If the adage “born to the theater” holds true, then John Lithgow’s life and career serve as a compelling testament. Born in Rochester, New York, to actress Sarah Jane (Price) and theatrical producer and director Arthur Washington Lithgow III, his upbringing was steeped in the world of performance. His father’s profession led the family to frequent moves across the Midwest as he established and managed local and collegiate theaters and Shakespeare festivals. It wasn’t until Lithgow was sixteen, when his father took the helm of the McCarter Theater in Princeton, New Jersey, that the family settled more permanently. Yet, despite this theatrical immersion, a career in acting wasn’t initially Lithgow’s envisioned path.
He secured a scholarship to Harvard University, a pivotal period where he succumbed to the “acting bug” and also found his first wife. Furthering his dramatic pursuits, Lithgow received a Fulbright scholarship to study at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Upon his return from London, his rigorous training paved the way for a distinguished Broadway career, marked by a Tony Award for “The Changing Room” and subsequent nominations for “Requiem For a Heavyweight” and “M. Butterfly.” However, this critical success coincided with personal upheaval, culminating in a divorce in the mid-1970s. Seeking direction, he entered therapy, and in 1982, a significant shift occurred as his career trajectory turned towards film. This new chapter began with an Academy Award nomination for his memorable portrayal of Roberta Muldoon in The World According to Garp (1982).
The momentum continued with a second Oscar nomination for Terms of Endearment (1983). During this period of professional resurgence, he also found personal happiness, marrying a UCLA economics professor who became his second wife. As the 1990s approached, the demands of location filming began to weigh on him, prompting another career evolution towards television, most notably in the widely popular series 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996).
Interestingly, 3rd Rock from the Sun also facilitated a reunion with his son from his first marriage, Ian Lithgow, who had a recurring role in the series as a somewhat less-than-brilliant student. John Lithgow’s journey from theatrical stages to the silver screen showcases not only his immense talent but also his adaptability and enduring appeal across different entertainment mediums. His film roles, in particular, have solidified his place as a versatile and respected actor in Hollywood.
