Is John Lithgow Gay, Still Alive, Net Worth, height, Young, Age – John Lithgow is a versatile American actor, comedian, poet, and singer with a remarkable career spanning over five decades. He is renowned for his roles in film and television, having won multiple awards and nominations for his outstanding performances. Let’s delve into his journey, from his early life and education to his celebrated career and personal life.

John Lithgow Early Life and Education

John Arthur Lithgow was born on October 19, 1945, in Rochester, New York, to parents deeply rooted in the entertainment world. His mother, Sarah Jane, was an actress, while his father, Arthur Washington Lithgow III, was a former producer and director who owned the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. John Lithgow has mixed ancestry.

Lithgow pursued his education at Harvard College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history and literature in 1967. Later, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which enabled him to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

John Lithgow Theater Career

John Lithgow’s career kicked off in the world of theater. In 1973, he won the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for his role in the Broadway production of David Storey’s ‘The Changing Room.’ The following year, he played ‘James’ in Robert Moore’s ‘My Fat Friend’ and ‘Laertes’ in Michael Rudman’s ‘Hamlet’ in 1975.

Lithgow’s career in theater continued to flourish as he appeared in various productions. Notable roles included ‘Requiem for a Heavyweight,’ for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor, and ‘M. Butterfly,’ which also earned him a Tony Award nomination.

In the early 2000s, Lithgow gained acclaim for his roles in Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his performance in the adaptation of the film ‘Sweet Smell of Success.’ He was also nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the musical ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ and the stage adaptation of David Auburn’s ‘The Columnist.’

His theater journey includes appearances in ‘The Magistrate,’ the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons,’ and Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear.’

John Lithgow Film Career

John Lithgow ventured into the world of film in 1972, debuting in ‘Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues’ as ‘John.’ Over the years, he appeared in films like ‘The Big Fix,’ ‘All That Jazz,’ and ‘Blow Out.’

In 1982, Lithgow gained recognition for his role in ‘The World According to Garp,’ where he portrayed ‘Roberta Muldoon’ alongside Robin Williams. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his exceptional performance.

He earned another Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of ‘Sam Burns’ in ‘Terms of Endearment’ (1983). The film was an adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s novel of the same name.

Lithgow showcased his versatility by playing ‘Dr. Emilio Lizardo’ in the 1984 science fiction romantic adventure comedy film ‘The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension’ and ‘Reverend Shaw Moore’ in ‘Footloose.’

In ‘2010,’ the sequel to ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ he portrayed ‘Walter Curnow,’ a space engineer. Lithgow also took on the role of an evil toy-maker in ‘Santa Claus: The Movie’ (1985).

Throughout the 1990s, Lithgow appeared in numerous films, playing supporting roles in popular films such as ‘Memphis Belle,’ ‘At Play in the Fields of the Lord,’ ‘Raising Cain,’ ‘The Pelican Brief,’ ‘Cliffhanger,’ ‘A Good Man in Africa,’ and ‘A Civil Action.’

In 2004, he appeared in the British-American television film ‘The Life and Death of Peter Sellers,’ a biographical film about comedian Peter Sellers. He also starred in Bill Condon’s American romantic musical drama ‘Dreamgirls,’ alongside Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, and Eddie Murphy.

In the 2011 science fiction film ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes,’ Lithgow portrayed ‘Charles Rodman,’ the father of James Franco’s character, displaying his versatility across genres.

John Lithgow Television Career

John Lithgow has made his mark in television, appearing in almost forty television shows and films. One of his breakthrough roles came in 1996 with the sitcom ‘3rd Rock from the Sun,’ where he portrayed ‘Dick Solomon.’ This role earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards and a prominent place in the world of show business.

In the crime drama series ‘Dexter,’ Lithgow portrayed the antagonist ‘Arthur Mitchell’ during the 2009 season. His chilling portrayal ranked him among the ’40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time’ by ‘Rolling Stone.’

He also appeared in the American sitcom ‘Twenty Good Years,’ ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ ‘Once Upon a Time in Wonderland’ (voice), and ‘Drunk History.’

In the Netflix original historical drama ‘The Crown,’ Lithgow’s portrayal of the first UK Prime Minister, ‘Winston Churchill,’ garnered widespread acclaim. He won a Primetime Emmy Award and received nominations at various award shows.

John Lithgow Other Works

John Lithgow’s contributions to children’s entertainment include writing books and composing music albums. He received four Grammy Award nominations for his singles and albums. Notable works include ‘Ogden Nash’s the Christmas that Almost Wasn’t’ and ‘The World According to Mr. Rogers.’

In 2005, Lithgow was nominated for the Grammy Best Spoken Word Album for Children award for his humorous musical suite ‘Carnival of the Animals.’ In 2007, his album ‘The Sunny Side of the Street’ received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Musical Album for Children.

John Lithgow Major Works

John Lithgow’s portrayal of ‘Dick Solomon’ in the science fiction sitcom ‘3rd Rock from the Sun’ marked a turning point in his acting career. He won a Golden Globe Award and three Primetime Emmy Awards for this role.

In ‘Dexter,’ his depiction of the serial killer ‘Arthur Mitchell’ showcased his ability to portray dark characters. His performance in the fourth season earned him a Satellite Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Lithgow’s portrayal of ‘Winston Churchill’ in the historical drama series ‘The Crown’ earned him multiple nominations and awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics’ Choice Television Award.

John Lithgow Personal Life

In 1966, John Lithgow married Jean Taynton, a teacher, and they had a son named Ian David Lithgow, who became a clinical psychologist and actor.

An affair between Lithgow and actress Liv Ullmann led to the end of his marriage to Jean Taynton in 1980. A year later, he married Mary Yeager, a history professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. The couple has two children, a daughter named Phoebe and a son named Nathan.

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Conclusion

John Lithgow’s illustrious career in entertainment, spanning theater, film, and television, reflects his incredible talent and versatility as an actor. His notable roles in ‘3rd Rock from the Sun,’ ‘Dexter,’ and ‘The Crown’ have earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards. Additionally, his contributions to children’s entertainment through books and music albums further highlight his diverse talents. Lithgow’s personal life has also seen its share of ups and downs, but his professional accomplishments continue to shine in the world of entertainment.

What is John Lithgow best known for?

John Lithgow is most famous for his roles in movies like “The World According to Garp” (1982) and “Terms of Endearment” (1983). He’s also well-known for his TV work in shows like “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001) and “Dexter” (2006-2013).

Why did John Lithgow decline a role in “Cheers”?

John Lithgow turned down a part in “Cheers” because he felt that doing regular TV episodes wasn’t something he wanted to do at the time. He thought it was “beneath his dignity.” Later on, he believed that Kelsey Grammer’s performance in “Cheers” was what made the character Frasier Crane so famous.

Is John Lithgow related to Clint Eastwood?

John Lithgow was surprised to find out that he’s related to other famous people like Sally Field, Alec Baldwin, and Clint Eastwood. They share a common ancestor, his ninth great-grandfather. This ancestor had many talented descendants, including painters, writers, and actors, like John Lithgow himself.

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