Roy Leonard

Tom Smothers, one half of the comedy duo The Smothers Brothers, has died at age 86. On March 27, 1974, Tom and Dick Smothers joined Roy Leonard in the WGN Radio studios for a conversation, including …

For decades, Dick Clark was the celebrity many people watched ring in the new year live from Times Square in New York City. Even today, nearly a decade after his passing, ABC’s New Year’s broadcast s…

On January 8, 1986, at the height of the Bears Super Bowl run, the then-CBS NFL lead broadcast team of Pat Summerall and John Madden were in Chicago and made time to stop by the WGN Radio studios to …

Fifty years ago, Clint Eastwood was already an established Hollywood star, having appeared in a number of movies and TV series. But in 1971, he would begin a new phase of his legendary career when he…

Ginger Rogers, one of the iconic stars of Hollywood’s “Golden Age,” was born 110 years ago this week, on July 16, 1911. The career of the actress, dancer and singer spanned decades. In the fall of 19…

This week from the WGN Radio archives, we go back 35 years to June 4, 1986, a Wednesday morning on The Roy Leonard Show when he was visited in-studio by Donny and Marie Osmond. They were already vete…

In this Roy Leonard segment from the early 1970s, Carol Channing is surprised to learn that Roy saw her in 1948, before she was a star. Channing died today at age 97.

Roy Clark, the country music legend and star of the long-running TV series “Hee Haw,” died today at age 85. In 1994, he visited with WGN Radio’s Roy Leonard to discuss the publication of his autobiog…

Actor Burt Reynolds appeared a number of times on WGN Radio over the years, from the peak of his 1970s stardom to more recent appearances as he reflected on his career. Reynolds died today at age 82.…

America is remembering former First Lady Barbara Bush, the wife of the 41st President George H. W. Bush and mother of the 43rd President George W. Bush. Mrs. Bush died April 17, 2018 at age 92.

On Ap…

In this 1982 interview, Roy Leonard talks with comedy legend Jerry Lewis. Roy called it, “An amazing, serious interview about the art of comedy with one of the funniest men alive.” Lewis died August …

Roy Leonard visits with Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds, November 4, 1988. Reynolds died December 28, 2016, at the age of 84.

On the day after Thanksgiving, 1977, boxing legend Muhammad Ali visited the WGN Radio studios for an extended interview with Roy Leonard. Ali died Friday, June 3, 2016, at age 74.

Friday, September 4th marks the one year anniversary of Roy Leonard’s passing.  In this podcast, Nick Digilio shares memories about his mentor and plays back some of the classic interviews Roy conduc…

Friday marks the one year anniversary of Roy Leonard’s passing. As part of a two day tribute, Nick Digilio welcomes Roy’s son Kelly to discuss his father’s legacy.

Dean talks shares memories of Roy Leonard with one of Roy’s favorite musical artists, Harry Conick Jr.

[audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/harry.mp3]

Dean chat’s with SNL’s Tim Kazurinksy, about his interactions with Roy Leonard.

[audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/kazurinsky.mp3]

Dean talks with Actor, Brian Dennehy, about his memories of Roy Leonard.

[audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/dennehy.mp3]

Dean talks about Roy behind the scenes with someone who knows best: his former producer, Andy Perez.

[audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/andyperez.mp3]

Nick Digilio is joined by a roster of WGN colleagues past and present, including former Program Director Mary June Rose, Steve Bertrand, Steve King and Johnnie Putman, Spike O’ Dell,  Steve Cochran, …