Obituary Today

Today, on Obituary, the life of John Craig Venter: an impatient, often infuriating disruptor who forced biology to move faster — and made the rest of us ask who should control the code of life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Malouf, one of Australia’s most important writers and a towering figure of world literature, has died in Queensland at the age of 92, after a lifetime devoted to poetry, fiction, essays and opera. Today’s episode of Obituary Today remembers the life and work of David George Joseph Malouf – novelist, poet, essayist, librettist and, for many, a national treasure.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Anthony Mason, former Chief Justice of Australia and one of the defining jurists of the modern era, has died in Sydney at the age of 100, passing away on 17 March 2026 just weeks shy of his 101st birthday. His leadership of the High Court during a period of profound constitutional and social change reshaped Australian law, from native title and the external affairs power to the implied freedom of political communication.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is an obituary for one of the most recognisable action stars and martial artists of the last half‑century. Chuck Norris — screen icon, karate champion, and the unflappable Ranger of prime‑time television — has died at the age of 86.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1989 until his death, Khamenei held ultimate authority over the country’s political, military and religious institutions for more than three decades.Elevated to the role after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, he became commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the final decision-maker on Iran’s nuclear programme and foreign policy. His tenure reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics. He strengthened the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and backed the so-called "axis of resistance" across Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Relations with the West oscillated between confrontation and negotiation, including the 2015 nuclear deal and its collapse following the US withdrawal in 2018.At home, his rule was marked by recurring unrest, from the 2009 Green Movement to the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests, each met with force and widespread arrests. Supporters viewed him as a guardian of revolutionary ideals. Critics saw entrenched authoritarianism and repression. Khamenei’s leadership defined modern Iran.Listen to today’s episode of Obituary Today to explore the life and legacy of one of the most consequential political figures of the 21st century.   Produced By DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Duvall, Born 5th of January 1931, San Diego, California, USA. Died 15th of February 2026, Middleburg, Virginia, USA.One of Hollywood's most decorated yet understated screen performers of the 20th century. A Meisner-trained actor, filmmaker, and producer, Duvall made his feature film debut as as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), before embarking on a career that spanned seven decades and earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor in his role as a fading alcoholic country music singer in Tender Mercies (1983).His Oscar-nominated roles included The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), The Great Santini (1979), The Apostle (1997) - which he also wrote and directed - as well as A Civil Action (1998), and The Judge (2014)The son of an amateur actress and an Rear Admiral in the US Navy, Duvall himself joined the military in 1953, before utilising the GI Bill benefits to attend acting classes in New York City - alongside fellow future movie superstars like Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman. He is remembered as a political maverick in his personal life - often at odds with the assumed sentiments of Liberal Hollywood - although he remained much loved and respected by his colleagues and friends in the industry. Robert Duvall's story is intertwined in the American canon. A career that is defined by his sheer ability to pour himself into a diverse range of unique and culture-defining characters. Listen and learn about this remarkable career on today's episode of Obituary Today. Available to stream wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obituary Today remembers remarkable lives in rich, cinematic detail—one story at a time. Each episode is a crafted audio obituary, blending biography, cultural context, and reflection to explore why a person’s life—and death—mattered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.