Tributes

An appreciation of the composer-lyricist Jerry Herman.

We've pulled two segment with Cokie Roberts done with Brian Lehrer in 2015 and 2016.

The late Ric Ocasek, former vocalist for The Cars, was interviewed at WNYC in 2006.

In 1987 Toni Morrison came to WNYC to talk about her most recent work, Beloved.

In 1998 Peter Fonda talked about his life and family in, Don't Tell Dad.

Tom Wolfe, the iconic bestselling writer – and one of the best-dressed! – just died at the age of 87 from pneumonia.

The Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott, known for writing about his native Caribbean, was also a painter. In 2005, he discussed his first NYC gallery show with Leonard Lopate.

Bill Paxton died suddenly at the age of 61. We were lucky to have had him on our show in 2002 for "Frailty," and in 2003, with James Cameron, for "Ghosts of the Abyss."

Maggie Roche was the alto in the trio known as The Roches. You can hear her perform with Suzzy on our show, back in April of 2002. She just died at the age of 65 from breast cancer.

Wayne Barrett, an old-fashioned muckracker, was acknowledged to be the first reporter to have probed Trump’s life, his business dealings, and even his potential national importance.

In 1988, she discussed her conflicted feelings about seeing her daughter, Carrie Fisher, entering the film industry.

Listen to Leonard's conversations with Carrie Fisher from 2004 and 2008.

Our tribute to Edward Albee, and well as other icons of 20th century Theater: Arthur Miller and Bill Irwin, and their own tributes to Samuel Beckett.

The comic deadpan genius of Gene Wilder will never be forgotten. But when we had him on the show in 2005 and 2007, it was for his writing. Don't miss these incredible interviews.

Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor – aka Toots Thielemans, was a jazz harmonica player, guitarist – and whistler! He died at 94, and we bring you his interview with Leonard in 2006.