Episode: The Coroner to the Stars, Evil Dead 2, They Live, and Other Movie Blind Spots 38:00

14d ago38:00

38:00

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about the so-called “Coroner to the Stars,” Thomas Noguchi, who famously performed autopsies on Marilyn Monroe, Sharon Tate, Janis Joplin, and this week’s Hollywoodland subject, Natalie Wood. Also, you guys bring the fall movie recommendations and we’re talking movie blind spots. What are some of the movie…

1
Natalie Wood: Secrets, Prophecies, Pills, and When the Wrong Dreams Come True 40:03

16d ago40:03

40:03

Natalie Wood was one of the most loved child stars of the silver screen in the mid-20th century, and the rare celebrity who was able to transition gracefully into grown-up roles all while maintaining an air of dignity and grace. She acted alongside Orson Welles, James Dean, Warren Beatty, and Bette Davis, and many of her roles remain iconic decades…

1
How to Set Yourself on Fire* And Win an Academy Award (*Don't) 59:55

17d ago59:55

59:55

In this blazing episode of A Take on the Academy, Matt Sprosty and MC sit down with Academy Award and Emmy winner Jayson Duminego — the mind behind Action Factory and a driving force in modern stunt innovation. From his groundbreaking fire gel technology, which has changed the way film sets handle full-scale burns, to his lifelong journey in the st…

1
130. When Natalia Dyer Met Charlie Heaton 1:32:42

15d ago1:32:42

1:32:42

Stranger Things has been on for so long, Obama was president when it first aired. But it’s finally (sadly) entering its final season this November. So let’s talk about the show’s real-life couple, who have been dating for over ten years behind the scenes: Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton! Known for playing teens Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers in t…

1
Bonus Episode: Sal Mineo’s Killer, Fall Albums, and Mr. Scorsese Oct 22, 2025 38:11

21d ago38:11

38:11

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about the latest news surrounding the man convicted of murdering actor Sal Mineo, plus your favorite fall albums, and getting a glimpse of the artist’s brain in the Mr. Scorsese series. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you want t…

1
Sal Mineo: Street Gangs, Ouija Boards, and Unabashed Pride 42:56

23d ago42:56

42:56

James Dean’s co-star in Rebel Without a Cause was an early trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community in Hollywood. Over the years he was harassed, heckled, and had his life threatened – just for being himself. When he was mysteriously murdered at the age of 37, the 15-month investigation exposed just how deep intolerance ran in the hearts and minds of m…

1
Bonus Episode: Remembering Diane Keaton, Movie Curses, and Clint Eastwood the Singing Cowboy 32:58

28d ago32:58

32:58

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is looking back on the career of Diane Keaton, who recently passed away at the age of 79. He’s also looking for your favorite movies about musicians. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you want to tell us! Call or text (617) 906-6638, email d…

1
Poltergeist Curse: Paranormal Activity, a Plane Crash, and Murder 41:45

1M ago41:45

41:45

Four different actors from the 1980s horror franchise Poltergeist died within a 6-year span. Dominique Dunne was murdered. Julian Beck succumbed to stomach cancer. Will Sampson suffered from a degenerative disease. And Heather O’Rourke’s death at the age of 12, was deemed “distinctly unusual.” Was it an eerie coincidence...or something more siniste…

1
Did Heath Ledger Deserve Best Supporting Actor for "The Dark Knight"? 1:32:20

1M ago1:32:20

1:32:20

In this episode of A Take on the Academy, we dive into one of the most unforgettable Oscar races of all time: 2008’s Best Supporting Actor. Did the Academy make the right call in giving Heath Ledger the award for his chilling, iconic performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight—or should Robert Downey Jr.’s fearless turn in Tropic Thunder have taken…

1
129. When Angelina Jolie Met Billy Bob Thorton TEASER 8:22

29d ago8:22

8:22

Vials of blood…that’s probably your main association with Billy Bob Thorton and Angelina Jolie, right? In the spirit of spooky season, Mel tells the tale of this 2000s Gothic couple. He was a 45-year-old, late bloomer “hillbilly” from Arkansas on his fifth marriage. She was a beautiful, brooding 25-year-old Hollywood “nepo baby” on her second. All …

1
Bonus Episode: Are Movies Dead? Plus PTA Favorites and Zemeckis Goes Full Hitchcock 40:02

29d ago40:02

40:02

By Double Elvis

1
Anna Nicole Smith: Methadone, a Murder Plot, and a Fate Like Marilyn’s 36:47

1M ago36:47

36:47

Anna Nicole Smith transcended the laws of celebrity. She was a blonde sexpot who was famous for being famous, and that was reason enough for pop culture. People around the world recognized her Marilyn Monroe-esque curves filled out Guess jeans, and her squeaky baby speaking voice on The Anna Nicole Show. In the early 2000s, the FBI investigated her…

1
Bonus Episode - Robert Mitchum Sings, European Screen Beauties, and Punk and Disco Collide in One Battle After Another 43:46

1M ago43:46

43:46

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about Robert Mitchum’s eternal attitude, swagger, defiance, and his unexpected singing career. Plus RIP Claudia Cardinale, Herbie Hancock film scores, and ranking Paul Thomas Anderson movies. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you …

1
Robert Mitchum: Reefer Madness, a Daring Escape from a Chain Gang, and Not Giving a Damn 41:29

1M ago41:29

41:29

Robert Mitchum was famously busted for marijuana in the 1940s before his career had really taken off. Not so famous is how he managed to save his legacy, and his life: with the unlikely help of one of the most powerful men in the world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn…

1
HISTIE QUICKIE: The Bet that Made Film 15:12

2M ago15:12

15:12

Host Matthew Sprosty kicks off Quickie History — bite-sized dives into the wild beginnings of film — with a story that has it all: money, science, photography, and a galloping horse. In 1872, California tycoon Leland Stanford made a bet: Does a horse ever lift all four hooves off the ground while running? To prove it, he hired eccentric photographe…

1
Bonus Episode: Paul Newman’s Best Films, Erotic Thrillers, and Would You Do THAT for a Million Bucks? 40:26

2M ago40:26

40:26

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about the legacy of Paul Newman, erotic thrillers from the ‘90s, strange burials, Netflix’s Black Rabbit, and more. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you want to tell us! Call or text (617) 906-6638, email [email protected]…

1
Paul Newman: Fast Cars, Cold Beers, and Forgotten Memories 38:15

2M ago38:15

38:15

Paul Newman didn’t race cars to outrun his demons. His past was easily kept at bay, like the World War II memories he didn’t want to think about. But like many actors of his generation, the Brando generation, Paul Newman wanted to act like he wasn’t acting. And to do that, he had to tap into real emotions. Forgotten memories. Demons and all. Or so …

1
128. When Paul Newman Met Joanne Woodward 1:58:27

2M ago1:58:27

1:58:27

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s 50-year marriage is arguably Hollywood’s most enduring real-life love story. Regarded as the “Last Movie Stars” of the Golden Era, they worked together on 16 films and shared a combined 14 Academy Award nominations. A rarity in showbusiness, they somehow managed to maintain their deep chemistry and friendship all w…

1
Bonus Episode: R.I.P. Robert Redford, Sophisticated Cinema, and Johnny Depp’s Best Oddball Outlaw 42:34

2M ago42:34

42:34

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about the passing of Robert Redford and how movies inform our memories, and also crazy director resumes and iconic onscreen duos. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you want to tell us! Call or text (617) 906-6638, email disgracela…

1
Johnny Depp: Homemade Bombs, Bootleg Quaaludes, and Unsolved Disappearances 40:33

2M ago40:33

40:33

Johnny Depp prefers the shadows to the limelight, whether he’s building a bomb with Hunter S. Thompson in the Rocky Mountains, or downing bootleg quaaludes laced with arsenic. After emerging as the leading art flick actor of the 1990s, prodding paparazzi’s desire to paint him as a “novelty boy” often drove him to outbursts that ended in arrests, wr…

1
Did "LOTR: The Return of the King" Deserve Best Picture? 2:10:12

2M ago2:10:12

2:10:12

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King swept the 2004 Academy Awards, tying the record with 11 wins—including Best Picture. But two decades later, does it deserve the crown? Matt, Kyle, and Andy break down why ROTK dominated, what the Academy was really voting for, and which 2003 films may have been more deserving. Expect spi…

1
Bonus Episode: Script Doctors, Car Chase Movies, and the Badass Carrie Fisher 41:31

2M ago41:31

41:31

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about Hollywood icon Carrie Fisher and her little-known side hustle as an uncredited script doctor. Also lots of talk about best car chase movies, Michael Jackson’s “Bad” video, Spike Lee’s latest, and much more. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollyw…

1
Carrie Fisher: Acid in the Desert, Snakes in the Amazon, and More Postcards from the Edge 36:20

2M ago36:20

36:20

Carrie Fisher once dropped acid in the desert with Paul Simon. She did ayahuasca in the Amazon jungle, where she was attacked by a giant snake that may or may not have been real. She did so much cocaine that legendary partyman John Belushi told her to ease up. Her mood swings were such a dramatic part of her personality that she gave them their own…

1
127. When Michelle Williams Met Heath Ledger TEASER 6:48

2M ago6:48

6:48

In this week’s Patreon episode, Kaitlyn's covering a couple that was once called “Mr. and Mrs. Brooklyn” by the New York Times in 2007: Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger. From falling in love on the set of Brokeback Mountain, to becoming first time parents a year later, Heath and Michelle’s fairy tale love story appeared to have all the makings of…

1
Bonus Episode: A Labor Day Emergency, Robert Altman, Scorsese Top 5 Revisited, and ABBA 42:34

2M ago42:34

42:34

On this week’s Wrap Party, Zeth is talking about a Robert Altman retrospective, controversial Martin Scorsese Top 5 lists, Jack Nicholson, ABBA, and much more. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you want to tell us! Call or text (617) 906-6638, email [email protected]…

1
Charlie Chaplin: Japanese Assassins, Murder on a Yacht, and a Stolen Corpse 39:24

2M ago39:24

39:24

Charlie Chaplin was a wanted man. Not just by moviegoing audiences that made him one of the biggest stars of the silent and talkie eras. And not just by governments who questioned his politics. He was nearly murdered by a jealous lover, and was likely the intended target of a homicide aboard the yacht of the wealthiest man in America. He survived n…

1
Season 6 Trailer 1:47

3M ago1:47

1:47

Get ready for another year of bold debates, deep dives, and unfiltered conversations about the Academy Awards. This season, host Matthew Sprosty takes you beyond the red carpet — from rewriting Oscar history to exploring overlooked performances, hidden Hollywood stories, and the changing face of cinema. Whether you’re a die-hard Oscars fan or love …

1
Bonus Episode: Devo, Music Documentaries, Child Actors, and Herbie Hancock 39:33

3M ago39:33

39:33

This week, Zeth and Jake are talking about the new Devo documentary on Netflix, which begs the question: is Devo the greatest punk rock band of all time? Plus, movie and music recommendations inspired by this week’s Lindsay Lohan episode. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that …

1
Lindsay Lohan: Morgues, Ankle Bracelets, and an Addiction to Chaos 39:43

3M ago39:43

39:43

Lindsay Lohan’s arrest record is overcrowded with charges involving theft, cocaine, and the transportation of narcotics. The one-time Disney queen bee shattered her Mercedes and her good girl reputation with back-to-back DUIs when her career was at its peak. After appearing in court 20 times in the span of five years, Lindsay’s acting opportunities…

1
126. When Frida Kahlo Met Diego Rivera 2:08:43

3M ago2:08:43

2:08:43

In 1929, their marriage was likened to that between “an elephant and a dove.” But in the years following, their relationship would go on to prove far more complicated than their dissimilar appearances would reveal— and far more explosive. In this extra long episode of Significant Lovers, we unravel the intoxicatingly toxic relationship between Mexi…

1
Bonus Episode: Continued Confusion over Moe Greene, Mo Rocca, and Alex Rocco 44:00

3M ago44:00

44:00

This week in the Wrap Party, Jake and Zeth are discussing the differences between Moe Greene, Mo Rocca, and Alex Rocco. Plus ‘70s crime films, Sinatra at the Sands, and what if Old Blue Eyes sang songs by Helmet? Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you want to tell us! We wa…

1
Alex Rocco: A Mob Murder, a Boston Gang War, and Leaving Winter Hill for the Corleones 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

Organized crime. A brutal assault that kicked off a gang war. Car bombs. The brazen assassination of a mob boss in broad daylight. These things all happened in Francis Ford Coppola’s groundbreaking film The Godfather – but first they happened in the real life of Alex Rocco, one-time Boston gang member turned Hollywood character actor whose star tur…

1
Bonus Episode: Harrison Ford, Weapons, and Top 10 Westerns 50:33

3M ago50:33

50:33

This week in the Wrap Party, Zeth and Jake talk about music and movie recommendations related to Harrison Ford, plus Zach Cregger’s new movie Weapons, great Westerns, stacks of books to be read, and more. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and any insane story from Hollywood history that you want to tell us! Call or text …

1
Harrison Ford: Smashing Bottles, Slinging Weed, and Partying with the Stones 36:32

3M ago36:32

36:32

If someone had told Harrison Ford the odds early on, about his chances of making it as an actor in Hollywood, he may have given up. But he wasn’t an odds kinda guy. He was a guy who did what he had to do to make it. Sometimes that meant swinging a hammer and working as a carpenter on the houses of James Caan and Joan Didion. Other times he found wo…

1
125. When Leonard Cohen Met Marianne Ihlen TEASER 8:11

3M ago8:11

8:11

We were in actual tears by the end of this episode. Kel takes us back to 1960 on the remote island of Hydra, where singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen first met and fell in love with Marianne Ihlen, a young mother from Norway. Although their paths didn’t stay aligned forever, Leonard and Marianne never quite forgot each other– even in their very last d…

1
Dark Horse Westerns, Bad Moms, and Joan Crawford 41:58

3M ago41:58

41:58

This week in the Wrap Party, Zeth and Jake are talking about digging up some crazy, unexpected stories about Joan Crawford, plus music and movie recommendations inspired by the Hollywood icon, and suggest starting a support group for those who mistake Vin Diesel for Walter Matthau. Join the party and get in touch with your recs, your reviews, and a…

1
Joan Crawford: Stag Films, Dead Presidents, and No Wire Hangers 39:11

3M ago39:11

39:11

Joan Crawford once threatened the director of the FBI when she wanted an old stag film destroyed. She accepted an Oscar that wasn’t hers for the sole purpose to get revenge on her co-star. She wrote her daughter out of her will, before she knew the kid was about to permanently ruin her legacy. But how did she wind up at a party with Richard Nixon, …

1
Bonus Episode: The Greatest Movies of the 21st Century and the Greatest Comeback Stories 55:55

4M ago55:55

55:55

This week in the Wrap Party, Zeth and Jake are talking about the New York Times’ list of the 100 greatest movies of the 21st century (so far), the greatest Hollywood comeback stories, and recommendations for music and movies inspired by this week’s full episode subject, Robert Downey Jr. Zeth and Jake want to hear from you. What are your favorite m…

1
Robert Downey Jr.: Running on Empty, Rock Bottom, and Ironclad Resolve 41:21

4M ago41:21

41:21

The man who would be Iron Man was once an unreliable and uninsurable actor who lived many years at the bottom in a haze of drugs and alcohol. His transformation into the highest-paid actor in Hollywood is truly one of the most remarkable stories in the City of Angels. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.au…

1
124. When Gwyneth Paltrow Met Chris Martin 1:49:03

4M ago1:49:03

1:49:03

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton gave us the term “paparazzi.” JLo and Ben Affleck gave us combined couple names like ‘Bennifer.’ And thanks to Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, we will always have “consciously uncoupling.” Way back in episode 11, Kell covered Gwyneth Paltrow and her long-forgotten fiancé, Brad Pitt. Now over 100 episodes later,…

1
Bonus Episode: Jayne Mansfield, Robert Downey Jr., Myth Busting, and Dates with the Devil 39:14

4M ago39:14

39:14

This week in the Wrap Party, Zeth and Jake are talking about the kinds of roles that Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t take on anymore, plus they share some of their music and movie recommendations inspired by this week’s episode subject, Jayne Mansfield, and her connection to the Church of Satan. Zeth and Jake want to hear from you. What are your devilish…

1
Jayne Mansfield: Nude Scenes, Satan’s Slave, and a Gruesome Death 37:19

4M ago37:19

37:19

Whether she was filming Hollywood’s first major nude scenes, or posing against a backdrop of Satanic skulls and pentagrams, Jayne Mansfield lived for exhibitionism. As a leading sexpot of the 1950s, Jayne was a genius, a bombshell, and a mother in an industry that demanded women be single, dumb, and blonde. When people whispered that Jayne lived in…

1
Bonus Episode: The Next Brando, Hearts of Darkness, and Memories of Madonna 53:23

4M ago53:23

53:23

This week in the Wrap Party, Zeth and Jake are talking about the legacy of Marlon Brando, cinematic descents into the jungle, and your recommendations for sweaty summer movies and classic movie soundtracks. Next week, get ready for our episode on Jayne Mansfield. In the meantime, Zeth and Jake want to hear from you. What sweaty summer movie gets yo…

1
Marlon Brando: A Fake Kidnapping Gone Wrong, Jungle Madness, and a Dead Boyfriend 34:47

4M ago34:47

34:47

Marlon Brando once broke a paparazzo’s jaw with one punch. He hired private investigators to find his son when a fake kidnapping went horribly wrong. He nearly sank an already doomed film shoot all by himself when he arrived in the Philippines overweight, underprepared, and demanding millions of dollars. And at the very moment he was trying to resu…