Tributes

George Carlin

Before there was Stephen Colbert, there was George Carlin, comedian talks about humor in today's politics and reflects on his long career.

» George Carlin on the The Brian Lehrer show

In 2004, Carlin spoke to Leonard about his book, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?.

» George Carlin on the The Leonard Lopate Show show

Bo Diddley

The Leonard Lopate Show

Few people probably realized that when Checker Records released Bo Diddley’s first record "Bo Diddley"/"I'm A Man" in 1955,with its distinctive guitar playing, the sound of rock ‘n’ roll and R&B would never be the same. Even though Bo Diddley died just recently, you can still hear him reminisce with Leonard Lopate about spending 50 years in the music business. The interview is from July 15, 2005.

Sydney Pollack on Frank Gehry

The Leonard Lopate Show

Sydney Pollack, the Oscar-winning director, producer, and sometime actor, died just recently. He’s especially known for the big hits, “The Way We Were,” “Tootsie,” and “Out of Africa” among many others. He just produced “Michael Clayton” last year, where he appeared as a no-nonsense lawyer. He came on The Leonard Lopate Show back in May of 2006 to discuss his first feature-length documentary about his longtime friend, the renowned architect Frank Gehry.

Cornell Capa

The Leonard Lopate Show

Cornell Capa, who founded the International Center of Photography after close to 30 years as a photojournalist, himself, died this past Friday. The brother of Robert Capa, he worked first on the staff of Life magazine, and then as a member of Magnum Photos. He once said, “I am not an artist, and I never intended to be one. I hope I have made some good photographs, but what I really hope is that I have done some good photo stories with memorable images that make a point, and, perhaps, even make a difference.” He was last interviewed by Leonard Lopate in November of 1992.

Nuala O’Faolain dies

The Leonard Lopate Show

The spirited Irish journalist and writer Nuala O’Faolain died this past Friday of lung cancer at a hospice in South Dublin, at the age of 68. She became a best-selling author on both sides of the Atlantic in 1996 with the publication of her unusually intimate memoir, Are You Somebody? You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with her from September, 2005, about her book, The Story of Chicago May, concerning the life of an unrespectable Irishwoman.

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Director Anthony Minghella Dies

Anthony Minghella, who won an Oscar for “The English Patient,” died recently. Minghella also directed “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Cold Mountain,” and “Truly Madly Deeply.” He was 54. You can hear an interview Leonard Lopate did with him in January of last year for his film, “Breaking and Entering.”

Studio 360: Minghella talked about directing "Madame Butterfly"
Soundcheck: Minghella and music in his filmmaking

Remembering William F. Buckley, Jr.

The Leonard Lopate Show

William F. Buckley, the conservative commentator who gave polysyllablic words new life, just died at his home in Stamford, Connecticut at the age of 82. He founded the National Review magazine in 1955, and hosted the PBS television show Firing Line with great verve and wit, from 1966 to 1999. He was last a guest with Leonard in June of 2002, to discuss his novel, Nuremberg.

Oscar Peterson Remembered

The great Jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson died outside of Toronto where he lived. He was 82. His career spanned seven decades and garnered international acclaim for his exceptional speed and technique. WNYC's Sara Fishko interviewed him on the eve of his 75th birthday in 2000.

Sara Fishko's Hour with Oscar Peterson

Henrietta Yurchenco

The Leonard Lopate Show

Henrietta Yurchenco’s quest to save living music from the past took her from the mountains of Guatemala and southern Mexico to the Jewish community of Morocco and, ultimately WNYC, where she was a radio producer, announcer, and interviewer (of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, among many others). She died at the age of 91 here in Manhattan. The pioneer folklorist used to call in, all the time, to fill us in on matters of music.

Norman Mailer reflects on turning 80 in this Jan. 28, 2003 photo

Norman Mailer and John Buffao Mailer Compare Notes

The Leonard Lopate Show

Norman Mailer reigned for decades as the country's literary conscience with such books as "The Naked and the Dead." In this inteview from our archives, 27-year-old John Buffalo Mailer asks his 82-year-old father, Norman Mailer, his opinions on everything from politics to sex to morality in The Big Empty.