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James LiptonAmerican writer, poet and dean emeritus of the New York Acting School of Drama
Date of Birth: 19.09.1926
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of James Lipton
James Lipton, an American writer, poet, and esteemed dean of the New York Actors Studio Drama School, was born on September 19, 1926. He worked as an executive producer, author, and host of the television series 'Inside the Actors Studio,' which premiered in 1994 on Bravo cable channel.
Early Life and Career
Lipton was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Betty Weinberg, a teacher, and Lawrence Lipton, a journalist. His father was a renowned author who wrote for publications such as 'Beat Generation' and 'The Holy Barbarians.' He also worked as a set designer and correspondent for the 'Jewish Daily Forward' and was part of a movie theater's press service.
While Lipton primarily focused on writing books, he once had to write lyrics for the Broadway musical 'Sherry' in 1967. In 1968, his popular science book titled 'An Exaltation of Larks' was first published. The book went on to be reprinted and expanded several times, with one of the most comprehensive versions released by Penguin in 1993. This book is a collection of "terms of venery," both real and created by Lipton himself.
Inside the Actors Studio
In the early 1990s, Lipton dedicated his efforts to creating a three-year educational program for actors. His plan was to develop an enhanced program based on his own experiences throughout twelve years of teaching. In 1994, Lipton curated a lecture series for the Actors Studio, focusing on the cinematic legacy of the United States over the past 60 years. The studio eventually became a full-fledged acting department at New York University, offering academic degrees.
When asked by writer Daniel Simon if he anticipated the unexpected success of 'Inside the Actors Studio,' Lipton widened his eyes and solemnly declared, "Only in my unbridled imagination!" He added, "It was a collective effort, and many people contributed to its success. I can say now, being in this position, that I've lived three lives. I've been the dean of an acting department, a television writer, and the author and host of the show. So, I adhere to a rather unconventional sixteen-hour schedule."
Personal Life
Lipton was married to actress Nina Foch from 1954 to 1959. His second wife, since 1970, is model and realtor Kedakai Turner.
