We are SO close to crossing the finish line!

Coroner to the Stars has been a decade-long filmmaking journey — one that’s culminated in a successful festival run, a distribution deal, and the privilege of sharing Dr. Noguchi’s incredible story with audiences around the world. But the landscape of film distribution in 2025 isn’t what it once was. Our 2026 release is within reach — but only if we can close the final funding gap for archival licensing, which lies at the very heart of Coroner to the Stars.

We’re raising $30,000 to cover worldwide archival licensing and bring this extraordinary story to audiences everywhere.

ABOUT THE FILM:

Coroner to the Stars is a documentary film directed by Ben Hethcoat and Keita Ideno about the extraordinary life and controversial career of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the former Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner whose celebrity autopsies forever shaped American culture. From Marilyn Monroe and Robert Kennedy to Sharon Tate and Natalie Wood, Dr. Noguchi's death investigations pushed forensic science into the spotlight — even as Hollywood elites and political adversaries sought to silence him. A Japanese American who unwittingly rose to fame in a city driven by stardom, Noguchi's commitment to “tell it like it is” often put him within the crosshairs of controversy.

Why We Need Your Help

Bringing Coroner to the Stars to audiences worldwide means securing the archival footage that makes Dr. Noguchi’s story so powerful — the very images and broadcasts that defined Los Angeles during his tenure as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner. These materials are essential, but expensive. Licensing fees from networks and studios are some of the final costs standing between us and release.

Your contribution directly supports the inclusion of this vital historical footage — ensuring that Dr. Noguchi’s legacy, and the truth he stood for, are preserved with the accuracy and integrity his work deserves.

Every dollar helps us close the gap and deliver the film to audiences in 2026.

Bringing Dr. Noguchi’s Story to the World

Coroner to the Stars has resonated deeply with audiences — earning Audience Choice Awards for Best Documentary at Slamdance, Mammoth Lakes, and Tallgrass Film Festivals, along with the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Kanazawa Film Festival in Japan.

Your contribution — whether a small donation or a larger investment — helps preserve an untold piece of American cultural history. Every dollar goes toward securing the archival footage that brings this story to life.

All donations are 100% tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, the Japanese American National Museum.

Together, we can ensure Dr. Noguchi’s remarkable story finally receives the recognition it deserves.

Coroner to the Stars - Our Archival Adventure

By Japanese American National Museum

Coroner to the Stars - Our Archival Adventure

Help this important story finalize its archival costs!

Team Members