The BEST episodes of Inside the Actors Studio
Every episode of Inside the Actors Studio ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Inside the Actors Studio!
For over 12 years and more than 100 episodes, James Lipton has sat down with some of the world's most accomplished actors and directors for penetrating, fascinating interviews. Lipton's studious research and enlightened curiosity has inspired his guests to open up and confess their deepest thoughts about the art of acting. The series premiered with Paul Newman, an Actors Studio alumnus and former president (1982–1994).
#2 - Jessica Lange
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/12/1996

#4 - Alec Baldwin (II)
Season 13 - Episode 13 - Aired 10/22/2007
James Lipton talks to Alec Baldwin about his career since his original 1994 appearance on the show, and his recent foray into television.
#7 - Julianne Moore
Season 9 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/22/2002

#8 - Clint Eastwood
Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/5/2003
The writer, director and long-running acclaimed actor draws on over five decades of professional experience in a thrilling dissertation of his successes.


#11 - Al Pacino
Season 12 - Episode 20 - Aired 10/2/2006
One of the most respected veteran actors in all of showbusiness takes the chair to go through the moments in life which defined him as both person and performer.

#12 - Robert Downey Jr.
Season 12 - Episode 17 - Aired 7/9/2006
It hasn't been the smoothest of careers for the multi-talented entertainer, but here he recounts tales of his best and worst moments with panache.
#13 - Goldie Hawn
Season 15 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/3/2008


#18 - Jodie Foster
Season 12 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/2005
James Lipton interviews the quietly successful lead actress in many different films. Taped after the making of, but before the release of, "Flightplan."
#19 - Kristen Wiig
Season 22 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/21/2017
In anticipation of her upcoming film Downsizing, Wiig discusses her Hollywood beginning at The Groundlings improv troupe which led to her breakout role as series regular on Saturday Night Live, where she earned five Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. From the small screen to the big screen, Wiig expanded her repertoire to include both comedic and dramatic roles in films such as Mother!, The Martian, Skeleton Twins, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Despicable Me 2, Welcome To Me, Ghostbusters, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, and the upcoming Where’d You Go, Bernadette. In the episode, Wiig recounts her journey to writing, producing and starring in the Oscar nominated film, Bridesmaids, and how she created many of her iconic characters in Saturday Night Live including the ‘Aunt Linda’ and ‘Sue the Surprise Lady.’
#20 - Cast of Glee
Season 18 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/9/2012
It is time for fans to unleash their inner gleek as Bravo Media welcomes the cast and creator of the hit television series, "Glee," to the "Inside the Actors Studio" stage, premiering on Monday, April 9th at 8pm et/pt. Currently in its 18th season, host James Lipton is joined by cast members Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith and co-creator Ryan Murphy. From Chris Colfer's never-before-seen audition tape to Lea Michele's first big break on Broadway to Cory Monteith's troubled past, no stone is left unturned as they give viewers an inside look into their fascinating careers and reveal behind-the-scene stories from the set of the hit series.

#21 - Mickey Rourke
Season 15 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/31/2009
#22 - Laura Linney
Season 15 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/12/2009
Laura Linney---three-time Emmy winner and three-time Oscar nominee (for 2007's "The Savages," 2004's "Kinsey" and 2000's "You Can Count on Me")---shares perspective on her life and career in a discourse with host James Lipton.

#23 - Conan O'Brien
Season 15 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/26/2009
James Lipton interviews late-night talk-show host Conan O'Brien. The onetime writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons" gives humorous expression to his life experiences and career journey.

#24 - Dustin Hoffman
Season 12 - Episode 16 - Aired 6/25/2006
A star-studded audience attends to see the beloved, talented leading man who gives a rare in-depth interview with humor and honesty.

#25 - Salma Hayek
Season 11 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/5/2004
The beautiful and talented actress enlightens the audience about her struggles to become a leading lady and how much she intends to make the most of her accomplishments.



