Quiz

In each of his interviews for Inside the Actors Studio (1994) he asks the famed "10 questions", which are adopted from the famous French television host Bernard Pivot. - 1. What is your favorite word? - 2. What is your least favorite word? - 3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? - 4. What turns you off? - 5. What is your favorite curse word? - 6. What sound or noise do you love? - 7. What sound or noise do you hate? - 8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? - 9. What profession would you not like to do? - 10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?.

Does all of the research (the famed blue cards) for the Inside the Actors Studio (1994) interviews himself which usually takes about two weeks. While being dean of the Actors Studio Drama School he did this research after his administrative day job at the school.

In his book "An Exaltation of Larks" he lists the popular and obscure phrases that describe groups of things (ie, a gaggle of geese, a murder of crows and, of course, an exaltation of larks). The book has been in print continuously since 1968.

Lipton's Inside the Actors Studio (1994) TV show is incorporated as a non-profit and all of its proceeds go to the Actors Studio and the university where it is based. The show has been a success in both ratings and artistically, having earned twelve Emmy nominations.

He can speak French and Latin.

He was formerly the dean of Actors Studio Drama School of New York's New School University for ten years. He now has the title of Dean Emeritus.

Is a member of the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association).

Awarded a Lifetime Achievement Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

His paternal grandparents were Polish Jewish immigrants and his maternal grandparents were Russian Jews.

His father Lawrence Lipton was a prominent beat generation writer, the author of "Holy Barbarians". His mother was Betty Weinberg. James is an only child.

Humorously claims his wife Kedaki doesn't allow him to get a tattoo.

Attended Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.

Was the creator and executive producer for President Jimmy Carter's Inaugural Gala, the first presidential inaugural gala to be televised. Also the producer of twelve Bob Hope birthday specials.

He studied acting for two and a half years with Stella Adler, four years with Howard Clurman and two years with Robert Lewis.

Recently recovered the score to his musical "Sherry!" which he wrote in 1967. It is a musical adaptation of Il signore resta a pranzo (1941). The score was feared to have been lost in a fire but was instead sent to the wrong storage facility and ended up at the Library of Congress with the other contents of the storage unit. A concert version cast album has been produced and is now available. The featured performers are Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, Carol Burnett, Christine Baranski, Tommy Tune and Mike Myers.

Played Dan Reid, the Lone Ranger's nephew on the radio program in the 1940s out of WXYZ in Detroit.

"Weird Al" Yankovic's song "Couch Potato" jokingly describes Lipton discussing the oeuvre of Rob Schneider (who is generally considered a third-rate actor).