Profile of John Lithgow on Famous Like Me

John Lithgow (pronounced "lith-go") was born on October 19, 1945 in Rochester, New York. An accomplished actor, Lithgow is most recently best known for his starring role as Dick Solomon in the 1996-2001 NBC sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, for which he received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations (one for each of the program's six seasons) and three wins (in 1996, 1997 and 1999) in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series."

Previously, Lithgow was the recipient of a 1986 Primetime Emmy Award in the category of "Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series" for his appearance in an episode of the Amazing Stories anthology show. He received three additional Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 1984, 1986 and 1995.

Throughout his career, many of Lithgow's most successful and noteworthy projects have been adaptations of earlier works. In 1983 and 1984, he was nominated for Academy Awards in the category of "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" for his performances as Roberta Muldoon in The World According to Garp and as Sam Burns in Terms of Endearment; both films were screen adaptations of popular novels.

Off-screen, Lithgow is known by Star Wars fans for his 1983 and 1996 performances in National Public Radio adaptations of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, in which he portrayed Yoda (a voice role originated theatrically by Frank Oz).

In 2002, Lithgow won a Tony Award in the category of "Best Leading Actor in a Musical" for his portrayal of J.J. Hunsecker (a role originated theatrically by Burt Lancaster) in the Broadway stage adaptation of the 1957 film Sweet Smell of Success. Currently, Lithgow is starring as Lawrence Jameson (a role originated theatrically by David Niven and later assumed by Michael Caine) in a Broadway musical adaptation of the 1988 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (itself a remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story).

In 2005, this role earned Lithgow a second Tony nomination in the category of "Best Leading Actor in a Musical," an award that went to his co-star, Norbert Leo Butz. He also won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play in The Changing Room, his Broadway debut. He was nominated two other times: for Requiem for a Heavyweight and M. Butterfly.

Lithgow also makes occasional appearances on stage and television singing children's songs and accompanying himself on guitar. He resides in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and is a Harvard University graduate, as well as a former member of its Board of Overseers.

Filmography

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