RIP James Lipton

1926-2020

James Louis Lipton was an American writer, producer, host, actor and dean emeritus of the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City. He was the executive producer, writer and host of the cable television series “Inside the Actors Studio” which debuted in 1994. He retired from the show in 2018.

His production company James Lipton Productions produced the 1978 television special “Happy Birthday, Bob” celebrating the 75th Birthday of Bob Hope at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Among the many stars that paid tribute to Hope, was Lucille Ball, who reminisced about their four films together. 

LUCY: “They were all fun, frantic, and foolish.”

Lipton also was Executive Producer (and one of the writers) of “Bob Hope’s High-Flying Birthday Extravaganza” on May 25, 1987.

On the deck of an aircraft carrier, Bob Hope salutes the US Air Force’s 40th anniversary. Lucy and Bob sing “I Remember It Well” by Lerner and Loewe. Other guests included Kirk Cameron, Phyllis Diller, Don Johnson, Emmanuel Lewis, and Glen Campbell. 

In 1988, Bob Hope was again the center of a celebration produced by Lipton: “Happy Birthday Bob! 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years With NBC”. Naturally, Lucille Ball was one of those 50 stars. Lipton also wrote lyrics for the program with Cy Coleman as composer, including Lucille Ball’s “Comedy Ain’t No Joke.” Lipton and Coleman were nominated for an Emmy for this work. This is officially Lucille Ball’s final “performance” (but not appearance) before her death. 

For his own show, “Inside The Actors Studio”, he was nominated for 20 Emmy Awards, winning once in 2014. He died on March 2, 2020 at age 93.