John Lithgow was born on October 19, 1945 in Rochester, NY. He went to Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1967. After graduation, Lithgow won a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
He has won four Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also been nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In 2005, he became the first actor ever to deliver a commencement speech at Harvard University.
In addition to acting, he is the author of many books for children. He lives in Los Angeles.