Was considered for the role of Doc Brown in Back to the Future (1985). The role went to Christopher Lloyd instead.

Graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University (1967).

Biography in: "Contemporary Authors". Volume 217, pg. 219-223. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2004.

Father of Ian Lithgow.

Graduated from Princeton High School, Princeton, NJ.

Hosted the Welcoming Reception for UCLA's new Chancellor Carnesale.

Studied at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Claims that his most difficult performance was in Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) because he had to portray fear of the monster, although he couldn't really see it.

Parents are Sarah Jane Price (b. 1917) and theater director/producer Arthur Lithgow (1915-2004).

Has won two Tony Awards: in 1973, as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for David Storey's "The Changing Room"; and in 2002, as Best Actor (Musical) for "Sweet Smell of Success." He has also been nominated on three occasions for Tonys -- two for Best Actor (Play): for "Requiem for a Heavyweight" (1985) and "M. Butterfly." (1988), and once for Best Actor (Musical): for "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (2005).

His father ran a Shakespearian Acting company in the 1950s which included David Carradine.

Wins both the Tony award and Drama Desk award as best actor in a Broadway musical, for performance in "Sweet Smell of Success" May/June 2002.

Graduated from Harvard University, with a BA in history and literature. Daughter, Phoebe (b. 1982).

Was considered for the role of Hannibal Lector in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Was named a Fulbright scholar.

Wife Mary is economics professor at UCLA.

Was the voice of Yoda in the NPR adaptations of the Star Wars Trilogy.

Has won two Tony Awards: in 1973, as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for David Storey`s

Was called in to replace another actor in Terms of Endearment (1983), and his role was filmed in 3 days during a break from filming Footloose (1984).

Three of his non-film roles have been based on movies involving Frank Oz and Ian McDiarmid. Most of Oz`s and McDiarmid`s collaborations are the Star Wars films, in which they play Yoda and Darth Sidious, respectively. Lithgow played Yoda on the radio. Oz also directed McDiarmid in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988). Lithgow appeared in the stage musical.

He is a registered pastor of Rose Ministries, and has officiated the wedding of his goddaughter.

Is member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS).

Even though his parents were both actors, he was inspired to get into acting by Peter Sellers.

Is an accomplished guitar player.

Has a Scottish background.

His son Ian Lithgow plays Lion on 3rd rock from the Sun.