John Lithgow has built an extraordinary career spanning nearly 200 roles across film, television, and theater. The 80-year-old actor has portrayed characters ranging from King Lear to an alien on "3rd Rock From the Sun," demonstrating remarkable versatility throughout his career that began at age 2. His recent work includes playing Roald Dahl in the Broadway play "Giant" and Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter television series.

Lithgow continues to seek challenging and potentially divisive roles despite his age and established reputation. He explains his choices by saying, "I am fascinated by every variety of human experience and want to understand it," positioning himself as someone in the "empathy business" who explores diverse perspectives through his craft. His recent film "Jimpa" features him as the gay grandfather of a trans grandchild.

Born into a theatrical family, Lithgow developed a pattern of playing anyone but himself. He describes himself as a "pleaser" who memorizes names immediately on new jobs, earning him praise from directors as having "phenomenal warmth, sympathy, enthusiasm, openness." Despite self-criticism, he maintains the drive that has defined his five-decade career, recently noting he has "dwindled" from 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-3 but maintains a "big man's big personality."