Wgn - The Roy Leonard Audio Archives

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.  

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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.

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.  

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. https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/0419_roy.mp3

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. https://tribwgnfm.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/0405_roy.mp3

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.

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.

Roy Leonard joins the show to share his thoughts on “The Lego Movie”, and the recent happenings in Chicago theatre.  Then we take a look at the regular features, “Drunks in the News’, “Straight Outta Context”, and “Nick D Spies”.

Roy visits with Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), the most popular jazz singer in the world for more than half a century. (February, 1977) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com.

We kick off a full Saturday night by catching up with Roy Leonard.  Public relations guru Richard Laermer checks in to give his take on Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s death, the upcoming Oscars, and more.

One of America’s great comedy writers, Larry Gelbart (TV’s M*A*S*H, the movie Tootsie and Broadway’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) talks about growing up in Chicago and a great career helping to make other people funny. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com.

Nick kicks off a full Saturday night show with Roy Leonard, who shares his favorite films of the year.  Then, we hit Drunks in the News, Straight Outta Context and Nick D Spies.  

Animal rights advocate, social rights historian, novelist and television critic, Cleveland Amory dropped by on October 10, 1975, and even if you’ve never heard of him, you’ll laugh at his wit and be amazed at his knowledge. Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com.

Northshore native Bill Murray talks about his early years at Second City and Saturday Night Live in this 1981 conversation with Roy. (June 19, 1981) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com.

Most Americans know her as Archie Bunker’s wife on TV’s “All In the Family.” But in this 1982 interview she tells Roy about her early career on Broadway and in movies and her one woman show where she portrays Eleanor Roosevelt. (May 6, 1982) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com.

In this 1978 interview, the man who makes so many people laugh shows a serious side and talks to Roy about his own family and how he’s bringing up his kids. He also talks to listeners and seems happy to answer their questions. (March 14, 1978) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about Roy Leonard, visit Roy on ChicagoNow.com.

From about 1953 until 1980, Ray Rayner was one Chicago’s most popular television personalities starting at WBBM-TV as the host of a morning show called Rayner Shine. Rayner moved to WGN-TV in 1961 as Sergeant Pettibone, the host of The Dick Tracy Show, then on Bozo’s Circus as the clown Oliver O. Oliver and then his top rated morning show Ray Rayner and his Friends. (February 2, 1984) Click here to return to the Roy Leonard Audio Archive. For more about […]