Roy Firestone

Roy Firestone Speaker Biography

Named “the best interviewer in the business” by Sports Illustrated, Roy Firestone believes in “taking every talent you have and exploring it to see what happens.” As one of America’s most versatile and original talents, Firestone has followed that philosophy into a variety of genres, excelling as interviewer, commentator, and stage performer.

Critically acclaimed for his work in broadcast journalism, Firestone has won seven Emmy® Awards and seven Cable ACE Awards; he has interviewed more than 5,000 people, including nearly every major sports figure. The late Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Jim Murray called Firestone, “the best interviewer I’ve ever seen. That’s not the best interviewer in sports, that’s the best interviewer period.”

Driven by curiosity and passion to venture outside of sports and explore the arts, Firestone has also interviewed a dizzying array of the world’s most notable, and sometimes notorious, personalities. From former President Richard Nixon to the big screen’s Everyman, James Stewart, from jazz legend Miles Davis to pop icon Madonna, Firestone’s interview subjects are an eclectic mix, occupying the worlds of art, music, politics, and popular entertainment.

Firestone performs his multi-media review before audiences in Las Vegas, at major sporting events, meetings, formal events and conventions throughout the world.  The accomplished singer, impressionist, and humorist has shared the bill with notables such as Frank Sinatra, Michael McDonald, country superstar Wynonna, Gladys Knight, the Four Tops, and Frankie Valli.  Appearances include Late Night with David Letterman, Later with Bob Costas, Nightline, and Larry King Live.

Firestone wrote the book, Up Close and In Your Face with the Greats, Near Greats, and Ingrates of Sports, and appeared in the movie, Jerry Maguire.

Firestone has performed for hundreds of corporate clients including: AT&T, Cadillac, Quaker Oats, Pepsi, Nike, Toyota, Avia, General Foods, Delta Airlines, Mayflower Movers, Sun Computers, Prudential, Thrifty Car Rental, Northwest Airlines, Russell Athletic, Fujitsu, Anheuser Busch, The Sports Authority, OfficeMax, Chevron, Transamerica, Sara Lee, Frito-Lay, Pontiac, and QuakerState.

In his home town of Miami Beach, Florida, Firestone began his career as a sports reporter and anchor before moving to Los Angeles as a sports anchor for KCBS-TV (1977-85). He was host of ESPN’s SportsLook (1980-90) and Up Close Prime Time, as well as AOL’s Time Out With Roy Firestone and Mark Cuban’s HDNet Face To Face With Roy Firestone. Roy currently lives in Los Angeles.