James Lipton to retire from Inside the Actor’s Studio

Veteran US presenter James Lipton, long-running host of Inside the Actor’s Studio, is retiring from the role after 23 years.

Lipton has interviewed some of Hollywood’s most luminous performers, ensemble casts and directors, including Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand, James Gandolfini, George Clooney, & Hugh Jackman,.

His unique interview style included such curious questions as “What sound do you hate? What is your favourite curse word? If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?” and always elicited fascinating answers.

In the US the series ran for 23 years on Bravo but will move to Ovation TV in 2019, where a rotating panel of guest hosts will conduct the interviews.

“It’s very gratifying to see the legacy of Inside the Actors Studio being carried forward for a new generation to appreciate and enjoy,” Lipton said in a statement. “I made a vow early on that we would not deal in gossip — only in craft, and Ovation, as a network dedicated to the arts, will continue that tradition with the next seasons of the series. I’m excited to see the new hosts engage with the guests and students and continue to entertain viewers in the U.S. and around the world.”

Inside the Actor’s Studio screened in Australia through Foxtel Arts and the BIO channel.

Source: Hollywood Reporter