Roy Firestone, host of ESPN's UP CLOSE Primetime, is one of America's most versatile and original talents. He is well recognized and honored for his multiple abilities in broadcast interviews, sports journalism, essays and commentaries as well as his unique stage performances.

"The best interviewer in the business" is how Sports Illustrated describes Firestone who owns six Emmy Awards and two ACE Awards for Cable Excellence. Critically acclaimed for his work as host of ESPN's Sportslook and now, UP CLOSE for a decade, he has interviewed more than three thousand people, including every major sports figure. He is the recipient of the prestigious Northeastern University Award for Broadcast Journalism, and Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Jim Murray calls Firestone “the best interviewer I’ve ever seen. That’s not the best interviewer in sports, that’s the best interviewer period!”.

Curiosity and passion drive Firestone to interview people beyond the realm of sports and in the world of art, music, politics and popular entertainment. His interview subject are an electric mix ranging from President Nixon, legendary actor James Stewart, jazz great Miles Davis, comedian Jerry Lewis and pop icon Madonna.

Firestone performs his multi-media review before audiences in Las Vegas, the Grand Old Opry and at major sporting events, meetings, formal events, and conventions throughout the world. The accomplished singer, impressionist and humorist has shared the bill with Frank Sinatra, Loretta Lynn, Vic Damone, Gladys Knight, Four Tops and Frankie Valli to name a few.

Appearances on Late Night With David Letterman, Later With Bob Costas, The Arsenio Hall Show, Nightline, Larry King Live and Married With Children have showcased his talents.

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, Office Max, Chevron, Transamerica, Sara Lee, Frito Lay, Pontiac and Quaker State.

Firestone has been host of ABC's Into the Night, the nationally syndicated series Life's Most Embarrassing Moments, NFL on ESPN, the Los Angeles Laker's Pre-Game Show, Sports Comedy Around the World and Mike Tyson: Portrait of a Champion.

In his home town of Miami Beach, Florida, Firestone began his career as a sports reporter/anchor before moving to Los Angeles as a sports anchor for KCBS-TV (1977-1985). He was host of Sports Look (1980 - 1990) and is currently host of Up Close Primetime on ESPN. Firestone lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons.