John Lithgow

John Lithgow's broad range of interests and talents have made significant contributions to various facets of the entertainment industry and beyond. He is recognized for his versatility and for portraying some of the most memorable characters in popular culture.

His noteworthy performances in film span several decades and genres, including roles in "The World According to Garp" and "Terms of Endearment," earning him nominations for back-to-back Oscars. His other notable films include "All That Jazz," "Footloose," "Harry and the Hendersons," "Twilight Zone: the Movie," "Buckaroo Banzai," "Memphis Belle," "Shrek," "Kinsey," "Interstellar," "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," and most recently "Killers of the Flower Moon."

Lithgow is a six-time Emmy Award winner, revered for his portrayal of the alien "High Commander Dick Solomon" on NBC's "Third Rock from the Sun." He also won Emmys for his roles as Arthur Mitchell in Showtime's "Dexter" and as Winston Churchill in Netflix's "The Crown." His recent television work includes starring roles in HBO's "Perry Mason" reboot and FX's "The Old Man."

A dedicated theater actor, Lithgow made a remarkable Broadway debut in "The Changing Room" in 1973, winning a Tony Award just three weeks after his debut. He has since appeared on Broadway nineteen more times, earning another Tony, three additional Tony nominations, four Drama Desk Awards, and induction into the Theatre Hall of Fame. His contributions to theater extend to his involvement with The Royal Shakespeare Company, a rare honor for an American actor. Lithgow also frequently performs in his one-man show "Stories By Heart," and in 2012, he was nominated for a Tony for his portrayal of Joseph Alsop in "The Columnist."

Beyond his performing career, Lithgow is a passionate advocate for the arts in education. He has authored eight New York Times best-selling children's picture books, developed activity books for parents and children, and compiled "The Poets' Corner" to foster an early interest in poetry. His memoir, "Drama: An Actor's Education," published in 2011, discusses his formative years and career. Lithgow's commitment to children's education and literacy is complemented by his musical contributions, including concerts for children with major symphonies and his own songs and rhyming narrations. His dedication has been recognized with two Parents' Choice Silver Honor Awards and four Grammy Award nominations. Additionally, he founded Harvard's ARTS FIRST festival, which has grown into one of the nation's largest university arts festivals.