James Lipton, who as host of the Bravo series, “Inside the Actors Studio,” delighted television audiences with his perceptive interviews with celebrity actors, died March 2 at his home in Manhattan. He was 93.

Mr. Lipton was a knowledgeable interviewer, who focused on craft while avoiding gossip, winning the trust of his famous guests as well as an international audience. During his 23-season run, the show became a coveted stop for writers, directors and performers, who would give some of their longest and most unguarded interviews to Mr. Lipton. Among the 275 or so stars he interviewed were Alex Baldwin, Neil Simon, Sally Field, Dennis Hopper, Sidney Lumet and so many others.

Famously, he completed each episode by asking his guests a series of questions employed by the French television host Bernard Pivot — What is your favorite curse word? What is your favorite word? What is the profession you wouldn’t have wanted to practice? If God exists, what would you like to hear him say upon your arrival at heaven’s door? For some, it was a favorite part of the show.

Editor’s note: Some years ago, returning from a Thanksgiving dinner at our niece’s house in Connecticut, we spotted James Lipton aboard the Bridgeport to Port Jefferson ferry. As huge fans of his program, we struck up a conversation with him, about his program, the state of theater in general, and the actors who make it live. The conversation was memorable on many levels, particularly his keen understanding of his interviewees as well as his audience. He said he felt that the popularity of his program was not that he interviewed famous people, but that famous people were also just people, and truly wanted to reveal that about themselves. It was that aspect of the interview that most engaged him as well as his audience, he said.

Speaking personally regarding the Bernard Pivot question about a favorite word, the best response, without question, was given by Paul Newman. While most of Mr. Lipton’s guests were suggesting words like, “peace,” “beautiful,” “love,” and the like, Paul Newman broke up the audience as well as James Lipton. His favorite word? “Lunch.” (SMB)