Coroner to the Stars

2025 1h 25m EN

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Coroner to the Stars chronicles the extraordinary journey of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the former Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner whose groundbreaking autopsies forever shaped American culture. From Marilyn Monroe and Robert Kennedy to Sharon Tate and Natalie Wood, Noguchi’s outspoken expertise pushed forensic science into the spotlight—even as Hollywood elites and political adversaries sought to silence him. A Japanese immigrant who unwittingly rose to fame in a city driven by stardom, Noguchi’s fearless pursuit of truth often placed him in the crosshairs of controversy.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Cast

George Takei
Self
Janice Hahn
Self
Cyril Wecht
Self
Rosalind Marks, Esq.
Self
Dr. Mark Fajardo
Self
Masako Easton
Self
Dan Medina
Self
Paul Guyet
Voice of "Frank Sinatra"

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ben Hethcoat
Languages: Portuguese, English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

85 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Portuguese, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ben Hethcoat, shot by Erica Chan. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Mike Schanzlin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Keita Ideno shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

George Takei and Janice Hahn and Cyril Wecht carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ben Hethcoat directs. Erica Chan behind the camera. Mike Schanzlin scores. Keita Ideno cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in Portuguese, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

185 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released last year.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Portuguese, English.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Ben Hethcoat, shot by Erica Chan. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Mike Schanzlin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Keita Ideno shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8George Takei and Janice Hahn and Cyril Wecht carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt35186504 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.