John Lithgow

John Lithgow

Acting
Born 1945-10-19Rochester, New York, USA

Biography

John Arthur Lithgow (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 transgender 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).

Movies (147)

Interstellar
8.5

Interstellar

2014Movie8.5
Shrek
7.8

Shrek

2001Movie7.8
Killers of the Flower Moon
7.4

Killers of the Flower Moon

2023Movie7.4
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
7.4

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011Movie7.4
Conclave
7.2

Conclave

2024Movie7.2
The Accountant
7.1

The Accountant

2016Movie7.1
Pet Sematary
5.7

Pet Sematary

2019Movie5.7
Miss Sloane
7.4

Miss Sloane

2016Movie7.4
Dreamgirls
6.7

Dreamgirls

2006Movie6.7
Confessions of a Shopaholic
6.5

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2009Movie6.5
Twilight Zone: The Movie
6.5

Twilight Zone: The Movie

1983Movie6.5
Bombshell
6.8

Bombshell

2019Movie6.8
The Pelican Brief
6.6

The Pelican Brief

1993Movie6.6
2010
6.7

2010

1984Movie6.7
Sharper
6.9

Sharper

2023Movie6.9
All That Jazz
7.5

All That Jazz

1979Movie7.5
Cliffhanger
6.5

Cliffhanger

1993Movie6.5
Footloose
6.7

Footloose

1984Movie6.7
Blow Out
7.4

Blow Out

1981Movie7.4
Spellbound
6.6

Spellbound

2024Movie6.6
Leap Year
6.9

Leap Year

2010Movie6.9
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
6.0

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

1984Movie6.0
Pitch Perfect 3
6.5

Pitch Perfect 3

2017Movie6.5
The Homesman
6.5

The Homesman

2014Movie6.5
Late Night
6.4

Late Night

2019Movie6.4
Daddy's Home 2
6.3

Daddy's Home 2

2017Movie6.3
This Is 40
5.9

This Is 40

2012Movie5.9
Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic
7.6

Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic

2026Movie7.6
The Day After
6.8

The Day After

1983Movie6.8
New Year's Eve
5.9

New Year's Eve

2011Movie5.9
The Bubble
4.6

The Bubble

2022Movie4.6
A Civil Action
6.5

A Civil Action

1998Movie6.5
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
6.7

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie

2000Movie6.7
Ricochet
6.1

Ricochet

1991Movie6.1
Kinsey
6.6

Kinsey

2004Movie6.6
Terms of Endearment
7.1

Terms of Endearment

1983Movie7.1
Orange County
6.0

Orange County

2002Movie6.0
The World According to Garp
6.7

The World According to Garp

1982Movie6.7
Harry and the Hendersons
6.1

Harry and the Hendersons

1987Movie6.1
The Campaign
5.8

The Campaign

2012Movie5.8
Shrek 3-D
5.9

Shrek 3-D

2004Movie5.9
Memphis Belle
6.7

Memphis Belle

1990Movie6.7
The Rule of Jenny Pen
6.1

The Rule of Jenny Pen

2025Movie6.1
Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
9.0

Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects

1994Movie9.0
The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts
7.6

The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts

2019Movie7.6
The Tuskegee Airmen
7.1

The Tuskegee Airmen

1995Movie7.1
Jimpa
6.7

Jimpa

2026Movie6.7
Raising Cain
6.0

Raising Cain

1992Movie6.0
The Manhattan Project
6.2

The Manhattan Project

1986Movie6.2
Cabrini
7.7

Cabrini

2024Movie7.7
Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic
7.0

Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic

2023Movie7.0
Inside 'Interstellar'
6.9

Inside 'Interstellar'

2015Movie6.9
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
6.6

The Life and Death of Peter Sellers

2004Movie6.6
Beatriz at Dinner
5.8

Beatriz at Dinner

2017Movie5.8
On Broadway
8.7

On Broadway

2019Movie8.7
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
6.9

Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special

1999Movie6.9
Obsession
6.7

Obsession

1976Movie6.7
Resting Place
6.3

Resting Place

1986Movie6.3
Santa Claus: The Movie
6.3

Santa Claus: The Movie

1985Movie6.3
The Smurfs Movie

The Smurfs Movie

Movie
The Big Fix
5.8

The Big Fix

1978Movie5.8
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes
7.5

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes

2021Movie7.5
Show of Titles

Show of Titles

2021Movie
Princess Caraboo
5.5

Princess Caraboo

1994Movie5.5
Distant Thunder
5.8

Distant Thunder

1988Movie5.8
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
6.6

At Play in the Fields of the Lord

1991Movie6.6
The Macabre World of Lavender Williams
4.7

The Macabre World of Lavender Williams

2009Movie4.7
Best of Enemies
7.2

Best of Enemies

2015Movie7.2
ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
7.2

ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway

2007Movie7.2
Hickory Dickory Doc

Hickory Dickory Doc

2017Movie
Homegrown
5.6

Homegrown

1998Movie5.6
Love Is Strange
6.3

Love Is Strange

2014Movie6.3
Out Cold
5.9

Out Cold

1989Movie5.9
Secret Service
8.0

Secret Service

1977Movie8.0
Shrek: Once Upon a Time
7.5

Shrek: Once Upon a Time

2011Movie7.5
The Glitter Dome
4.5

The Glitter Dome

1984Movie4.5
Happy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney Years
7.2

Happy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney Years

1990Movie7.2
Silent Fall
5.3

Silent Fall

1994Movie5.3
The Tomorrow Man
5.7

The Tomorrow Man

2019Movie5.7
Don Quixote
6.3

Don Quixote

2000Movie6.3
Giant

Giant

2026Movie
Rich Kids
4.9

Rich Kids

1979Movie4.9
Redwood Curtain
6.5

Redwood Curtain

1995Movie6.5
The Pulitzer At 100
6.0

The Pulitzer At 100

2017Movie6.0
Einstein's Big Idea
7.4

Einstein's Big Idea

2005Movie7.4
Mister Rogers: It's You I Like
7.8

Mister Rogers: It's You I Like

2018Movie7.8
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
6.3

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

1984Movie6.3
Mesmerized
4.8

Mesmerized

1985Movie4.8
My Brother's Keeper
1.0

My Brother's Keeper

1995Movie1.0
Night of 100 Stars III
4.3

Night of 100 Stars III

1990Movie4.3
Emily @ the Edge of Chaos

Emily @ the Edge of Chaos

2021Movie
A Good Man in Africa
4.9

A Good Man in Africa

1994Movie4.9
Amazing Stories: The Movie II

Amazing Stories: The Movie II

1990Movie
Myths and Hymns

Myths and Hymns

2021Movie
Love, Cheat & Steal
4.5

Love, Cheat & Steal

1993Movie4.5
Traveling Man
4.0

Traveling Man

1989Movie4.0
Shrek Stories
8.1

Shrek Stories

2013Movie8.1
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays

The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays

2006Movie
9 Kisses
5.5

9 Kisses

2014Movie5.5
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
7.4

Shakespeare Live! From the RSC

2016Movie7.4
I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can
7.0

I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can

1982Movie7.0
The Wrong Man
5.1

The Wrong Man

1993Movie5.1
Hollow Point
5.3

Hollow Point

1996Movie5.3
Casting By
6.9

Casting By

2012Movie6.9
Johnny Skidmarks
5.4

Johnny Skidmarks

1998Movie5.4
Broadway: The Next Generation

Broadway: The Next Generation

Movie
Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party
6.3

Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party

2001Movie6.3
Timms Valley
6.2

Timms Valley

2013Movie6.2
Lord John

Lord John

2015Movie
The Jungle Bunch 2: The Great Treasure Quest
5.7

The Jungle Bunch 2: The Great Treasure Quest

2014Movie5.7
2010 : The Odyssey Continues
10.0

2010 : The Odyssey Continues

1984Movie10.0
The Boys
7.0

The Boys

1991Movie7.0
Buckaroo Banzai Declassified
8.5

Buckaroo Banzai Declassified

2002Movie8.5
Stallone on the Edge: The Making of Cliffhanger
6.0

Stallone on the Edge: The Making of Cliffhanger

1993Movie6.0
Tales from the Crypt: The Robert Zemeckis Collection
8.7

Tales from the Crypt: The Robert Zemeckis Collection

1999Movie8.7
Big Blonde
6.0

Big Blonde

1980Movie6.0
Chez Bob

Chez Bob

2022Movie
The Oldest Living Graduate
4.0

The Oldest Living Graduate

1980Movie4.0
Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues
5.3

Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues

1972Movie5.3
Art Happens Here with John Lithgow

Art Happens Here with John Lithgow

2024Movie
Footloose: A Modern Musical

Footloose: A Modern Musical

2004Movie
Baby Girl Scott
7.5

Baby Girl Scott

1987Movie7.5
Car of the Future
6.0

Car of the Future

2008Movie6.0
Officer Buckle and Gloria
8.5

Officer Buckle and Gloria

1997Movie8.5
Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love
9.0

Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love

2013Movie9.0
Sangre

Sangre

2006Movie
Ivory Hunters
4.9

Ivory Hunters

1990Movie4.9
Mom, the Wolfman and Me
7.0

Mom, the Wolfman and Me

1980Movie7.0
The Country Girl
10.0

The Country Girl

1974Movie10.0
The Amazing Bone

The Amazing Bone

1987Movie
Give My Regards to Broadway

Give My Regards to Broadway

2020Movie
Special Effects: Anything Can Happen
10.0

Special Effects: Anything Can Happen

1996Movie10.0
Bark, George

Bark, George

2003Movie
Not in Front of the Children
7.5

Not in Front of the Children

1982Movie7.5
Pet Sematary: The Tale of Timmy Baterman
7.0

Pet Sematary: The Tale of Timmy Baterman

2018Movie7.0
Projections of America
5.0

Projections of America

2015Movie5.0
Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie
5.4

Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie

1985Movie5.4
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
10.0

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

1993Movie10.0
National Theatre Live: The Magistrate
6.0

National Theatre Live: The Magistrate

2013Movie6.0
The Country Mouse & the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale
8.0

The Country Mouse & the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale

1993Movie8.0
They All Saw a Cat

They All Saw a Cat

2017Movie
Ode to Joy: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

Ode to Joy: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

2016Movie
The Great Robot Race: The DARPA Grand Challenge

The Great Robot Race: The DARPA Grand Challenge

2006Movie
John Lithgow's Kid-Sized Concert
5.0

John Lithgow's Kid-Sized Concert

1990Movie5.0
Miracle in a Box: A Piano Reborn

Miracle in a Box: A Piano Reborn

2009Movie
95 Worlds and Counting
7.0

95 Worlds and Counting

2000Movie7.0
Dogs and More Dogs
5.2

Dogs and More Dogs

2004Movie5.2

TV Shows (65)

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
4.9

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009Series4.9
The Simpsons
8.0

The Simpsons

1989Series8.0
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
5.8

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014Series5.8
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
6.1

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015Series6.1
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962Series7.5
The Daily Show
6.4

The Daily Show

1996Series6.4
The Kelly Clarkson Show
6.3

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019Series6.3
Dexter
8.2

Dexter

2006Series8.2
Late Night with Seth Meyers
5.1

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014Series5.1
Frasier
7.7

Frasier

1993Series7.7
Saturday Night Live
6.9

Saturday Night Live

1975Series6.9
The Graham Norton Show
7.2

The Graham Norton Show

2007Series7.2
The Late Late Show with James Corden
5.1

The Late Late Show with James Corden

2015Series5.1
NOVA
7.0

NOVA

1974Series7.0
Conan
7.2

Conan

2010Series7.2
How I Met Your Mother
8.1

How I Met Your Mother

2005Series8.1
The Colbert Report
7.0

The Colbert Report

2005Series7.0
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
5.3

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003Series5.3
The View
4.3

The View

1997Series4.3
The Crown
8.2

The Crown

2016Series8.2
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
7.3

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

1993Series7.3
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
30 Rock
7.5

30 Rock

2006Series7.5
Great Performances
6.1

Great Performances

1971Series6.1
Sherri
2.6

Sherri

2022Series2.6
Tales from the Crypt
8.0

Tales from the Crypt

1989Series8.0
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956Series
3rd Rock from the Sun
7.5

3rd Rock from the Sun

1996Series7.5
Film '72
5.1

Film '72

1971Series5.1
Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter
6.2

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

2015Series6.2
The One Show
4.4

The One Show

2006Series4.4
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
4.2

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

2014Series4.2
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
8.0

Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

2018Series8.0
Perry Mason
7.2

Perry Mason

2020Series7.2
The Tony Danza Show
6.4

The Tony Danza Show

2004Series6.4
Finding Your Roots
6.5

Finding Your Roots

2012Series6.5
Dexter: Resurrection
8.5

Dexter: Resurrection

2025Series8.5
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
Today
5.6

Today

1952Series5.6
Harry Potter

Harry Potter

2026Series
Amazing Stories
7.5

Amazing Stories

1985Series7.5
Dexter: New Blood
7.9

Dexter: New Blood

2021Series7.9
Stars in the House

Stars in the House

2020Series
The Old Man
7.2

The Old Man

2022Series7.2
Faerie Tale Theatre
8.1

Faerie Tale Theatre

1982Series8.1
Live from E!
3.7

Live from E!

2002Series3.7
Trial & Error
7.0

Trial & Error

2017Series7.0
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
6.8

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

2013Series6.8
Cosby
6.1

Cosby

1996Series6.1
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer
7.1

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer

2018Series7.1
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
8.0

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night

2025Series8.0
James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
6.8

James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction

2018Series6.8
The Early Show
6.2

The Early Show

1999Series6.2
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
4.1

The Rosie O'Donnell Show

1996Series4.1
Prohibition
7.8

Prohibition

2011Series7.8
Liv Ullmann: A Road Less Travelled
8.0

Liv Ullmann: A Road Less Travelled

2023Series8.0
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
7.7

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History

2014Series7.7
DreamWorks 6 Spooky Stories Collection
7.0

DreamWorks 6 Spooky Stories Collection

2003Series7.0
VH1 Goes Inside
8.5

VH1 Goes Inside

2003Series8.5
American Cinema
8.3

American Cinema

1994Series8.3
The West
8.4

The West

1996Series8.4
The Apprentice: Martha Stewart
10.0

The Apprentice: Martha Stewart

2005Series10.0
Twenty Good Years
8.5

Twenty Good Years

2006Series8.5
Hallmark Hall of Fame
8.8

Hallmark Hall of Fame

1951Series8.8
World War II: When Lions Roared
6.8

World War II: When Lions Roared

1994Series6.8