Ian David Lithgow (born February 3, 1972) is an American actor and therapist. He is best known for his work as Leon in the NBC series 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001). He is the son of actor John Lithgow.

Ian Lithgow
Born
Ian David Lithgow

(1972-02-03) February 3, 1972 (age 52)
Occupation(s)Actor, therapist
Years active1993–present
Known for3rd Rock from the Sun
Spouse
Rachel Lithgow
(sep. 2018)
Children2
FatherJohn Lithgow

Early life and education

edit

Lithgow was born on February 3, 1972, in New York City, the son of actor John Lithgow.[1]

He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1994, majoring in English.[1] He spent two years doing his M.A. in clinical psychology, specializing in marriage and family therapy, at Antioch University Los Angeles, graduating in 2005. As of 2023 he runs a practice in Lower Manhattan.[2][3]

Career

edit

Lithgow has acted in film, television, and in regional theatres across the US, including the Goodman Theatre, the American Repertory Theatre, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Ahmanson Theatre, and the Pasadena Playhouse. He originated the role of Tony in Boy Gets Girl, which he performed at the Manhattan Theatre Club.[citation needed]

In the 1990s NBC sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, Lithgow portrayed the recurring role of Leon, a purportedly dim-witted student who attends the physics class of Dick Solomon (portrayed by Ian's real-life father John Lithgow). Ian portrayed a son of John's character in the 2020 HBO television series Perry Mason.[4][5]

Personal life

edit

Lithgow married Rachael around 1993 in Los Angeles, and the couple had two children. Rachel, according to her website "built a career as a professional Jewess, running some of the most important Jewish cultural institutions in the United States, curating major exhibitions, and consulting for institutions around the world." They separated in 2018 but remain good friends.[6]

Filmography

edit

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
1993 A Pound of Flesh
1996-2001 3rd Rock from the Sun Leon 48 episodes
1999 Far from Bismarck Wallace
1999 Puppet, Love and Mertz Puppet Short
2003 Rice Girl Detective Tom Monk
2005 Fellini's Donut Guido Anselmi Short
2017 Bull Griffin Fuller Episode: "Name Game"
2020 Tesla Alfred Brown
2020 The Blacklist Kleeman Episode: "Newton Purcell (No. 144)"
2020 Perry Mason Byron Jonathan Episode: "Chapter Five"

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Groome, Clark (October 19, 2012). "Hill therapist/actor carries on family tradition". Chestnut Hill Local. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Thompson, Eliza (February 17, 2023). "'3rd Rock From the Sun' Cast: Where Are They Now? Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jane Curtin and More". Us Weekly. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "Home - Ian Lithgow, MA, LMFT". ianlithgow.com.
  4. ^ "'Perry Mason' Chapter Five (TV Episode 2020)". imdb.com.
  5. ^ Collins, Sean T. (July 20, 2020). "'Perry Mason' Season 1, Episode 5 Recap: Leaps of Faith". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  6. ^ "About". Rachel Lithgow. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
edit