Home / Arts and Entertainment / Literary Icon's Deep Dives End: "Bookworm" Host Dies
Literary Icon's Deep Dives End: "Bookworm" Host Dies
17 Feb
Summary
- He hosted the KCRW show "Bookworm" for 33 years until 2022.
- Silverblatt interviewed literary giants with profound knowledge of their work.
- His show is a significant archive of late 20th and early 21st-century authors.
Michael Silverblatt, the celebrated host of the KCRW radio show "Bookworm," died recently at the age of 73. His show, which aired from 1989 to 2022, was nationally syndicated and featured extensive interviews with literary luminaries. Silverblatt was renowned for his deep research, often delving into an author's complete works, which frequently astonished his guests.
Born in 1952, Silverblatt's passion for reading began in childhood. Despite initial parental desires for him to pursue a different career, he moved to Los Angeles and eventually found his calling in radio. His collaborator, Alan Howard, described Silverblatt's extensive interview archive as unparalleled and a testament to his lifelong dedication.
Jennifer Ferro, KCRW's president, noted Silverblatt's distinctive voice, which defied expectations for radio. He cultivated a space of "infinite compassion" for writers, allowing them to share deeply. His sister, Joan Bykofsky, survives him.
