Terry Gross

Appearances: 1Shows: 1Latest: Jan 8, 2026

Latest appearance: Jan 8, 2026 on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert →

Terry Gross (born February 14, 1951)[1] is an American journalist who is the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, an interview-based radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and distributed nationally by NPR. Since joining NPR in 1975, Gross has interviewed thousands of guests.[2][3] Gross has won praise over the years for her low-key and friendly yet often probing interview style…

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The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (1)

Jan 8, 2026 · The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Terry Gross’s January 8, 2026 Late Show appearance reflects on her husband Francis Davis, the tribute she made through Fresh Air, and the five decades and thousands of interviews that define her radio career.

Interview

Interview Clip 2

Terry Gross discusses the death of her husband, Francis Davis, and the Fresh Air tribute she created from his writing and favorite jazz. She reflects on grief, memory, and how sharing his work helped her return to the audience and preserve part of his life.

Interview

Interview Clip 1

Terry Gross reflects on hosting Fresh Air for 50 years and conducting roughly 15,000 to 18,000 interviews. She discusses longevity, preparation, memorable guests, and the habits that have allowed her to keep asking thoughtful questions across decades of radio.

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