His adoptive mother encouraged his talent for the piano. By 1980, Leslie was giving concerts in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Because of his new fame, he was asked to be on many television programs such as CBC's "Man Alive" (hosted by Roy Bonisteel), "CBS Evening News", "60 Minutes", and "That's Incredible!". In 1983, ABC broadcast "The Woman Who Willed a Miracle", a drama about Leslie and his adoptive mother. It stars Cloris Leachman as May Lemke. Leslie is also the subject of Fred Small's song, "Leslie is Different."