James Lipton, who was best known for hosting the TV series Inside the Actors Studio, has died at 93.
Lipton’s wife, Kedakai Turner, confirmed to TMZ that he died on Monday morning at his home from bladder cancer. “There are so many James Lipton stories but I’m sure he would like to be remembered as someone who loved what he did and had tremendous respect for all the people he worked with.”
Inside the Actors Studio, which Lipton also executive produced, saw him speak to nearly 300 stars including Al Pacino, Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Morgan Freeman and Hugh Grant. It was originally a televised seminar for acting students but debuted on Bravo in 1994 and Lipton hosted until 2018 when he chose to retire from the show. It was nominated for 21 Emmys through its run.
He was known for his exhaustive interview technique, impressing his guests with his love of the craft and their work. “I made a vow early on that we would not deal in gossip – only in craft,” he said in his retirement announcement.
Lipton started out as an actor, voicing the nephew of the title character of The Lone Ranger in the 40s before he started to write for a number of soap operas. He starred in a number of Broadway plays before acting as writer and lyricist behind the scenes. Lipton also admitted to working as a pimp in 1950s Paris.
He also wrote a number of books, including a novel called Mirrors about dancing, and was awarded the lifetime achievement Emmy in 2016. Lipton is survived by his wife, whom he married in 1970. Turner was a model best known for playing Miss Scarlett on the front of the game Clue.
When he was asked in 2013 what he would like to hear God say upon arrival in heaven he joked: “I want him to say: ‘You see, Jim, you were wrong. I exist. But you may come in anyway.’”
