Roy Leonard
Interviews from the archives of broadcast legend Roy Leonard from WGN Radio 720
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Episodes
- 95
- Years Active
- 2012 - 2023
Leo Durocher
Did he really say “Nice guys finish last”? In this 1975 interview, Leo answers the question and offers some insights into the game of baseball and a lot about the Cubs.
Peggy Lee
From singing with Benny Goodman to her hits “Fever” and “Is That All There Is?,” Peggy Lee tells it all. (April 19, 1988)
Dick Clark
In one of many appearances on the Roy Leonard Show, Dick talks about the origins of “American Bandstand” and why Elvis never appeared on the show. (November 8, 1985)
Wilt Chamberlain
The great NBA star came by in 1991 to talk about his book, “A View from Above,” and proved to be a fascinating guest.
Harry Connick, Jr.
Harry Connick, Jr. tells how he got hired to record the “When Harry Met Sally” songs, talks about the influence of growing up in New Orleans, and reveals how he quit smoking. (1990)
Ginger Rogers
The great movie star Ginger Rogers talks about dancing with Fred Astaire and her many Hollywood relationships. (1991)
James Taylor
James Taylor introduces his new album and talks about how he gets his ideas and writes his songs. (November 19, 1985)
Sid Caesar
Sid Caesar talks about his drug problems and shares great stories about Mel Brooks, Larry Gelbart and Carl Reiner. (November 16, 1983)
Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds tells how she lost $21 million and took ten years to pay it off, plus highlights from her singing and acting career. (November 4, 1988)
Jackie Mason
Jackie Mason, a man whose made a career out of insulting people. Do people ever get mad at him? Listen to this 1992 interview
Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon
One of the great screenwriting teams of all time talk about the old Hollywood with stories about Bogart and Bacall, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, and Katharine Hepburn a…
Jerry Lewis
An amazing, serious interview about the art of comedy with one of the funniest men alive. (1982)
Jack Hemingway
In 1986 we talked about the difficulties of being Ernest Hemingway’s son and his service with our OSS in WWII and parachuting behind enemy lines.
New Orleans ‘Bronco Billy’ All-Star Special with Clint Eastwood
We traveled to New Orleans back in 1980 to talk to Clint Eastwood, Ronnie Milsap, Merle Haggard, Scatman Crothers and other stars of Clint’s movie Bronco Billy. Here’s a one-hour version of what happ…
David Brenner
Comic David Brenner examined his career in a book back in 1983 and also released his first album. He talks with Roy about both.
Lily Tomlin
Lily Tomlin told us where the character “Edith Ann” came from and shared more from her show biz career back in an early 1970’s visit.
Johnny Mercer
One of the great lyricists of all time, Johnny Mercer (On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses, Laura, One For My Baby), in a classic show. (June 2, 1971)
John Cleese
Founding member of Monty Python and the “Ministry of Silly Walks,” John Cleese joined Roy back in 1986 and talked about Faulty Towers as well
Blue Man Group
“Blue Man Group” has been playing at the Brian Street Theatre for 16 years. Back in 1997, the three founders joined Roy to explain how it all started.
Steve Martin
Funny man Steve Martin wrote a play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and brought it to our Steppenwolf Theatre in October of 1993. Naturally we wanted to talk with him about it. (October 16, 1993)