Wgn - The Roy Leonard Audio Archives

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.

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 autobiography, My Life in Spite of Myself, and share memories from his long career. Here are a couple of minutes from that interview.

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: Dean Richards – April 2011, as Reynolds was in the Chicago area for screenings of some of his classic […]

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.

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.

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

Muhammad Ali tells Roy what it’s like being a Muslim and all about the fight game, November 25, 1977. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about Roy Leonard, visit royleonard.com.    

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 […]

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. https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/harry.mp3

Dean chat’s with SNL’s Tim Kazurinksy, about his interactions with Roy Leonard. https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/kazurinsky.mp3    

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