John Lithgow – författare

In this riveting and surprising personal history, John Lithgow shares a backstage view of his own struggle, crisis, and discovery, revealing the early life and career that took place out of the public eye and before he became a nationally known star. Above all, Lithgow's memoir is a tribute to his most important influence: his father, Arthur Lithgow, who, as an actor, director, producer, and great lover of Shakespeare, brought theater to John's boyhood. From bedtime stories to Arthur's illustrious productions, performance and storytelling were constant and cherished parts of family life. "Drama" tells of the Lithgows' countless moves between Arthur's gigs-John attended eight secondary schools before flourishing onstage at Harvard - and details with poignancy and sharp recollection the moments that introduced a budding young actor to the undeniable power of theater. Before Lithgow gained fame with the film "The World According to Garp" and the television show "3rd Rock from the Sun", his early years were full of scenes both hilarious and bittersweet. A shrewd acting performance saved him from duty in Vietnam.His involvement with a Broadway costar brought an end to his early first marriage. The theater worlds of New York and London come alive as Lithgow relives his collaborations with renowned performers and directors, including Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse, Liv Ullmann, and Meryl Streep. His ruminations on the nature of theater, film acting, and storytelling cut to the heart of why actors are driven to perform, and why people are driven to watch them do it. Lithgow's memory is clear and his wit sharp, and much of the humor that runs throughout "Drama" comes at his own expense. But he also chronicles the harrowing moments of his past, reflecting with moving candor on friends made and lost, mistakes large and small, and the powerful love of a father who set him on the road to a life onstage. Illuminating, funny, affecting, and thoroughly engrossing, "Drama" raises the curtain on the making of one of our most beloved actors.

This "warm and generous" memoir is "brisk . . . packed with funny stories. . . . A buoyant, heartwarming account of coming into one''s own" (New York Times Book Review).Award–winning actor John Lithgow presents a charming, witty, and revealing memoir about his family, his work, and his life in Drama—an intimate story of insights and inspirational reflections from one of America''s most beloved actors. Lithgow pays tribute to his father, his greatest influence, and relives his collaborations with renowned performers and directors including Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse, Liv Ullmann, Meryl Streep, and Brian De Palma. A compelling reflection on the trials, triumphs, and changes across his long career, Lithgow''s Drama illuminates the inner life of a celebrated talent, and points the way forward for anyone aspiring to greatness in their own life."Drama is a cut above?touching, self-aware, and beautifully written." —People"Anyone interested in an actor''s life?especially backstage?will find this book enlightening." —USA Today"A memoir as finely crafted as one of Lithgow''s performances." —Steve Martin"Finely articulated as it is heartfelt . . . moving and candid." —John Irving"A great read." —Mary Karr, New York Times bestselling author of The Liar''s Club"Unflinching and irresistible." —Gay Talese"Drama recounts in graceful, considered prose a life that after a few wrong turns is now happier and more well-adjusted than most." —Charles McGrath, New York Times"Lithgow rises to the occasion with courageous honesty and fairness.''" —Los Angeles Times"John Lithgow''s memoir, Drama, reminded me that the world is indeed all a stage and that professionals have some great ideas about how to perform on it." —Drew Gilpin Faust, The Wall Street Journal

What's a palooza? An activity that keeps kids from uttering those terrifying words, "I'm bored!" You may know John Lithgow as star of stage, screen, and television or even as a bestselling children's book author. But his most important role -- parent -- was also the most fun. Whether building cardboard castles or putting on a King and I puppet show or conducting a treasure hunt in the National Gallery of Art, John has spent years perfecting the art of the palooza. A palooza is easy to do! • A palooza doesn't cost much (some cost absolutely nothing) • A palooza is instigated or organized by parents but is quickly taken over by children • A palooza may involve a computer but never the TV • A palooza may use all varieties of arts and crafts • A palooza may secretly teach children (and parents!) a thing or two • A palooza is entertaining for the entire family • A palooza depends entirely on the inexhaustible creativity, ingenuity, imagination, and sense of fun of young minds This book contains 101 ideas for creating paloozas for children ages 3 to 12 wherever you are. Grouped according to interests and themes -- like art, drama, music, vacations, and birthdays -- and incorporating lots of extrapaloozas, fun facts for parent and child, and suggested additional reading for all ages, John's paloozas range from adopting your own soup can for a day to inventing your own secret language to establishing left-handed day or creating a self-portrait. A Lithgow Palooza! is an utterly unique collection of original activities guaranteed to transform any household from bored to bubbling with fun.