Brian Linehan, 58; Longtime Canadian Talk Show Host

Brian Linehan, 58, producer and host of one of Canada’s most successful celebrity talk shows, “City Lights,” died Friday at his Toronto home of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Considered the “Charlie Rose of Canada,” Linehan was known for his meticulous research, memory for detail and long-winded questions that could surprise, flatter and horrify guests.

He conducted more than 2,000 interviews during the 13 years of his show, which ended in 1988. Among his guests were Clint Eastwood, Barbra Streisand and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Linehan became something of a celebrity himself, so much so that comedian Martin Short parodied him as Brock Linehan on SCTV.

Linehan’s work earned several awards, including the 1999 Gemini for best host of a lifestyle or performing arts program for his show “Linehan.”

Linehan was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and earned a degree in public relations from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute. He later taught a television journalism course at Toronto’s Humber College.

Last year, Linehan donated his extensive files -- 631 books, research notes, some 1,500 video recordings and more than 10,000 photographs -- to the Film Reference Library of the Toronto International Film Festival Group.