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 how they survived after being kicked off TV by CBS for being too political. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4473984/Smothers_Brothers_2023-12-27-170124.64kmono.mp3 Comedian Tom Smothers, one-half of the Smothers Brothers, dies at 86 Recent Posts WGN Radio Archives WGN’s role in Scopes Monkey Trial e...
Dec 27, 2023
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 still uses Dick Clark’s name in its title. But, “America’s Oldest Teenager” was known for many other things beyond the New Year’s show, including his over 30 years hosting “American Bandstand.” In this November 8, 1985 interview, Roy Leonard talks with Dick Clark about the history of “American Bandsta...
Dec 30, 2021
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 visit with Roy Leonard. John Madden died today at age 85. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3908018/Pat_Summerall_and_John_Madden_2021-12-29-002818.64kmono.mp3 John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85...
Dec 29, 2021
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 made his directorial debut with “Play Misty for Me.” On October 18, 1971, Clint Eastwood visited with WGN Radio’s Roy Leonard to talk about that film as well as other aspects of his career to that point. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3885303/Clint_Eastwood_1971_2021-10-14-145203.64kmono.mp3 More ...
Oct 14, 2021
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 1991, Rogers visited the WGN Radio studios to visit with Roy Leonard and discuss her book, Ginger : My Story . Here is that segment, which also features an appearance from “Dances with Wolves” author and screenwriter Michael Blake. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3856670/Ginger_Rogers_2021-07-14-21161...
Jul 15, 2021
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 veteran pop music superstars having had a variety show when they were teenagers and have continued over they years as performers in a variety of venues and formats. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3843690/Donny_and_Marie_2021-06-01-223830.64kmono.mp3 More From the WGN Radio Archives...
Jun 03, 2021
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. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3585782/carol-channing_2019-01-15-121122.64kmono.mp3
Jan 15, 2019
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 autobiography, My Life in Spite of Myself, and share memories from his long career. Here are a couple of minutes from that interview. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3567372/roy-leonard-roy-clark_2018-11-15-161712.64kmono.mp3...
Nov 15, 2018
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. We look back at some of his appearances here: Roy Leonard – March 1972, near the time of the publication of Reynolds’ Cosmopolitan centerfold: http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3543711/roy-leonard-burt-reynolds_2018-09-06-151611.64kmono.mp3 Dean Richards – April 2011, as Reynolds was in the Chicago ar...
Sep 06, 2018
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 April 12, 1984, then Second Lady Barbara Bush stopped by the WGN Radio studios to visit with Roy Leonard and discuss her book, C. Fred’s Story, which told the story of the Vice Presidential family dog, written from the dog’s perspective. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3491819/3491819_2018-04-15-162319...
Apr 18, 2018
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 20, 2017, at the age of 91. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3389145/3389145_2017-08-20-151745.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3786.mp3...
Aug 20, 2017
Roy Leonard visits with Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds, November 4, 1988. Reynolds died December 28, 2016, at the age of 84. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3259953/3259953_2016-12-28-210953.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3786.mp3
Dec 29, 2016
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. http://serve.castfire.com/audio/2770915/2770915_2016-06-03-002115.64kmono.mp3?ad_params=zones%3DPreroll%7Cstation_id%3D3786.mp3 Click to download Recorded November 25, 1977...
Jun 04, 2016
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 conducted (Sid Caesar, John Chancellor and Bob Hope.) Plus a hilarious story involving Jerry Lewis! To hear the interviews in their entirety and other great conversations Roy had over the years, visit his interview archive page on wgnplus.com. https://cdn.tribtv.com/wgnam/podcasts/nickdigilio/royleonard0904...
Sep 04, 2015
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. https://cdn.tribtv.com/wgnam/podcasts/nickdigilio/kellyleonard0915MP.mp3
Sep 03, 2015
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] Roy Leonard with Harry Connick, Jr.
Sep 08, 2014
Dean chat’s with SNL’s Tim Kazurinksy, about his interactions with Roy Leonard. [audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/kazurinsky.mp3] Tim Kazurinsky (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Sep 08, 2014
Dean talks with Actor, Brian Dennehy, about his memories of Roy Leonard. [audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/dennehy.mp3] Actor Brian Dennehy (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Sep 08, 2014
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] (L-R) Producer Andy Perez, Brian Setzer, Roy Leonard
Sep 08, 2014
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, VP of Creative and Programming Todd Manley, Lou Manfredini, Dean Richards, and John Williams to celebrate the life and work of the legendary Roy Leonard. <b></b> Roy Leonard in a 1987 WGN Radio publicity photo.
Sep 07, 2014
John Williams remembers WGN Radio Walk of Fame inductee, former host, and friend of the station, Roy Leonard along with WGN Radio Vice President of Content and Programming, Todd Manley, and fellow WGN Radio hosts Kathy O’Malley, Nick Digilio, and Lou Manfredini, as well as WGN Radio listeners and John McDonough, President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks. http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/johnremembersroyleonard.mp3 Roy Leonard in a 1987 WGN Radio publicity photo....
Sep 05, 2014
Roy Leonard, a legendary interviewer and entertainment critic and a member of WGN Radio’s Walk of Fame, died Thursday night, his son Kelly confirmed to the Chicago Tribune. He was 83. Leonard hosted middays on WGN Radio for over 30 years and interviewed celebrities and newsmakers. His soothing voice and calm demeanor made him a favorite among listeners and advertisers alike, and earned him additional roles including as host of WGN-TV’s “Family Classics” anthology of movies. In later years, Roy c...
Sep 05, 2014
More than forty years ago, Burt Reynolds made his first live appearances on the stage and on the Roy Leonard Show in Chicago. Here are some very entertaining memories. (March 15 & 29, 1972) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/burtreynolds.mp3 Roy Leonard talks with Burt Reynolds...
Jul 24, 2014
WGN Radio Walk of Famer Roy Leonard joins Nick to talk about Sting’s musical, “The Last Ship”, and more. George Karzas of the Gale Street Inn , Steve O’ Brien of Leadbelly Burgers and Michael Thornton of the Gift Theatre Company join the show to talk about a joint-venture, special edition burger available at both restaurants that helps raise money for the Gift. We hit the regular Saturday features; Drunks in the News, Straight Outta Context, and Nick D Spies, then Collin Souter checks in for a b...
Jun 29, 2014
The Tony Award-winning singer and actress in theatre, film and TV visited Roy several times, including this conversation from September 8, 1989. She was also an ambassador to the U.N. and prolific writer. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/pearlbailey.mp3 Louie Bellson and Pearl Bailey with Roy Leonard...
Jun 20, 2014
Newly minted WGN Radio Walk of Famer Roy Leonard makes his bi-weekly visit to the show to talk about the latest films and plays on his radar. For more from Roy, check out his blog . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/0517_roy.mp3
May 18, 2014
The legendary Roy Leonard makes his bi-weekly visit to the Nick Digilio Show! He gives his thoughts on “The Railway Man”, “Under the Skin”, “Heaven is for Real”, and more. For more from Roy, visit his blog . Roy Leonard [audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/0419_roy.mp3]
May 01, 2014
The legendary Roy Leonard is back for his bi-weekly visit to the Nick Digilio Show. He and Nick discuss the Cadillac Palace Theater’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher”, George F. Will’s new book about the Cubs, and more. Roy Leonard [audio http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/0405_roy.mp3]
Apr 07, 2014
Jacques Cousteau was the most famous undersea explorer of the 20th Century. He visited Roy in 1978. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive . For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com . http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/jacquescousteau.mp3 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj6kMOod1cc?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=900&h=507]...
Mar 28, 2014
The legendary Roy Leonard calls in and tells us about “Shoot Me” with Elaine Stritch, “All the Way” with Bryan Cranston as Lyndon Johnson, and more. http://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/roy_0308.mp3 Roy Leonard
Mar 09, 2014
