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WTOP’s celebrity chats of 2016

Jason Fraley | jfraley@wtop.com

December 22, 2016, 2:03 AM

Clockwise from left: Natalie Portman, Bill Murray, Robert Duvall and Dolly Parton. (WTOP collage via AP)
WASHINGTON — This year, WTOP got to chat with TV legends, auteurs, music hit-makers and big-screen stars. Some we got to chat with in the Glass-Enclosed Nerve Center; others we met on the red carpet at storied events such as the Kennedy Center Honors. Scroll through the gallery to see some of our most memorable interviews of 2016. (WTOP collage via AP)
WTOP collage via AP
Robert Duvall poses for a portrait during the 87th Academy Awards nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Robert Duvall Read the interview: Robert Duvall dishes on career at Washington West Film Fest in Va. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP
Kennedy Center Honorees Read more: 2016 Kennedy Center Honors (Photos & Videos) (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
AP Photo/Kevin Wolf
Emma Stone & Damien Chazelle  Read the interview: Emma Stone, Damien Chazelle on making ‘La La Land’ (Videos) (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Natalie Portman Read the interview: Natalie Portman visits DC for ‘Jackie’ premiere (Q&A, Review) (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
AP Photo/Steven Senne
Medal of Freedom recipients Read the interview: Pres. Obama presents his final Medals of Freedom (Photo/Video) (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
Gershwin Prize recipient Smokey Robinson appears for a special display while visiting the Library of Congress in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Smokey Robinson Read the interview: Smokey Robinson receives Gershwin Prize for Popular Song (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
AP Photo/Molly Riley
Jessica Chastain Read the interview: Q&A: Jessica Chastain’s ruthless ‘Miss Sloane’ Goes to Washington (Kerry Hayes/Europa via AP)
Kerry Hayes/Europa via AP
Actor Joel Edgerton, left, actress Ruth Negga and director Jeff Nichols attend the premiere of "Loving" at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Joel Edgerton & Jeff Nichols Read the interview: ‘Loving’ director, actor examine Virginia interracial marriage case (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Bill Murray at the Kennedy Center. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)
Bill Murray Read the interview: Bill Murray receives Mark Twain Prize at Kennedy Center (Videos) (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com) (Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
Artist Peter Frampton performs at the All for the Hall benefit concert at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)
Peter Frampton  Read the interview: Peter Frampton goes unplugged this weekend at Kennedy Center (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)
Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP
Singer Jewel Kilcher attends "Howard Stern's Birthday Bash", presented by SiriusXM, at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Jewel  Read the interview: Singer-songwriter Jewel dishes on new memoir, reality show (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Kathleen Turner returns to Arena Stage for her fourth time in "The Year of Magical Thinking." (Tony Powell courtesy Arena Stage)
Kathleen Turner Read the interview: Kathleen Turner stars in ‘Year of Magical Thinking’ at Arena Stage (Tony Powell/Courtesy Arena Stage)
Tony Powell/Courtesy Arena Stage
Thomas Kail and Lin-Manuel Miranda Read the interview: From Alexandria to Broadway: ‘Hamilton’ director comes home (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File
Marg Helgenberger visits WTOP ahead of her role in "The Little Foxes" at Arena Stage. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Marg Helgenberger Read the interview: ‘CSI’ star Marg Helgenberger hits Arena Stage for ‘The Little Foxes’ (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Paige O'Hara, who voiced Belle, visits Washington D.C. to promote the 25th anniversary Blu Ray of "Beauty and the Beast." (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Paige O’Hara (Disney’s Belle) Read the interview: Belle ‘is our guest’ as Disney opens vault for ‘Beauty & Beast’ (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
"Weird Al" Yankovic poses in the press room with the award for best comedy album for "Mandatory Fun" at the 57th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
“Weird Al” Yankovic Read the interview: Weird Al Yankovic brings music parody gold to Wolf Trap (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
The Temptations singing group. From left are; Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Glenn Beonard. Back row from left, Richard Street and Dennis Edwards. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
Dennis Edwards of the Temptations  Read the interview: Not just your imagination: The Temptations hit Howard Theatre (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
AP Photo/Lennox McLendon
In this Aug. 18, 2016 photo, Henry Winkler poses for a portrait at his home in Los Angeles. Winkler stars with George Foreman, Terry Bradshaw and William Shatner in "Better Late Than Never," a four-episode reality series documenting their 35-day trip through Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Henry Winkler Read the interview: Catching Up with The Fonz: Winkler talks new reality show (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Tim Meadows, a cast member in the FOX series "Son of Zorn," poses for a portrait during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Tim Meadows Read the interview: Tim Meadows mixes live-action, animation in FOX’s ‘Son of Zorn’ (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
David Crosby performs onstage at a concert to defeat Prop. 32 at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
David Crosby Read the interview: From Byrds to CSNY, legend David Crosby rocks The Birchmere (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP
Kevin Costner &amp; Modern West perform at City Winery in New York, Monday, April 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Kevin Costner Read the interview: If you dream it: Kevin Costner’s new frontier comes to Birchmere (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
AP Photo/Charles Sykes
Darius Rucker Read the interview: Gone Country: Darius Rucker brings Nashville Hootie to Va. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP)
Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP
Lonnie Jordan of War performing at Chastain Park Amphitheatre on Friday, August 23, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo by Robb D. Cohen/RobbsPhotos/Invision/AP)
Lonnie Jordan of War Read the interview: Why can’t we be friends? War ‘low rides’ into The Birchmere (Photo by Robb D. Cohen/RobbsPhotos/Invision/AP)
Photo by Robb D. Cohen/RobbsPhotos/Invision/AP
Belinda Carlisle of the The Go Go’s Read the interview: Belinda Carlisle dishes on Go-Go’s farewell tour at Warner Theatre (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Michael Bacon, left, and Kevin Bacon of The Bacon Brothers band pose for a portrait in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Michael and Kevin Bacon Read the interview: Zero Degrees of Separation: Bacon Brothers bring brotherly love to The Birchmere (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Bruce Johnston, left, and Mike Love of the band The Beach Boys perform in concert at the Modell Performing Arts Center At The Lyric on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016, in Baltimore. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Mike Love of  The Beach Boys Read the interview: Beach Boys bring good vibrations to the NSO at Kennedy Center (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP
Martin Short Read the interview: Martin Short wraps ‘Maya & Marty,’ calls co-star ‘Mozart’ (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Werner Herzog presents "Lo and Behold" at AFI Docs ahead of his honor at the Guggenheim Symposium. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Werner Herzog Read the interview: Werner Herzog, ‘inventor of cinema,’ in his own words (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Bob Saget Read the interview: Bob Saget hosts roast of James Carville at the Kennedy Center (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, FIle)
Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, FIle
Moby performs at The Fonda Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Moby Read the interview: Moby talks ‘Porcelain,’ ‘Bourne,’ taking high road with Eminem (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Dolly Parton Read the interview: Dolly Parton comes to Wolf Trap with first major tour in 25 years (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File
The group Boyz II Men display their two awards backstage at the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Monday, March 13, 1995. The group won for best rhythm and blues single, group, band or duo; and for best rhythm and blues album, group. The members, from left, are, Michael McCary, Wanya Morris, Nate Morris and Shawn Stockman. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)
Boyz II Men Read the interview: Boyz II Men joins NSO for two-night show at Kennedy Center (File, AP Photo/Eric Draper)
File, AP Photo/Eric Draper
Ewan McGregor, star of "Last Days in the Desert," poses at a special screening of the film at Laemmle's Royal Theatre on Thursday, May 12, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Ewan McGregor Read the interview: Ewan McGregor plays Jesus & Lucifer in ‘Last Days in Desert’ (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Ana Gasteyer participates in the "Suburgatory" panel discussion at the Disney/ABC Winter 2014 TCA Press Tour on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Ana Gasteyer Read the interview: ‘SNL’ alum Ana Gasteyer comes home to DC for Arena Stage show (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP
Arch Campbell jokes with Conan O'Brien. (Courtesy Arch Campbell)
Arch Campbell Read the interview: At 70, Arch Campbell remains Washington’s beloved movie buff (Courtesy Arch Campbell)
Courtesy Arch Campbell
Zac Brown Band Read the interview: Smokey Robinson honors Zac Brown Band at D.C.’s Hamilton (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP
The statue of Abraham Lincoln watches over Alex Trebeck as "Jeopardy" tapes its Teen Tournament at D.A.R. Constitution Hall. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Alex Trebek Read: Md. teen gets his shot on ‘Teen Jeopardy’ in DC (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Molly Ringwald Read the interview: Molly Ringwald croons at AMP, shares Brat Pack memories (Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File
Director Marc Abraham (left) and actor Tom Hiddleston (right) visit Washington D.C. to promote the Hank Williams biopic "I Saw the Light." (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Tom Hiddleston Read the interview: Tom Hiddleston on playing Hank Williams, F. Scott Fitzgerald and ‘Loki v Batman v Superman’ (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Julie Kent und Vladimir Malakhov tanzen die Hauptrollen in "Giselle", hier in einer Szene aus dem zweiten Akt bei der Generalprobe am Mittwoch, 21. Juli 1999. Reid Anderson und Valentina Savina halten sich in ihrer Neuinszenierung weitgehend an die Choreographie der Urauffuehrung aus dem Jahr 1841. Premiere des romantischen Balletts ist am Samstag, 24. Juli. (AP Photo/Michael Latz)
Julie Kent Read the interview: From Bethesda to Baryshnikov, dance legend Julie Kent returns home to helm Washington Ballet (AP Photo/Michael Latz)
AP Photo/Michael Latz
Leonardo Dicaprio & Oscar winners Read: Backstage at the 88th annual Academy Awards (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP, File
Richard Dreyfuss, a cast member in "Zipper," poses at the premiere of the film at the Eccles Theatre during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Richard Dreyfuss Read the interview: Dreyfuss dishes on ‘Madoff,’ close encounters of the father kind (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Nicholas Sparks Read the interview: ‘Notebook’ to ‘The Choice’: How Nicholas Sparks makes sparks fly (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File
Kristin Chenoweth Read the interview: Kristin Chenoweth brings her ‘wicked’ talents to Strathmore (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File
Carol Burnett Read the interview: Carol Burnett dishes on hilarious career, latest TV role on ‘Five-O’ (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP
William Shatner Read the interview: William Shatner offers advice to D.C.’s Captain Kirk (Cousins) (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File
Alicia Vikander Read the interview: Alicia Vikander dishes on double Golden Globe nods (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
(1/49)
Clockwise from left: Natalie Portman, Bill Murray, Robert Duvall and Dolly Parton. (WTOP collage via AP)
Robert Duvall poses for a portrait during the 87th Academy Awards nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Gershwin Prize recipient Smokey Robinson appears for a special display while visiting the Library of Congress in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Actor Joel Edgerton, left, actress Ruth Negga and director Jeff Nichols attend the premiere of "Loving" at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Bill Murray at the Kennedy Center. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)
Artist Peter Frampton performs at the All for the Hall benefit concert at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)
Singer Jewel Kilcher attends "Howard Stern's Birthday Bash", presented by SiriusXM, at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kathleen Turner returns to Arena Stage for her fourth time in "The Year of Magical Thinking." (Tony Powell courtesy Arena Stage)
Marg Helgenberger visits WTOP ahead of her role in "The Little Foxes" at Arena Stage. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Paige O'Hara, who voiced Belle, visits Washington D.C. to promote the 25th anniversary Blu Ray of "Beauty and the Beast." (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
"Weird Al" Yankovic poses in the press room with the award for best comedy album for "Mandatory Fun" at the 57th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
The Temptations singing group. From left are; Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Glenn Beonard. Back row from left, Richard Street and Dennis Edwards. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
In this Aug. 18, 2016 photo, Henry Winkler poses for a portrait at his home in Los Angeles. Winkler stars with George Foreman, Terry Bradshaw and William Shatner in "Better Late Than Never," a four-episode reality series documenting their 35-day trip through Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Tim Meadows, a cast member in the FOX series "Son of Zorn," poses for a portrait during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
David Crosby performs onstage at a concert to defeat Prop. 32 at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
Kevin Costner &amp; Modern West perform at City Winery in New York, Monday, April 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Lonnie Jordan of War performing at Chastain Park Amphitheatre on Friday, August 23, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo by Robb D. Cohen/RobbsPhotos/Invision/AP)
Michael Bacon, left, and Kevin Bacon of The Bacon Brothers band pose for a portrait in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Bruce Johnston, left, and Mike Love of the band The Beach Boys perform in concert at the Modell Performing Arts Center At The Lyric on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016, in Baltimore. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Werner Herzog presents "Lo and Behold" at AFI Docs ahead of his honor at the Guggenheim Symposium. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Moby performs at The Fonda Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
The group Boyz II Men display their two awards backstage at the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Monday, March 13, 1995. The group won for best rhythm and blues single, group, band or duo; and for best rhythm and blues album, group. The members, from left, are, Michael McCary, Wanya Morris, Nate Morris and Shawn Stockman. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)
Ewan McGregor, star of "Last Days in the Desert," poses at a special screening of the film at Laemmle's Royal Theatre on Thursday, May 12, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Ana Gasteyer participates in the "Suburgatory" panel discussion at the Disney/ABC Winter 2014 TCA Press Tour on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Arch Campbell jokes with Conan O'Brien. (Courtesy Arch Campbell)
The statue of Abraham Lincoln watches over Alex Trebeck as "Jeopardy" tapes its Teen Tournament at D.A.R. Constitution Hall. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Director Marc Abraham (left) and actor Tom Hiddleston (right) visit Washington D.C. to promote the Hank Williams biopic "I Saw the Light." (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Julie Kent und Vladimir Malakhov tanzen die Hauptrollen in "Giselle", hier in einer Szene aus dem zweiten Akt bei der Generalprobe am Mittwoch, 21. Juli 1999. Reid Anderson und Valentina Savina halten sich in ihrer Neuinszenierung weitgehend an die Choreographie der Urauffuehrung aus dem Jahr 1841. Premiere des romantischen Balletts ist am Samstag, 24. Juli. (AP Photo/Michael Latz)
Richard Dreyfuss, a cast member in "Zipper," poses at the premiere of the film at the Eccles Theatre during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Scroll through the gallery to see some of WTOP’s most memorable celebrity interviews of 2016.

Jason Fraley

Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.

jfraley@wtop.com

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