Kim Kardashian, John Stamos, and more: 9 celebrity-hosted true crime podcasts

More and more celebrities are diving into the true crime podcasting space, and we’ve gathered some of our favorites. On our list, Zooey Deschanel and Jon Hamm lend their voices to retelling one of Hollywood’s wildest love stories adapted in “Love Is a Crime.” In another podcast called “American Hostage,” Jon plays a DJ held during a 63-hour radio station standoff.

On a new Spotify series, Kim Kardashian and her team investigates Kevin Keith’s case, as he maintains his innocence and has been in prison for 28 years. Hear John Stamos narrate a story from 1963 when Barry Keenan thought he could fix his life by kidnapping Frank Sinatra Jr.

If It Bleeds, It Leads

World-renowned professor of criminology Prof. David Wilson and Silent Witness and In the Footsteps of Killers star Emilia Fox uncover what’s happening behind some the most infamous crimes. On “If It Bleeds, It Leads,” hear exclusive interviews with law enforcement, investigators, offenders, and crime experts to learn about the workings of criminal minds. This series is presented by Global.

American Hostage

Jon Hamm stars as Fred Heckman, a radio reporter taken hostage by a disgruntled man named Tony Kiritsis. Tony demanded an on-air interview and tied a shotgun to his banker’s neck. While speaking with Fred and during the 63-hour standoff, we learn more about Tony’s story and how he became an anti-hero. Wondery’s “American Hostage” is an 8-episode series based on a true crime story.

Kim Kardashian’s The System: The Case of Kevin Keith

Kim Kardashian joins the podcast world with her new true crime series on Spotify. This season, Kim, Lori Rothschild, and her investigative team are covering Kevin Keith’s case. In 1994, Kevin was charged with a triple homicide and received a death sentence that was reduced to a life sentence without parole. For 28 years, Kevin is still in prison, and he maintains his innocence. This 8-episode series investigates Kevin, the criminal justice system, and asks plenty of questions from those involved in all sides of the case.

Rabia & Ellyn Solve the Case

Comedian Ellyn Marsh and attorney/author/activist Rabia Chaudry team up on Kast Media’s new series to discuss their favorite true crime cases. The co-hosts are joined by celebrity guests to view cases from new perspectives and share any updates that have broken in recent years. Rabia was Adnan Syed’s childhood friend, and “Serial’s” first season centered on his story. Rabia wrote a New York Times best-selling book about the case, Adnan’s Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial.

SNAFU with Ed Helms

Actor Ed Helms covers America’s greatest mess-ups on “SNAFU’s” weekly episodes. In Season 1, tune in to hear about a NATO military exercise in 1983 that nearly sparked a nuclear war, Able Archer 83. Ed explains Ronald Wilson Reagan and Yuri Andropov’s decision to launch nukes, chats with folks involved in the snafu, and more.

The Grand Scheme: Snatching Sinatra

In 1963, Barry Keenan felt his life was broken and thought he could redeem himself by executing a crime. Barry claimed God’s voice broadcasted over the radio in his car and instructed him to kidnap Frank Sinatra Jr. In “The Grand Scheme: Snatching Sinatra,” John Stamos narrates the crime, and Barry also joins the podcast to share the story in his own words.

The First Degree

Jac Vanek, Alexis Linkletter, and Billy Jensen cover stories from your nightmares including murders, cults, kidnappings, and conspiracies told by a guest who was just a step away from the story. Tune in for episodes on serial killers, unknown murders, and more true crime-adjacent stories on “The First Degree.”

Love Is a Crime

“Love Is a Crime” is a film history podcast starring Zooey Deschanel and Jon Hamm. In one of the craziest Hollywood scandals, Hollywood producer Walter Wanger went to prison for shooting an agent in 1951. Walter believed this agent was having an affair with Joan Bennett, his actress wife. After the drama, Walter was welcomed back to Hollywood with open arms while Joan’s career folded.

Joan was a film noir femme fatale in the 1940s who took the fall for her husband’s crimes. In this 10-episode podcast presented by Vanity Fair and Cadence13, hear from Joan and Walter’s granddaughter/filmmaker Vanessa Hope and film historian/podcaster Karina Longworth (“You Must Remember This“).

The Untold Story: Criminal Injustice

Hosted by Jay Ellis and Travon Free, “The Untold Story: Criminal Injustice” dove into America’s criminal justice system for the first 2 seasons. In the latest season, the podcast investigates 3 cases of injustice. We’ll hear how we can improve the humanitarian crisis at Rikers Island, why tax money funds software that leads to over policing, and the racist roots of the term “excited delirium.” Travon speaks with people who have experienced these scenarios in real life, interviews lawyers, city officials, organizers, and more to learn how society can hold institutions accountable.