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He mastered the art of the interview over 32 years on public radio, at WNYC. He was fired in 2017 amid allegations of sexual harassment, which he vehemently denied.
By Clyde Haberman
Early in life, Leonard Lopate thought he had what it took to become an accomplished abstract painter, but he came to realize that he lacked “an original vision.” Instead, he made radio his canvas.
Across more than 40 years as a popular New York talk-show host, graced with a discerning ear and a sympathetic voice, he interviewed thousands of writers, artists, actors, directors, politicians, scientists, journalists, musicians, athletes, designers, explorers — you name it. Their numbers included 42 Nobel Prize winners. He chatted with one former United States president, Jimmy Carter, and a couple of future ones, Barack Obama and Joseph R. Biden Jr.
