Dr. Jane Goodall Honored In Final Interview on Netflix In 'Famous Last Words' Following Her Death

Famous Last Words Dr Jane Goodall New On Netflix

Picture: Netflix

Earlier this week, Dr. Jane Goodall passed away at the age of 91. To honor her life’s work, Netflix has released an unexpected interview special serving as her last time in front of the camera.

The new documentary special was filmed in secrecy in March of this year, with the stipulation that it would only be released upon her death. It’s part of a new format series that Netflix is launching, titled Famous Last Words, in which Netflix interviews well-known figures who will only be released posthumously. It’s based on the Danish series’ Det Sidste Ord’.

Famous Last Words: Dr. Jane Goodall opens with the message: “When someone important dies, all you long for is just a little more time with them.” Continuing, “Imagine if we had the opportunity to hear from a cultural icon after they’ve passed away. A chance for them to shape their own legacy and to be heard one last time in their own words. Dr. Jane Goodall connected humanity to Mother Nature in ways we had previously only imagined. She was a scientist, a conservationist, and an educator.”

The doc proceeds to take you through her vast life and career before she sits down with Brad Falchuk (the creator and writer behind hits like Glee, American Horror Story, and Pose) and explores her impact and career. Falchuk concludes the introduction saying, “Before she died, Jane Goodall sat down for a deeply meaningful conversation, knowing that what you’re about to see would not air until after she passed away, even if that meant locking away the footage for years. These are Jane Goodall’s Famous Last Words.”

According to Netflix, numerous conversations have already been recorded using remote cameras, meaning that only the interviewer and interviewee are present in the room.

Picture: Netflix

The new documentary has a runtime of 55 minutes, and at the end of the documentary, Falchuk stands up and leaves to allow Dr. Goodall to deliver her final message, which has been released in full by Netflix:

“In the place where I am now, I look back over my life. I look back at the world I’ve left behind. What message do I want to leave? I want to make sure that you all understand that each and every one of you has a role to play. You may not know it, you may not find it, but your life matters, and you are here for a reason. And I just hope that reason will become apparent as you live through your life. I want you to know that, whether or not you find that role that you’re supposed to play, your life does matter, and that every single day you live, you make a difference in the world. And you get to choose the difference that you make.

I want you to understand that we are part of the natural world. And even today, when the planet is dark, there still is hope. Don’t lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. And if you want to save what is still beautiful in this world — if you want to save the planet for the future generations, your grandchildren, their grandchildren — then think about the actions you take each day. Because, multiplied a million, a billion times, even small actions will make for great change. I want to — I just hope that you understand that this life on Planet Earth isn’t the end. I believe, and now I know that there is life beyond death. That consciousness survives.

I can’t tell you, from where I am, secrets that are not mine to share. I can’t tell you what you will find when you leave Planet Earth. But I want you to know that your life on Planet Earth will make some difference in the kind of life you find after you die. Above all, I want you to think about the fact that we are part — when we’re on Planet Earth — we are part of Mother Nature. We depend on Mother Nature for clean air, for water, for food, for clothing, for everything. And as we destroy one ecosystem after another, as we create worse climate change, worse loss of diversity, we have to do everything in our power to make the world a better place for the children alive today, and for those that will follow. You have it in your power to make a difference. Don’t give up. There is a future for you. Do your best while you’re still on this beautiful Planet Earth that I look down upon from where I am now. God bless you all.”

Famous Last Words is produced by Emmy Award winner Brad Falchuk, through his Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision banner, and BSNA, a part of Banijay Entertainment. Falchuk and Mikkel Bondesen executive produce with David Goldberg and showrunner David Friedman.