James Lipton - Il Nourrit le Main de Pimp Solide

James Lipton, the fussily proper Dean of the Actors Studio Drama School, host of "Inside the Actors Studio" on Bravo, and the subject of one of Will Farrell's best impressions, has revealed a former life as a Parisian pimp.  (HT: Ace)

The revered TV presenter, who has sat down with Hollywood's biggest names for in-depth chats about their life and work over the last 13 years, has revealed he once procured clients for French hookers.

He says, "This was when I was very very young, living in Paris, penniless, unable to get any kind of working permit... I had a friend who worked in what is called the Milieu, which is that world and she suggested to me one night, `Look, you'll be my meck... We would translate it perhaps... as pimp.

"We were earning our living together, this young woman and I, we made a rather good living, I must say."

How does this square with Lipton's 2003 appearance on Da Ali G Show? (Skip to 1:40)

Ali G:  Why is it that hos is better actors than men?
Lipton:  Uh... I should tell you, as Dean of the Actors Studio Drama School, that I don't use words like "hos" and I hate them.  And that's honestly.  It's the vernacular.  No, no, and "bitches" - I hate words like...
Ali G:  But why is that woman is so good at, like, pretending to be upset?  Like, oh Ali, you is forgotten me burfday...