Latest news with #BaseProductions
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ex-ESPN star John Brenkus' cause of death revealed after passing away last week at 54
Former ESPN host and best-selling author John Brenkus died from suicide, a medical examiner has confirmed. TMZ said that the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the tragic nature of the 54-year-old's death last week. When the Brenkus family announced the news of his passing on Sunday, they alluded to the nature of his death by saying he had been fighting depression. The statement said: 'It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away. 'John, co-founder of Base Productions, Founder of and co-creator and host of the six-time Emmy award-winning "Science," had been battling depression. 'John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025. His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.' Back in January 2023, during an interview with ex-NFL player Marcellus Wiley, Brenkus opened up on his mental health struggles. 'I fell into a very deep depression,' he said. 'I spiraled into a deep, deep depression and I was flat-out suicidal.' Brenkus revealed that his dog saved his life. '(He) came to my rescue... and in my suicidal funk, I was like: "What am I doing?" I literally picked up my phone, called my mom and said: "There's something wrong with me. I am mentally lost."' Brenkus then detailed his 'battle' for 'answers' which involved seeing multiple different psychologists and psychiatrists. Back in 2010, he wrote 'The Perfection Point: Sport Science Predicts the Fastest Man, the Highest Jump, and the Limits of Athletic Performance'.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
John Brenkus, Emmy-Winning Host Of ESPN's 'Sport Science', Dies At 54
John Brenkus, Emmy-winning host of Sport Science, has died at 54. His death was confirmed via a post on his official X account. Brenkus battled depression, losing his fight on May 31, 2025. John Brenkus, the Emmy Award-winning host and co-creator of ESPN's acclaimed series Sport Science, has died at the age of 54. The news was confirmed through a post on his official X account, which said the television personality had been battling depression. "John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025," the statement read, requesting privacy for his grieving family and friends. It also urged those struggling with depression to seek help. — John Brenkus (@johnbrenkus_) June 2, 2025 Brenkus was also the founder of and co-founder of the production company Base Productions. Widely recognised for bringing scientific insight into the world of sports, Sport Science used technology to break down athletic performance and debunk sports myths. The show first aired on FOX Sports in 2007 before moving to ESPN, where it went on to win six Emmys. In 2023, Brenkus publicly spoke about his mental health struggles in a candid conversation with his ESPN colleague and former NFL player Marcellus Wiley. Recounting a particularly dark period after he had sold his company and was living in Park City, Utah, Brenkus described experiencing severe depression and suicidal thoughts. "I was flat-out suicidal," he revealed, adding that his dog, Zeppelin, ultimately saved his life by interrupting his suicide attempt. Following that experience, Brenkus sought professional help and eventually found support through a psychiatrist in Virginia. He said at the time that he had not experienced depression since then. Wiley reposted the announcement of Brenkus' death with a brief tribute, writing "RIP" alongside prayer and heart emojis. Remembered as "an innovator, an entertainer and an educator," Brenkus leaves behind a legacy that redefined how fans understand sports through the lens of science.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Los Angeles Times
John Brenkus, risk-taking host of ‘Sport Science,' dies after battle with depression
John Brenkus, the charismatic TV host who found creative ways to get sports fans to think about science, has died, his production company, said Sunday in a statement. 'John, co-founder of Base Productions, founder of and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy Award-winning 'Sport Science,' had been battling depression,' the statement read. 'John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025.' The statement added that Brenkus' 'heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.' Brenkus grew up in Vienna, Va., and was a participant in multiple Ironman Triathlon races. Also a successful businessman and media producer, Brenkus was best known as the host of 'Sport Science.' The show aired from 2007-2017, first on Fox Sports as hour-long episodes for two seasons, then on ESPN in segment form within the network's other programs. It featured scientific experiments that tested common notions about athletes, their abilities and the capacity of the human body. In addition to the participation of numerous sports stars, Brenkus would often take part in the experiments, putting himself 'in harm's way for the sake of scientific discovery,' as ESPN once put it. 'Standing a very average 5' 8' tall, and tipping the scales at an equally average 160 pounds, Brenkus intersperses his hosting and executive producing duties on Sport Science with performances as the show's 'Everyman,' to help demonstrate what happens when a regular guy steps on the field, into the ring, or on the court with top athletes at the top of their games,' a 2009 ESPN press release stated. 'Along the way, he helps audiences understand their own physiologies and how to improve their overall performance, health and well-being.' ESPN's Randy Scott remembered his former colleague, who was reportedly 53 when he died, Monday morning on 'SportsCenter.' 'John was uniquely talented and singularly brilliant at not only analyzing sports but then translating sports and science to generations of fans in memorable ways, because John was memorable,' Scott said. '… This world was a better place with John Brenkus in it.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved TV Host Who Had Been 'Battling Depression' Unexpectedly Dies at 54
Beloved TV Host Who Had Been 'Battling Depression' Unexpectedly Dies at 54 originally appeared on Parade. Sports fans and TV fans alike are mourning the unexpected loss of Sport Science host John Brenkus. He was 54. In the evening of Sunday, June 1, the news that Brenkus has died was shared with "profound sadness" in a statement on his official account on X. "John, co-founder of Base Productions, founder of and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy Award-winning Sport Science, had been battling depression," the statement read. "John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025." The statement continued, "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help." Brenkus hosted Sport Science from the time it began in 2007, first airing on Fox Sports Networks before moving over to ESPN for its third season. The series featured professional athletes helping to test the ways that sports and science converge. Fans are sharing how much Brenkus and his work meant to them on X, and it seems like he will be incredibly missed. "This was my childhood and really helped in my love for physics and my science career I now am in," one fan wrote on X. "You will be missed." "John, you changed my entire understanding of sports. Thank you. Rest in peace," another wrote. This is such a heartbreaking loss, but it's clear that Brenkus made an impact on so many people during his short life. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Beloved TV Host Who Had Been 'Battling Depression' Unexpectedly Dies at 54 first appeared on Parade on Jun 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
John Brenkus, 'Sports Science' host and co-creator, dies at 54
John Brenkus, host and co-creator of ESPN's "Sport Science," died on Saturday, according to an announcement made on his X account Monday night. He was 54. The Emmy-award winning host had been dealing with depression, the statement said. "John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025," the post read. "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help." Brenkus was also the founder of and co-founder of Base Productions. Brenkus opened up about his depression and suicide attempt to Marcellus Wiley, ESPN colleague and former NFL player, in January 2023. He said that when he was living in Park City, Utah, after selling his company and "Sport Science," he felt isolated and spiraled into a "deep, deep depression." "I was flat out suicidal," Brenkus said. "So much so, I had a noose tied around my neck. I was ready to do it." Brenkus credits his dog, Zepplin, with rescuing him by tugging on his jeans and pulling him out of his "suicidal funk." The sports host then explained seeing multiple different psychologists and psychiatrists trying to receive help, until one doctor in Virginia helped him find the "right path." "I have never been depressed since, a day in my life, from that moment forward," Brenkus said at the time. Wiley reposted the announcement of Brenkus's death, writing "RIP" with praying and heart emojis. Brenkus's "Sport Science" series aims to uncover "sports' biggest myths and mysteries by using cutting-edge technology to measure momentum, friction and the laws of gravity," as ESPN describes. The series won six Emmy awards, first airing on FOX Sports in 2007 before moving to ESPN. In a tribute on ESPN, Brenkus was described as "an innovator, an entertainer and an educator" who will be missed by many. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255
