James Lipton

James Lipton

Date of Birth: September 19, 1926
Date of Passing: March 02, 2020
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Obituary: Hollywood Reporter

James Lipton was an American writer, lyricist, actor, and television host.

Lipton began his television career writing for several soap operas, including Another World, The Doctors and Guiding Light, which he also starred in.

James Lipton was an American writer, lyricist, actor, and television host.

Lipton began his television career writing for several soap operas, including Another World, The Doctors and Guiding Light, which he also starred in.

He also had a hand in numerous television specials, including Jimmy Carter’s inaugural gala, which was the first presidential concert ever televised, as well as 12 of Bob Hope birthday specials. He wrote and produced an adaptation of his dance novel, Mirrors, for NBC and wrote the story and teleplay for Copacabana, a 1985 TV movie for CBS based on the characters of Barry Manilow’s 1978 hit song.

He made his onstage Broadway debut at the Coronet Theatre in 1951 in the play The Autumn Garden. He then wrote the book and lyrics for the musicals Nowhere to Go but Up (1962) and Sherry! (1967), and also produced the play The Mighty Gents (1978) and the comedy special Monteith & Rand (1979).

He underwent intense performance training under Stella Adler at the Stella Adler Studio for Acting for more than a decade, which inspired him to start the Actors Studio Drama School in 1994.

Lipton was the creator, executive producer and longtime host of Bravo’s interview series Inside the Actors Studio. From 1994 until his retirement in 2018, Lipton interviewed over 300 actors on the Emmy-winning talk show.

Lipton died March 2, 2020, in Manhattan, New York. He was 93.

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Awards & Nominations

20 Nominations | 1 Emmy
Outstanding Informational Series or Special - 2017
Outstanding Informational Series Or Special - 2016
Outstanding Informational Series Or Special - 2015
Outstanding Informational Series Or Special - 2013
Outstanding Nonfiction Series - 2012
Outstanding Nonfiction Series - 2008
Outstanding Nonfiction Series - 2007
Outstanding Nonfiction Series - 2006
Outstanding Nonfiction Series - 2005
Outstanding Nonfiction Series - 2004
Outstanding Nonfiction Series (Traditional) - 2003
Outstanding Non-Fiction Series (Informational) - 2002
OUTSTANDING NON-FICTION SERIES - 2000
OUTSTANDING NON-FICTION SERIES - 1999
OUTSTANDING NON-FICTION SERIES - area award - 1998

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

James Lipton on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
James Lipton, left, and Kedakai Turner at the 2016 Creative Arts Ball.
James Lipton on the red carpet at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
James Lipton arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
James Lipton
TV host James Lipton (R) and guest arrive at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theatre
Fill 1
Fill 1
James Lipton on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

James Lipton on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/AP
James Lipton, left, and Kedakai Turner at the 2016 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

James Lipton, left, and Kedakai Turner at the 2016 Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
James Lipton on the red carpet at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

James Lipton on the red carpet at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/AP
James Lipton arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

James Lipton arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
James Lipton
TV host James Lipton (R) and guest arrive at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theatre
Camera
Mathew Imaging
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