James Lipton Biography

Fast Facts

• Originally planned to be a lawyer; took up acting as a side job to pay the bills
• Spent more than 10 years studying theatrical arts, modern dance and ballet with masters such as Stella Adler, Harold Clurman and Robert Lewis
• Made his Broadway debut in 1951 in Lillian Hellman's The Autumn Garden, directed by his acting teacher Harold Clurman
• Spent 10 years on Guiding Light in the 1950s as Dr
• Dick Grant
• Wrote the book and lyrics for two Broadway musicals: Nowhere to Go but Up and Sherry! A cast album for Sherry! was created in 2005, starring Nathan Lane, Bernadette Peters, Carol Burnett, Tommy Tune and Mike Myers
• Executive produced 12 Bob Hope birthday specials and former president Jimmy Carter's inaugural gala
• Is best known as the host of Inside the Actors Studio, where performers and directors discuss their lives, inspirations and craft before an audience of students from New York's Actors Studio
• Is a licensed pilot, a horseman and a Chevalier of France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres