11 episodes

Actor Michael Nathanson (the late Agent Sam Stein on Netflix’s “Marvel’s The Punisher”) explores the deaths (and lives) of television and film’s most iconic characters in this interview podcast. 
“Playing Dead” features actors and creators who share their first-hand experience of what it’s really like to bring life, and subsequently death, to these quintessential roles.
This one-of-a kind podcast is a mashup of the celebration of geekdom, and the eulogy the actors never were able to give for their legendary characters.
Our favorite characters never really die, they live in the hearts and minds of fans for generations to come. 
And as they say in the comic world, you’re never truly dead.
Series artwork by Pat Leonard.

Playing Dead Lionsgate Sound

    • TV & Film
    • 4.7 • 50 Ratings

Actor Michael Nathanson (the late Agent Sam Stein on Netflix’s “Marvel’s The Punisher”) explores the deaths (and lives) of television and film’s most iconic characters in this interview podcast. 
“Playing Dead” features actors and creators who share their first-hand experience of what it’s really like to bring life, and subsequently death, to these quintessential roles.
This one-of-a kind podcast is a mashup of the celebration of geekdom, and the eulogy the actors never were able to give for their legendary characters.
Our favorite characters never really die, they live in the hearts and minds of fans for generations to come. 
And as they say in the comic world, you’re never truly dead.
Series artwork by Pat Leonard.

    Live from L.A. Comic Con with Keith David (The Thing, Nope, + More)

    Live from L.A. Comic Con with Keith David (The Thing, Nope, + More)

    With an impressive resume of over 20 on-screen deaths, Michael interviews legendary actor Keith David LIVE from the 2022 L.A. Comic Con main stage.
    And for the first time ever on Playing Dead, Keith reads his own character’s eulogies from 'The Thing,' 'They Live,' 'Princess and the Frog' and 'Nope.'
    Playing Dead is a Lionsgate Sound podcast, engineered by Pilgrim Media.
    Check out http://lionsgatesound.com for more.
    Listen to and follow A Nation For Thieves: https://link.chtbl.com/anationforthieves?sid=pd
    Listen to and follow Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord: https://link.chtbl.com/survivingelchapo?sid=pd
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 34 min
    Bonus Episode Teaser

    Bonus Episode Teaser

    Hello Playing Dead listeners! Last week was supposed to be the final episode of Season One, but guess what? Next week, there will be a special bonus episode, recorded live at L.A. Comic Con.
    Listen to this teaser for a hint on who the special guest will be, and stay tuned for next week's exciting bonus episode!
    Playing Dead is a Lionsgate Sound podcast, engineered by Pilgrim Media.
    Check out http://lionsgatesound.com for more.
    Listen to and follow A Nation For Thieves: https://link.chtbl.com/anationforthieves?sid=pd
    Listen to and follow Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord: https://link.chtbl.com/survivingelchapo?sid=pd
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 40 sec
    Star Wars

    Star Wars

    For our final episode this season, we decided to tear apart the latex, untangle the strings and disconnect the remote controls to explore what it takes to create, and then kill, the intricate creatures in the Star Wars universe. Michael is joined by Paul Blake, who, as Greedo, performed one of the most debated deaths scenes in the Star Wars franchise, and master puppeteers Mike Quinn and Dave Barclay who helped create, then subsequently kill, some of our favorite Star Wars characters including Yoda, Nien Nunb and Jabba the Hutt.  
    Playing Dead is a Lionsgate Sound podcast, engineered by Pilgrim Media.
    Check out http://lionsgatesound.com for more.
    Listen to and follow A Nation For Thieves: https://link.chtbl.com/anationforthieves?sid=pd
    Listen to and follow Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord: https://link.chtbl.com/survivingelchapo?sid=pd
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 2 hr 7 min
    Aliens

    Aliens

    'Aliens' is considered by many to be one of the best sequels ever made. For Jeanette Goldstein and Carrie Henn, it was the first time either of them had stepped foot on a film set. From being mentored by Bill Paxton, to being tethered to a smart gun made for men, Jeannette (Private Vasquez) reveals what it was like to start her film career in one of the most successful movies of the 1980’s. And from preparing for her first ever audition by buying an autograph book, to running drills with her co-stars whilst clutching her Cabbage Patch Kid, Carrie Henn (Newt) talks with Michael about how the then 8-year-old actor bonded with her famous co-star, Sigourney Weaver.
    Playing Dead is a Lionsgate Sound podcast, engineered by Pilgrim Media.
    Check out http://lionsgatesound.com for more.
    Listen to and follow A Nation For Thieves: https://link.chtbl.com/anationforthieves?sid=pd
    Listen to and follow Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord: https://link.chtbl.com/survivingelchapo?sid=pd
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 13 min
    David Dastmalchian

    David Dastmalchian

    David Dastmalchian has died in more stories than he’s survived. From being skewered in the back of the head to being poisoned by toxic gas, David has experienced it all. But it’s his role as Abner Krill, the soft-spoken, mother hating, polka-dot throwing member of Task Force X who gets mourned for the most. Michael and David talk all things “Suicide Squad” and how life can imitate art. 
    This episode comes with a trigger warning as there are discussions about substance abuse, depression, suicide, and suicidal ideation that may be disturbing to some listeners. 
    Playing Dead is a Lionsgate Sound podcast, engineered by Pilgrim Media.
    Check out http://lionsgatesound.com for more.
    Listen to and follow A Nation For Thieves: https://link.chtbl.com/anationforthieves?sid=pd
    Listen to and follow Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord: https://link.chtbl.com/survivingelchapo?sid=pd
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 44 min
    Ash vs Evil Dead

    Ash vs Evil Dead

    Deadites are parasitic demons who possess the recently deceased. Kelly Maxwell is a deadite killing machine who was very nearly a deadite herself. Dana DeLorenzo a/k/a Kelly Maxwell stops by tell us not only what it was like to be possessed by Lucy Lawless in “Ash vs. Evil Dead” but also how she transformed herself into one of the all-time best Amy Winehouse impressionists. Later, Steve Agee joins Michael and Dana when he stops by the studio to talk about his character Gef’s (yes, that’s Gef with a “G”) piercing death in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” And even though Sylvester Stallone gets all the credit, how Steve brought to life King Shark in “The Suicide Squad.”
    Playing Dead is a Lionsgate Sound podcast, engineered by Pilgrim Media.
    Check out http://lionsgatesound.com for more.
    Listen to and follow A Nation For Thieves: https://link.chtbl.com/anationforthieves?sid=pd
    Listen to and follow Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord: https://link.chtbl.com/survivingelchapo?sid=pd
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 7 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
50 Ratings

50 Ratings

Furbank ,

Huzzah!

This is my new favorite podcast. I love how Michael does a re-enactment of the scenes, the “Google This S*+#” segment and the eulogies. These aspects and the wonderful interviews make this a truly one of a kind listening experience.

PeytonLoftis ,

Binge-worthy Pop Culture Fun

Love this podcast! The host Michael Nathanson is funny, charming and engaging, and the interviews with actors who’ve died memorable deaths on TV and in movies are terrific. Love the format, the behind-the-scenes info, and the re-enactments by Nathanson. Highly recommend for any pop culture aficionados out there!

Mllkat ,

“Death be not Proud”…but it can be fun!

When I first heard the premise for Michael Nathanson’s new PodCast ‘Playing Dead,’ I though it was a great concept. After listening to the first two episodes, I can say that the final product has justified that belief.

Host Michael Nathanson brings a warm and comfortable vibe to the show while still displaying the enthusiasm that reveals his Geek Heritage. Whether talking to some of his compatriots in The Punisher or guests like Amanda Wyss from Nightmare on Elm Street or the original Michael Myers, Nick Castle.

Of course mentioning personal favorites like Better Off Dead, Silverado, The Last Starfighter or Big Trouble in Little China didn’t hurt. Besides, where else could you learn Tuna Salad the Amanda Wyss way? ‘Playing Dead’…that’s where.

All and all a great start with so much more to come. Can’t wait to see what’s up next.

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