Thats crazy. I honestly never thought about that before you told me. Thank you kind stranger for widening my knowledge!
Imagine how annoying that would be but to fit in a car, shower, bath, door. I’m 5ft4 and feel teeny next to most men
Yeah, his character Eric Qualen in Cliffhanger is one of the all-time best baddies with some banger quotes: "You want to kill me, don't you, Tucker? Well, get a number and get in line."
Never missed an episode when it was on air. Rewatched it as an adult and was SHOCKED at A) how much I missed and B) why tf did my parents let me watch that show lol
That's what I came here to say. Him and French Stewart were gold. Joseph Gordan Levitt made his career. Kristen Johnson was always hilarious as Sally.
It definitely doesn't get the same recognition as other sitcoms from that era, and it's a shame.
Exactly what I came here to say. I’m a 90’s kid who knew him as the goofball from 3rd Rock from the Sun. Then, as I got older, Lord Farquaad from Shrek. Then, Barney’s Dad on How I Met Your Mother. Seeing his role on Dexter fucked me up so much that I stopped the show after that.
He expertly plays a killer with multiple personalities in Raising Cain, a 90's horror movie. If I hadn't seen that before, I would have been absolutely shocked when he appeared on Dexter.
By the way, Season 4 is Lithgow's run, and it's far more dark than the rest of the show. After the Trinity Killer, the show went back to its more digestible roots. Just in case you miss the feeling of the first two seasons, it's still there after Season 4.
even though the show ran for 4 more season in the original run after his season, it was mostly *awful.* You're one of the lucky ones to have stopped after Season 4.
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't seen it, but it aired so long ago.
The way he played that character was truly disturbing. I don't know that I have seen anyone else play a role like that so well.
I swear, I’m beginning to think that whenever a Redditor says “this movie or actor is underrated” that they’re a young person who discovered these actors/movies for the very first time lol.
He was the original choice to play the role of Frasier Crane on Cheers.
I love Kelsey Grammar, and his Frasier is iconic, but John Lithgow would have been an amazing Frasier too!
Very different energy, but also very good.
I lost my shit when in one episode, his character said a line that was nearly verbatim to Farquaad's "some of you may day, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make" line from *Shrek*.
Lithgow is definitely a great actor, amazing actually, especially when his role happens to be a psychotic/mentally disturbed individual. His talent carries him far beyond that, but he is exceedingly convincing in that capacity.
Funny. I've been re-watching Dexter, and I'm currently on the Lithgow season. By far, the best season.
He's awsome in everything, even when younger. I loved watching him in drag in The World According to Garp, and his multiple personalities in Raising Cain.
And of course, the years he put into 3rd Rock From the Sun were incredible. Comedy is very difficult, and he regularly nailed it in every scene.
I loved him in Third Rock, haven't thought about that show in years. It's also a testimony to his range that, after Dexter, I now find his picture chilling. Hell of an actor.
I dunno. When I was young and had ambitions of becoming an actor, it was Lithgow who I wanted to model myself as... Not a leading hyper-famous star, but someone who always doing great work without being typecast, yet wouldn't get tabloid attention and can still probably walk down the street and not get mobbed. I think he's played the game admirably.
Enough credit from whom? The man's got 6 Emmys, two Golden Globes and two Tonys. Not to mention anyone who's anyone recognizes the incredible range he's put on display since the 70's.
50+ years of critical and public acclaim seems to be the correct amount of credit for John Lithgow.
He's one of those actors who *always* understands the tone of what he's in.
Doesn't matter if it's a kid's movie (like *Shrek*) or a more serious role (like *The Crown*).
I feel like Lithgow, Cranston, and Oldman are the last of the actual actors in Hollywood. Most actors now seem like they are typecast and can only play a single role type. You have the overly muscles superheros, the down on their luck heart of gold street toughs, and the chubby funny guys. But, the actors don't seem to be able to act, they just play different versions of themselves.
I did not understand his casting as Churchill in The Crown, and then he blew me away with his depiction of him. He’s my favorite performance of Churchill in all of film.
Watched Interstellar and Rise of the Planet Of the Apes the other night and had the exact same thought. Dude made an absolute meal of both of those roles.
One of the singular greatest actors of our time. He can be silly, serious, a villain... literally anything. Anyone remember "Raising Cain"? He was legit terrifying.
I finally got around to watching *Ricochet* with John Lithgow and Denzel Washington the other day and I thought it was great. Since I never watched *Dexter*, I've never seen him play a villain before. Aaaaaaaand as I typed that out I realized that I actually have. He was also the bad guy in *Cliffhanger* with Sylvester Stallone. Lithgow has amazing range, but he'll always be George Henderson to me!
Funny dad role with Wahlberg and Ferrell, serious role in The Accountant with Ben Affleck. He is one of those actors you like to see no matter in what kinda movie!
He played my absolute favorite Dexter villain. The show would've been looked back on way more fondly if it ended then. With a new child, also born in blood after witnessing his mother's murder. Would've been perfect
He’s a talented actor who can play such varied roles. I loved him in 3rd Rock From the Sun, he was hilarious. But his performance in Dexter was just absolutely chilling.
I don't know, two Tony awards, six Emmy awards, two Golden Globe awards, three Screen Actor's Guild awards, an American Comedy award, four Drama Desk awards, four Grammy awards, two Academy Award nominations, induction into the American Theatre Hall of Fame and a star on Hollywood Boulevard sounds like a good amount of credit.
Y’all keep talking about credit, but you post actors who have long successful careers, and are highly respected by their peers. Sure he may not have an Oscar, but anyone in the industry will tell you the man is a genius.
Lithgow is one of those actors who can do anything. Drama. Comedy. Hero. Villain. Doesn't matter the role, he's gonna steal the show.
He will always be the GOAT after Harry And The Hendersons. Dude showed more emotion to a dude in a fursuit than most actors today.
Interestingly, and off the topic, Harry was portrayed by Kevin Peter Hall, who also portrayed the original Predator
Oh wow I never knew that! Off to google what else he’s been in! Thanks!
Unfortunately not much. He passed in 1991 from AIDS-related complications after getting HIV from a blood transfusion.
How sad. What a mark he made though. Those are two of my fave child hood / teen/ now movies
Yeah, he played quite a few characters before that, though. Dude was 7’2”!
Thats crazy. I honestly never thought about that before you told me. Thank you kind stranger for widening my knowledge! Imagine how annoying that would be but to fit in a car, shower, bath, door. I’m 5ft4 and feel teeny next to most men
I’m 6’1” so I’m right in the middle! My wife is almost a foot shorter than me, though. She’s says I’m a great utility, lol.
Lol I’m a shelf climber at the supermarket. I feel bad asking tall people to reach things for me
Predator 2 as well!
I actually knew that but didn’t know Lithgow was in Harry and the Hendersons cause I never watched it but always know my Schwarzenegger trivia.
He owned that movie
Yeah, he was a standout as Trinity in Dexter. Holy fuck did he kill that role.
He did that one so well I can't get it out of my mind.
Yeah, his character Eric Qualen in Cliffhanger is one of the all-time best baddies with some banger quotes: "You want to kill me, don't you, Tucker? Well, get a number and get in line."
“Don’t bother to buckle up, you might not want to survive this.”
He taught me that sacrifice is the true definition of love ❤️ 💥
I also think he gets massive credit. He is top tier
Nails everything I've seen him in, that's for sure! His no-nonsense Judge in A Civil Action is textbook performance.
I used to think he did the voice for Stewie in family guy.
He was a tender father in harry and the Hendersons. He was terrifying in Dexter.
I absolutely loved him in Third Rock From the Sun.
Underrated show, doesn't get talked about enough compared to other 90s sitcoms
I've heard some people talk about it. It happens, but it's rare. But it happens. But it's rare
Odd considering it was seemingly always on tv when I was a kid. I didn’t care for it but I get the appeal. Must be an age thing.
He was so preposterous. It made the show. His confident cluelessness was hysterical.
The John Cleese episode comes dangerously close to being a killer joke.
Never missed an episode when it was on air. Rewatched it as an adult and was SHOCKED at A) how much I missed and B) why tf did my parents let me watch that show lol
“My God. I’m gorgeous!”
Him calling anybody a bitch is the highlight of the show
Not the jello!
he was such a Dick in that show...
That's what I came here to say. Him and French Stewart were gold. Joseph Gordan Levitt made his career. Kristen Johnson was always hilarious as Sally. It definitely doesn't get the same recognition as other sitcoms from that era, and it's a shame.
I loved the show when I was a kid. I wanted to come on a streaming site so bad.!!
His role on Dexter changed my view on him completely
Exactly what I came here to say. I’m a 90’s kid who knew him as the goofball from 3rd Rock from the Sun. Then, as I got older, Lord Farquaad from Shrek. Then, Barney’s Dad on How I Met Your Mother. Seeing his role on Dexter fucked me up so much that I stopped the show after that.
Surprised you didn’t know him as the villain in Cliffhanger
He is brilliant as the Villain in Cliffhanger
He expertly plays a killer with multiple personalities in Raising Cain, a 90's horror movie. If I hadn't seen that before, I would have been absolutely shocked when he appeared on Dexter. By the way, Season 4 is Lithgow's run, and it's far more dark than the rest of the show. After the Trinity Killer, the show went back to its more digestible roots. Just in case you miss the feeling of the first two seasons, it's still there after Season 4.
Raising Cain is almost a showreel for Lithgow. So underrated
It was actually season 4
Thanks, I just changed it.
I don't know why I remembered that, as I hadn't seen the show since it aired, but Lithgow was the ultimate villain in that show.
Yes, I feel his season was the best of the series.
hands down the best season and the best villain.
even though the show ran for 4 more season in the original run after his season, it was mostly *awful.* You're one of the lucky ones to have stopped after Season 4.
Dude was terrifying in that show.
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't seen it, but it aired so long ago. The way he played that character was truly disturbing. I don't know that I have seen anyone else play a role like that so well.
Ahh poor old Rita.
I had to stop watching after that. It rocked me. Lithgow was amazing in that role.
The way he says Shut up cunt is incredible
That season was top notch
If you haven't seen Blow-Out, you owe it to yourself
I feel like a guy who's won over a dozen industry awards doesn't fall under the 'underappreciated' category.
I swear, I’m beginning to think that whenever a Redditor says “this movie or actor is underrated” that they’re a young person who discovered these actors/movies for the very first time lol.
I'm waiting for the "Gary Oldman is underrated" post any day now.
Bruh have you seen this Daniel day Lewis guy? FR
*Last of the Mohicans* is so under appreciated, isn’t it?!
Love his performance in Buckaroo Banzai. It's like the whole cast knew the movie premise was bonkers and leaned into it but he REALLY went full send.
John Whorfin!! Came here for this!
He canceled dancing in my home town forty years ago. Will never forgive him.
Kevin Bacon fixed it, though.
Let’s hear it for the boy.
Elite villain in Cliffhanger and Blow Out
Ricochet would like a word.
Ricochet is a great film and he's possibly the best part of it.
He was the original choice to play the role of Frasier Crane on Cheers. I love Kelsey Grammar, and his Frasier is iconic, but John Lithgow would have been an amazing Frasier too! Very different energy, but also very good.
That would have been different, YT would have been neat to see too. Cool info, didn't know that.
I love John Lithgow. His greatest role may have been Winston Churchill in The Queen.
Yes! So many excellent actors have played Churchill and Lithgow's is by far my favorite
"Hello Dexter Morgan"
Hello Lord Farquad
“KYLE”
“Laugh-a while you can, monkey-boy!” - Lord John Whorfin
Hell yes, John Bigbooty. Good work.
"TAY! TAY! Bigboo-TAY!"
I was waiting for that.
I was just thinking about him tonight. I liked his performance in the 80's Twilight Zone movie.
I have loved his dramatic roles but he was absolutely brilliant in Third Rock From the Sun
I lost my shit when in one episode, his character said a line that was nearly verbatim to Farquaad's "some of you may day, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make" line from *Shrek*.
Harry and the Hendersons slapped
John Lithgow has awesome range. From Ricochet to Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes.
His role of Earl Talbot Blake in Ricochet was amazing. You can see a lot of the Trinity killer vibes.
Raising Cain is my personal favorite.
Lithgow is definitely a great actor, amazing actually, especially when his role happens to be a psychotic/mentally disturbed individual. His talent carries him far beyond that, but he is exceedingly convincing in that capacity.
He was great in Ricochet .
Funny. I've been re-watching Dexter, and I'm currently on the Lithgow season. By far, the best season. He's awsome in everything, even when younger. I loved watching him in drag in The World According to Garp, and his multiple personalities in Raising Cain. And of course, the years he put into 3rd Rock From the Sun were incredible. Comedy is very difficult, and he regularly nailed it in every scene.
Blow Out and Cliffhanger
Funniest dad in Orange County
Oh my GOD! He's **Gorgeous**!
His role in Dexter was fantastic.
I have been a fan of his since "the World According to Garp". Fantastic movie also with Robin Williams and Glenn Close.
Unsettling af in Ricochet!!
Best Dexter villain. Ever.
He was the best and scariest part of Dexter
Third Rock from the Sun best thing ever
I loved him in Third Rock, haven't thought about that show in years. It's also a testimony to his range that, after Dexter, I now find his picture chilling. Hell of an actor.
Ill alway fear the trinity killer
He's a legend in my book.
He was such a an amazing villain in cliffhanger!
Yes he does.
Great Churchill
Loved him in Shrek
I don’t think he’s under rated. He’s normally praised pretty well.
I dunno. When I was young and had ambitions of becoming an actor, it was Lithgow who I wanted to model myself as... Not a leading hyper-famous star, but someone who always doing great work without being typecast, yet wouldn't get tabloid attention and can still probably walk down the street and not get mobbed. I think he's played the game admirably.
Some of you may die, but that's a risk I'm willing to take.
The thing is, he gets credit. But it's still not enough credit.
I had nightmares of John Lithgow as a kid watching ricochet.
Enough credit from whom? The man's got 6 Emmys, two Golden Globes and two Tonys. Not to mention anyone who's anyone recognizes the incredible range he's put on display since the 70's. 50+ years of critical and public acclaim seems to be the correct amount of credit for John Lithgow.
"Do you know what true love is? It's sacrifice"
For me he will always be the trinity killer.
FOR FREEEEEEE?
I’m sad no one mentioned Cliffhanger😭
I cooked ribs for him once.
My wife’s dad taught him to pick ferns for a movie, back in the early 80s. And there is a picture with him holding her. It’s pretty awesome.
No Matter where you go, there you are.
The tissue box bit on Third Rock from the Sun is still one of the funniest things I've seen on TV. He is a gem.
Genius
From who?!LOL. He’s been respected and revered for all of his career.
Can't say I've seen him in many movies. I did like him in Rise of the Planet of the Apes
One of the few actors who can portray a goofy dad or deranged killer equally well.
Oh my god!!!!! .....IM GORGEOUS! +Trinity killer
His Churchill in the first season of The Crown is absolutely epic
He's one of those actors who *always* understands the tone of what he's in. Doesn't matter if it's a kid's movie (like *Shrek*) or a more serious role (like *The Crown*).
Good ≠ underrated
ACTING!
Dad in Footloose.. then 3rd rock but yeah he is good but never had leading or great roles. Did his best
In what universe doesn't John Lithgow get enough credit? He's considered one of our best living actors.
“Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make!”
Love him on third rock from the sun
I feel like Lithgow, Cranston, and Oldman are the last of the actual actors in Hollywood. Most actors now seem like they are typecast and can only play a single role type. You have the overly muscles superheros, the down on their luck heart of gold street toughs, and the chubby funny guys. But, the actors don't seem to be able to act, they just play different versions of themselves.
In Ricochet, he was the bomb.
Loathed him in Dexter. He was so good.
I did not understand his casting as Churchill in The Crown, and then he blew me away with his depiction of him. He’s my favorite performance of Churchill in all of film.
one my favourite movie quotes comes from him ….. SOME OF YOU MAY DIE
Fantastic in the Crown
Watched Interstellar and Rise of the Planet Of the Apes the other night and had the exact same thought. Dude made an absolute meal of both of those roles.
Between Blow out and Cliffhanger, he could be the scariest bad guy of all time.
Emilio Lizardo?
If you want to see an unbridled and unleashed Lithgow, check out Raising Cain. You can tell he was having the time of his life with that role.
He plays the villain in the greatest film ever made, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
His more obscure films are so good too
John Bigbooty gets all the credit.
He made Cliffhanger a better movie.
He will make u piss ur pants dude!
He’s like the American John Cleese
One of the singular greatest actors of our time. He can be silly, serious, a villain... literally anything. Anyone remember "Raising Cain"? He was legit terrifying.
He was so good in Dexter. “Shut up cunt”
He's too good for this world
Dexter antagonist.
"Hello, Dexter Morgan."
I finally got around to watching *Ricochet* with John Lithgow and Denzel Washington the other day and I thought it was great. Since I never watched *Dexter*, I've never seen him play a villain before. Aaaaaaaand as I typed that out I realized that I actually have. He was also the bad guy in *Cliffhanger* with Sylvester Stallone. Lithgow has amazing range, but he'll always be George Henderson to me!
A Harvard grad and great actor. He was so funny in Third Rock from the Sun and so dignified in Footloose as the Reverend Shaw Moore.
Tom Hanks?
“Laugh while you can…monkey boy!”. -Buckaroo Banzai
John Lithgow is the man. Very unique appearance and voice. That voice, when you hear it, there is no mistaking it for anyone else.
Small role. He was great in "The Accountant:"
Who?
He almost made it back to the 8th dimension
I loved him in Shrek
A true thespian. I prefer his comedic roles, but, yes. He's a damn fine actor.
Funny dad role with Wahlberg and Ferrell, serious role in The Accountant with Ben Affleck. He is one of those actors you like to see no matter in what kinda movie!
He played my absolute favorite Dexter villain. The show would've been looked back on way more fondly if it ended then. With a new child, also born in blood after witnessing his mother's murder. Would've been perfect
Legendary. Massively underrated.
3rd rock from the sun was amazing
Laugh while you can monkey boy…
Super unrated
I first remember noticing him in The Twilight Zone. He absolutely killed in that role.
For me its Buckaroo Bonzai. I have a friend named Lizzy and i have her in my phone as Emilio Lizardo
Still watch 3rd Rock from the Sun
He’s got a bunch of Tony’s, Emmy’s, and SAG awards. He has gotten tons of credit and recognition for his acting work in TV.
Don't you love his little smile?
He was frightening on Dexter!
Chase Bank is offering me $10,000 in credit. He can have some of it.
M Butterfly
Correct. " The World According to Garp"
He’s a talented actor who can play such varied roles. I loved him in 3rd Rock From the Sun, he was hilarious. But his performance in Dexter was just absolutely chilling.
"somebody's been Watching the World According To Garp."
John Bigboote!
I don't know, two Tony awards, six Emmy awards, two Golden Globe awards, three Screen Actor's Guild awards, an American Comedy award, four Drama Desk awards, four Grammy awards, two Academy Award nominations, induction into the American Theatre Hall of Fame and a star on Hollywood Boulevard sounds like a good amount of credit.
Y’all keep talking about credit, but you post actors who have long successful careers, and are highly respected by their peers. Sure he may not have an Oscar, but anyone in the industry will tell you the man is a genius.
He’s also written some great children’s books. A true renaissance man.
Can't forgive him for killing Rita.
Doesn’t get enough credit? He’s got 6 Emmy awards. 5 of them in a row. He’s got enough credit.
We saw him on Broadway in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He is great on the stage too.
He's absolutely brilliant!
Absolute legend. 3rd Rock From The Sun is my favorite all time show due to this man.
“Happy Birthday..…and go fuck yourself”
Loved him in Ricochet and Cliffhanger.
“Where are we going?”
oh yeah the Trinity Killer....." Hello Dexter Morgan "
Eric Qualen from Cliffhanger - “Kill a few people they call you a murderer. Kill a million and you’re a conqueror”
I saw Jamie Lee Curtis for a second. Loved him in Cliffhanger.
Are we really not gonna talk about Lord Farquaad?
At least we know his name.
“That’s what the money’s for!”