John Lithgow

John Lithgow

John Arthur Lithgow (/ˈlɪθɡoʊ/ LITH-goh; born October 19, 1945) is an American actor. He studied at Harvard University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before becoming known for his diverse work on stage and screen. He has received numerous accolades, including six Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Tony Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, four Grammy Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Laurence Olivier Award. Lithgow won two Tony Awards, his first for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his Broadway debut in The Changing Room (1972) and his second for Best Actor in a Musical for the musical Sweet Smell of Success (2002). He was Tony-nominated for Requiem for a Heavyweight (1985), M. Butterfly (1988), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005). He has acted in the plays The Columnist (2012), A Delicate Balance (2014), and Hillary and Clinton (2019). He portrayed Roald Dahl in the play Giant on the West End, for which he was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor.  He starred as Dick Solomon in the television sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001), winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. He received further Primetime Emmy Awards for his performances as Arthur Mitchell in the drama Dexter (2009) and as Winston Churchill in the Netflix drama The Crown (2016–2019). He also starred in HBO's Perry Mason (2020) and FX's The Old Man (2022). On film, he has received two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor nominations for his roles as a transsexual ex-football player in The World According to Garp (1982) and a lonely banker in Terms of Endearment (1983). He also acted in All That Jazz (1979), Blow Out (1981), Footloose (1984), Harry and the Hendersons (1987), A Civil Action (1998), Shrek (2001), Kinsey (2004), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Love Is Strange (2014), Interstellar (2014), Late Night (2019), Bombshell (2019), Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), and Conclave (2024). Description above from the Wikipedia article John Lithgow, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

More details

Known For

Filmography

2025

The Rule of Jenny Pen
The Rule of Jenny Pen
as Dave Crealy
Movie - Released: 3/7/2025
Jimpa
Jimpa
as Jimpa
Movie - Released: 1/23/2025
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
as Self
TV - Released: 1/16/2025

2024

Cabrini
Cabrini
as Mayor Gould
Movie - Released: 3/7/2024
Spellbound
Spellbound
as Bolinar (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/22/2024
Art Happens Here with John Lithgow
Art Happens Here with John Lithgow
as Self
Movie - Released: 4/26/2024
Conclave
Conclave
as Tremblay
Movie - Released: 10/25/2024

2023

Sharper
Sharper
as Richard Hobbes
Movie - Released: 2/10/2023
Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic
Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic
as Self
Movie - Released: 12/21/2023
Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon
as Prosecutor Peter Leaward
Movie - Released: 10/18/2023
Liv Ullmann: A Road Less Travelled
Liv Ullmann: A Road Less Travelled
as Self
TV - Released: 5/21/2023

2022

Chez Bob
Chez Bob
Movie - Released: 12/15/2022
The Bubble
The Bubble
as Tom the Studio Chairman
Movie - Released: 3/25/2022
Sherri
Sherri
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 9/12/2022
The Old Man
The Old Man
as Harold Harper
TV - Released: 6/16/2022

2021

Myths and Hymns
Myths and Hymns
Movie - Released: 1/13/2021
Emily @ the Edge of Chaos
Emily @ the Edge of Chaos
as Sir Isaac Newton (voice)
Movie - Released: 5/7/2021
Show of Titles
Show of Titles
as "There's No Business Like Show Business" Performer
Movie - Released: 6/13/2021
Dexter: New Blood
Dexter: New Blood
as Arthur Mitchell
TV - Released: 11/7/2021
Ultra City Smiths
Ultra City Smiths
as Ol' Gregory Timms
TV - Released: 9/13/2021

2020

Give My Regards to Broadway
Give My Regards to Broadway
as Self
Movie - Released: 7/16/2020
Perry Mason
Perry Mason
as Elias Birchard 'E.B.' Jonathan
TV - Released: 6/21/2020
Stars in the House
Stars in the House
as Self - Special Guest
TV - Released: 3/16/2020

2019

Late Night
Late Night
as Walter Lovell
Movie - Released: 1/25/2019
Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary
as Jud Crandall
Movie - Released: 4/4/2019
Bombshell
Bombshell
as Roger Ailes
Movie - Released: 12/13/2019
The Tomorrow Man
The Tomorrow Man
as Ed Hemsler
Movie - Released: 5/22/2019
The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts
The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts
as President Donald J. Trump
Movie - Released: 6/24/2019
On Broadway
On Broadway
as Self
Movie - Released: 10/12/2019
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
as Self
TV - Released: 9/9/2019

2018

Mister Rogers: It's You I Like
Mister Rogers: It's You I Like
as Self
Movie - Released: 3/6/2018
Pet Sematary: The Tale of Timmy Baterman
Pet Sematary: The Tale of Timmy Baterman
as Jud Crandall
Movie - Released: 11/13/2018
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 3/6/2018
James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
as Self
TV - Released: 4/29/2018
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
TV - Released: 6/22/2018

2017

They All Saw a Cat
They All Saw a Cat
Movie - Released: 1/1/2017
Broadway: The Next Generation
Broadway: The Next Generation
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/16/2017
Beatriz at Dinner
Beatriz at Dinner
as Doug Strutt
Movie - Released: 6/9/2017
Daddy's Home 2
Daddy's Home 2
as Don
Movie - Released: 11/9/2017
The Pulitzer At 100
The Pulitzer At 100
as Self
Movie - Released: 7/21/2017
Pitch Perfect 3
Pitch Perfect 3
as Fergus
Movie - Released: 12/20/2017
Hickory Dickory Doc
Hickory Dickory Doc
as Himself
Movie - Released: 1/30/2017
Trial & Error
Trial & Error
as Larry Henderson
TV - Released: 3/14/2017

2016

The Accountant
The Accountant
as Lamar Blackburn
Movie - Released: 10/13/2016
Movie
Ode to Joy: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 4/5/2016
Miss Sloane
Miss Sloane
as Senator Ronald Sperling
Movie - Released: 11/25/2016
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
as Self - Performer
Movie - Released: 4/23/2016
The Crown
The Crown
as Winston Churchill
TV - Released: 11/4/2016

2015

Inside 'Interstellar'
Inside 'Interstellar'
as Self
Movie - Released: 3/31/2015
Projections of America
Projections of America
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/10/2015
Movie
Lord John
Movie - Released: 7/20/2015
Best of Enemies
Best of Enemies
as Self
Movie - Released: 7/31/2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 9/8/2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV - Released: 9/8/2015
Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter
Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter
as Self
TV - Released: 8/2/2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self
TV - Released: 9/8/2015

2014

Interstellar
Interstellar
as Donald
Movie - Released: 11/5/2014
Love Is Strange
Love Is Strange
as Ben
Movie - Released: 8/22/2014
The Homesman
The Homesman
as Reverend Alfred Dowd
Movie - Released: 5/18/2014
The Jungle Bunch 2: The Great Treasure Quest
The Jungle Bunch 2: The Great Treasure Quest
as Maurice (voice)
Movie - Released: 8/27/2014
9 Kisses
9 Kisses
as Man in Club
Movie - Released: 12/11/2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Late Night with Seth Meyers
as Self
TV - Released: 2/25/2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self
TV - Released: 2/17/2014
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
as James Roosevelt (voice)
TV - Released: 9/14/2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
as Self
TV - Released: 12/21/2014

2013

Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love
Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love
as Self
Movie - Released: 10/12/2013
National Theatre Live: The Magistrate
National Theatre Live: The Magistrate
as Posket
Movie - Released: 1/17/2013
Shrek Stories
Shrek Stories
as Lord Farquaad (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/1/2013
Movie
Timms Valley
as Ol' Gregory Timms
Movie - Released: 12/31/2013
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
as The White Rabbit (voice)
TV - Released: 10/10/2013

2012

Casting By
Casting By
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/1/2012
The Campaign
The Campaign
as Glen Motch
Movie - Released: 8/9/2012
This Is 40
This Is 40
as Oliver
Movie - Released: 12/20/2012
Finding Your Roots
Finding Your Roots
as Self
TV - Released: 3/24/2012

2011

Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
as Charles Rodman
Movie - Released: 8/3/2011
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
as Jonathan Cox (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 12/8/2011
Shrek: Once Upon a Time
Shrek: Once Upon a Time
as Self
Movie - Released: 12/30/2011
Prohibition
Prohibition
as Reader / H.L. Mencken (voice)
TV - Released: 10/2/2011

2010

Leap Year
Leap Year
as Jack Brady
Movie - Released: 1/8/2010
Conan
Conan
as Self
TV - Released: 11/8/2010

2009

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Confessions of a Shopaholic
as Edgar West
Movie - Released: 2/5/2009
Miracle in a Box: A Piano Reborn
Miracle in a Box: A Piano Reborn
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 10/10/2009
The Macabre World of Lavender Williams
The Macabre World of Lavender Williams
as God
Movie - Released: 5/31/2009
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 7/16/2009

2008

Car of the Future
Car of the Future
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 4/22/2008

2007

ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
as Self
Movie - Released: 4/19/2007
The Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show
as Self
TV - Released: 2/22/2007

2006

Movie
Sangre
as Cafe chef and owner
Movie - Released: 1/1/2006
Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls
as Jerry Harris
Movie - Released: 12/25/2006
Movie
The Great Robot Race: The DARPA Grand Challenge
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 3/28/2006
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays
as René Gallimard (segment "M. Butterfly")
Movie - Released: 5/2/2006
Twenty Good Years
Twenty Good Years
TV - Released: 10/11/2006
30 Rock
30 Rock
as John Lithgow
TV - Released: 10/11/2006
Dexter
Dexter
as Arthur Mitchell
TV - Released: 10/1/2006
The One Show
The One Show
as Self
TV - Released: 8/14/2006

2005

Einstein's Big Idea
Einstein's Big Idea
as Narrator (voice) U.S. edition
Movie - Released: 10/11/2005
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
as Jerry Whittaker
TV - Released: 9/19/2005
TV
The Apprentice: Martha Stewart
TV - Released: 9/21/2005
The Colbert Report
The Colbert Report
TV - Released: 10/17/2005

2004

The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
as Blake Edwards
Movie - Released: 10/1/2004
Kinsey
Kinsey
as Alfred Seguine Kinsey
Movie - Released: 9/4/2004
Movie
Dogs and More Dogs
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 2/3/2004
TV
The Tony Danza Show
as Self
TV - Released: 9/13/2004

2003

The Ghost of Lord Farquaad
The Ghost of Lord Farquaad
as Ghost of Farquaad (voice)
Movie - Released: 5/23/2003
Bark, George
Bark, George
Movie - Released: 1/1/2003
TV
VH1 Goes Inside
TV - Released: 6/20/2003

2002

Orange County
Orange County
as Bud Brumder
Movie - Released: 1/11/2002
Buckaroo Banzai Declassified
Buckaroo Banzai Declassified
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/4/2002
E! Live from the Red Carpet
E! Live from the Red Carpet
as Self
TV - Released: 1/13/2002

2001

Shrek
Shrek
as Lord Farquaad (voice)
Movie - Released: 5/18/2001
Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party
Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party
as Lord Farquaad (singing voice)
Movie - Released: 11/2/2001

2000

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
as Jean-Claude (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/17/2000
95 Worlds and Counting
95 Worlds and Counting
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 1/1/2000
Don Quixote
Don Quixote
as Don Quixote de La Mancha / Alonso Quixano
Movie - Released: 4/9/2000

1999

Tales from the Crypt: The Robert Zemeckis Collection
Tales from the Crypt: The Robert Zemeckis Collection
as Dr. Oscar Charles
Movie - Released: 9/7/1999
The Early Show
The Early Show
as Self
TV - Released: 11/1/1999

1998

A Civil Action
A Civil Action
as Judge Walter J. Skinner
Movie - Released: 12/25/1998
Homegrown
Homegrown
as Malcolm / Robert Stockman
Movie - Released: 4/17/1998
Johnny Skidmarks
Johnny Skidmarks
as Sergeant Larry Skovik
Movie - Released: 1/18/1998

1997

Officer Buckle and Gloria
Officer Buckle and Gloria
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/1/1997
The View
The View
as Self
TV - Released: 8/11/1997
The View
The View
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 8/11/1997

1996

Hollow Point
Hollow Point
as Thomas Livingston
Movie - Released: 10/21/1996
Special Effects: Anything Can Happen
Special Effects: Anything Can Happen
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 7/4/1996
3rd Rock from the Sun
3rd Rock from the Sun
as Dick Solomon
TV - Released: 1/9/1996
Cosby
Cosby
as John Lithgow
TV - Released: 9/16/1996
The West
The West
as Self
TV - Released: 9/15/1996
The Daily Show
The Daily Show
as Self
TV - Released: 7/22/1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 6/10/1996
The West
The West
as Self / Uriah Oblinger (voice)
TV - Released: 9/15/1996

1995

The Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen
as Senator Conyers
Movie - Released: 8/25/1995
Redwood Curtain
Redwood Curtain
as Laird Riordan
Movie - Released: 1/1/1995
Movie
My Brother's Keeper
as Tom Bradley / Bob Bradley
Movie - Released: 3/19/1995
American Cinema
American Cinema
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 1/23/1995

1994

A Good Man in Africa
A Good Man in Africa
as Arthur Fanshawe, British High Commissioner
Movie - Released: 7/14/1994
Princess Caraboo
Princess Caraboo
as Professor Wilkinson
Movie - Released: 9/16/1994
Silent Fall
Silent Fall
as Dr. Rene Harlinger
Movie - Released: 10/28/1994
Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
as Self
Movie - Released: 5/22/1994
American Cinema
American Cinema
TV - Released: 1/1/1994
World War II: When Lions Roared
World War II: When Lions Roared
as Franklin Delano Roosevelt
TV - Released: 4/19/1994

1993

The Pelican Brief
The Pelican Brief
as Smith Keen
Movie - Released: 9/17/1993
Cliffhanger
Cliffhanger
as Eric Qualen
Movie - Released: 5/28/1993
The Wrong Man
The Wrong Man
as Phillip Mills
Movie - Released: 9/5/1993
Love, Cheat & Steal
Love, Cheat & Steal
as Paul Harrington
Movie - Released: 12/5/1993
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 1/1/1993
The Country Mouse & the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale
The Country Mouse & the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale
as Alexander (voice)
Movie - Released: 12/8/1993
Frasier
Frasier
as Madman Martinez (voice)
TV - Released: 9/16/1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 9/13/1993

1992

Raising Cain
Raising Cain
as Carter Nix / Cain / Dr. Nix / Josh / Margo
Movie - Released: 8/7/1992

1991

Ricochet
Ricochet
as Earl Talbott Blake
Movie - Released: 10/4/1991
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
as Leslie Huben
Movie - Released: 12/6/1991
The Boys
The Boys
as Artie Margulies
Movie - Released: 4/15/1991

1990

Memphis Belle
Memphis Belle
as Bruce Derringer
Movie - Released: 9/7/1990
Ivory Hunters
Ivory Hunters
as Robert Carter
Movie - Released: 8/20/1990
Night of 100 Stars III
Night of 100 Stars III
as Self
Movie - Released: 5/21/1990
John Lithgow's Kid-Sized Concert
John Lithgow's Kid-Sized Concert
Movie - Released: 6/1/1990

1989

Out Cold
Out Cold
as Dave
Movie - Released: 3/3/1989
Traveling Man
Traveling Man
as Ben Cluett
Movie - Released: 6/25/1989
Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt
as Dr. Oscar Charles
TV - Released: 6/10/1989
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
as Gus (voice)
TV - Released: 12/17/1989
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
as John Lithgow (voice)
TV - Released: 12/17/1989

1988

Distant Thunder
Distant Thunder
as Mark Lambert
Movie - Released: 11/11/1988

1987

Harry and the Hendersons
Harry and the Hendersons
as George Henderson
Movie - Released: 6/5/1987
Movie
Baby Girl Scott
as Neil Scott
Movie - Released: 1/1/1987
The Amazing Bone
The Amazing Bone
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 6/1/1987

1986

The Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project
as John Mathewson
Movie - Released: 6/13/1986
Resting Place
Resting Place
as Maj. Kendall Laird
Movie - Released: 4/27/1986

1985

Santa Claus: The Movie
Santa Claus: The Movie
as B.Z.
Movie - Released: 10/29/1985
Mesmerized
Mesmerized
as Oliver Thompson
Movie - Released: 11/18/1985
Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie
Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie
as Self
Movie - Released: 12/1/1985
Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
as John Walters
TV - Released: 9/29/1985

1984

Footloose
Footloose
as Rev. Shaw Moore
Movie - Released: 2/17/1984
2010
2010
as Dr. Walter Curnow
Movie - Released: 12/6/1984
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
as Lord John Whorfin
Movie - Released: 8/10/1984
The Glitter Dome
The Glitter Dome
as Sgt. Marty Wellborn
Movie - Released: 11/18/1984
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
as Goldilocks' Father
Movie - Released: 1/9/1984
2010 : The Odyssey Continues
2010 : The Odyssey Continues
as Himself
Movie - Released: 1/1/1984

1983

Terms of Endearment
Terms of Endearment
as Sam Burns
Movie - Released: 11/20/1983
The Day After
The Day After
as Joe Huxley
Movie - Released: 11/20/1983
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie
as Valentine
Movie - Released: 6/24/1983

1982

The World According to Garp
The World According to Garp
as Roberta Muldoon
Movie - Released: 8/13/1982
I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can
I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can
as Mr. Brunner
Movie - Released: 3/5/1982
Movie
Not in Front of the Children
as Richard Carruthers
Movie - Released: 10/26/1982
Faerie Tale Theatre
Faerie Tale Theatre
as Goldilocks' Father
TV - Released: 9/11/1982

1981

Blow Out
Blow Out
as Burke
Movie - Released: 7/24/1981

1980

The Oldest Living Graduate
The Oldest Living Graduate
as Clarence
Movie - Released: 4/7/1980
Big Blonde
Big Blonde
as Herbie Morse
Movie - Released: 12/1/1980
Mom, the Wolfman and Me
Mom, the Wolfman and Me
as Wally
Movie - Released: 10/20/1980

1979

All That Jazz
All That Jazz
as Lucas Sergeant
Movie - Released: 12/16/1979
Rich Kids
Rich Kids
as Paul Philips
Movie - Released: 8/17/1979

1978

The Big Fix
The Big Fix
as Sam Sebastian
Movie - Released: 10/6/1978

1977

Secret Service
Secret Service
as Capt. Thorne
Movie - Released: 1/12/1977

1976

Obsession
Obsession
as Robert Lasalle
Movie - Released: 8/1/1976

1975

Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Host
TV - Released: 10/11/1975

1974

The Country Girl
The Country Girl
as Paul Unger
Movie - Released: 2/5/1974
NOVA
NOVA
as Narrator
TV - Released: 3/3/1974

1972

1971

Great Performances
Great Performances
as Capt. Thorne
TV - Released: 1/28/1971

1956

Tony Awards
Tony Awards
as Self - Presenter
TV - Released: 4/1/1956
Tony Awards
Tony Awards
as Self - Nominee & Performer
TV - Released: 4/1/1956
Tony Awards
Tony Awards
as Self - Winner
TV - Released: 4/1/1956
Tony Awards
Tony Awards
as Self - Nominee
TV - Released: 4/1/1956
Tony Awards
Tony Awards
as Self - Nominee/Performer
TV - Released: 4/1/1956

1953

The Oscars
The Oscars
as Self - Presenter
TV - Released: 3/19/1953

1952

Today
Today
as Self
TV - Released: 1/14/1952

1951

Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
as Paul Unger
TV - Released: 12/24/1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
as Major Kendall Laird
TV - Released: 12/24/1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
as Laird Riordan
TV - Released: 12/24/1951

1944

Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Nominee
TV - Released: 1/20/1944
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Presenter
TV - Released: 1/20/1944
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Winner
TV - Released: 1/20/1944

Unknown

Amazing Stories: The Movie II
Amazing Stories: The Movie II
as John Walters (archive footage)
Movie
TV
Harry Potter
as Albus Dumbledore
TV