John Lithgow Goes Back To High School For “Art Happens Here” On PBS

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Ай бұрын

“I wanted to be an artist back then,” says acting legend John Lithgow as he tells Stephen about his experience going back to high school for the new special “Art Happens Here,” which airs next Friday on PBS!
#Colbert #JohnLithgow #ArtHappensHere
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Пікірлер: 303

@patriciabagby90 Ай бұрын

I was an extra in a movie with John Lithgow. I sat next to him in the scene and he had an art pad as a prop. I asked him about it and he took the time to show me the pictures he had drawn. What a nice person.

@haplessasshole9615 Ай бұрын

I think I might've begged him to give me a signed and dated sketch. Heck, I would've settled for an autographed stick figure.

@czarcoma Ай бұрын

he does come off as a caring dad. glad someone confirms that he's a "real person".

@GrandmaBev64 Ай бұрын

I'm glad to hear he is as gracious as he seems. I met Don Knots and he refused to give me his autograph. He was my hero. I was 12 and he never got any rest on the set of " The Return of the Apple Dumpling Gang" again. We knew what room he was in and knocked on his door and ran, over and over. He should have given me the autograph. Lol He crushed my image and the respect I had for him. Everyone else gave me their autograph, but I went there for his. I would love to be able to sit with John Lithgow. Such an amazing actor and comedian. Definitely would love to have John's autograph.

@helkas3316 Ай бұрын

@GrandmaBev64 Sorry to hear that about Don. I loved Don to as a kid. Maybe he was just having an off day, or perhaps his testicles were black ⚫️ ⚫️ lol.

@TAD-LOW Ай бұрын

Which film?

@liveneleven Ай бұрын

Music teacher here. Thank you John Lithgow! Bring back arts education!

@wonderrob3225 Ай бұрын

My father, who passed away during the COVID pandemic, dedicated the years following his retirement from electronics engineering to teaching music and restoring hundreds of discarded instruments for students and children in schools. I have had many emails from people who tell me how profoundly my father changed their lives. Thank You for being a music teacher.

@MorganaDarkgoddess Ай бұрын

The art classes in high school literally saved my life. It gave me something to stick around for.

@Groundedsquirrel Ай бұрын

Same

@catherinerobson5482 Ай бұрын

The full time art teacher and full time music teacher must come back, such important people, elements of the school experience.

@dawnstanley1733 Ай бұрын

It truly is. Art and music are a form of self expression, and they wonder what's wrong with kids today. Give them what they need to self express. They need guidance to get there.

@tamaramccarthy8811 Ай бұрын

Those teachers were the ones most likely to connect to the kids who didn't quite fit in or too shy to do more than watch other students. ❤ The arts are vilified over sports, both are needed.

@dawnstanley1733 Ай бұрын

@@tamaramccarthy8811 You are so right!!

@BrendaTheeSolarGirl 28 күн бұрын

💜💜💜💜

@pennygleeson5029 Ай бұрын

Love the idea of Arts being made important in education again - from kindergarten til the end - exposure is sooooo important ❤❤

@TheRealJayGatto Ай бұрын

Absolutely, in every sense, 'art' is what makes humans, 'human'.

@wonderrob3225 Ай бұрын

Do we want our children's minds to bloom like flowers? Of course we do!

@gaylewalton1342 Ай бұрын

I'm 60 next week still working out what I want to do when I grow up

@tigrrtom Ай бұрын

I'm 68 tomorrow, and I wanna be a FIREMAN! 😁

@EgoPlacebo Ай бұрын

Kids figure out who they are by 20? Damn I'm 42 and still figuring it out 😂

@christopherfiore6820 Ай бұрын

Om my god, same.

@DuchessCecelia72 Ай бұрын

I’m 52 and I’m right there with you friend 😅

@bearbryant3495 Ай бұрын

I have to refigure about every 15 yrs or so.

@edwardlulofs444 Ай бұрын

😅

@41Vega Ай бұрын

I’m there too at 40, it’s ok😉a little scary sometimes but ok.

@cassieastle3099 Ай бұрын

There were days during high school when the only reason I had the fortitude to get up and go was because it was a day when I had art class. Thank heavens for Dan Stillman, best teacher I ever had. ❤️

@wonderrob3225 Ай бұрын

God bless Dan Stillman! Truly, good teachers are among the most valuable individuals in our society. My journey to becoming an animation artist was shaped by teachers whom I continue to hold in deep affection and esteem.

@pdxpete48 Ай бұрын

I know who Jon Lithgow is, I love his work, but as famous as he is for his many several roles, he is not John Lithgow the actor on any of them, he creates the role and it grabs you as someone who truly is believably that character, and you love that character, this is a true actor talent not always achieved by just anyone, Mr. Lithgow is a special soul to the world of the passion of acting.

@Transterra55 Ай бұрын

I was born in 1955, and I remember first through sixth grade we had an hour a day for art, and seventh through ninth grade we had an entire period for art… I learned a lot.

@kateuhler7803 Ай бұрын

This music teacher THANKS YOU Mr. Lithgow!!!! ❤️

@maryknight4109 Ай бұрын

Kate, thanks for doing what you do!!

@justinroach9344 Ай бұрын

John Lithgow is in my top 10 actors of all time.

@justadad6677 Ай бұрын

The whole shcool system needs to be reformed. It was literally made by the Rockefellers to create workers and not thinkers. We need smaller classess, more focus on teaching our children how to think, and no grades to judge them.

@edwardlulofs444 Ай бұрын

Yep! Exactly. Stand up America and shout this everywhere.

@terrydempsey6174 Ай бұрын

But but but, who then will drive to my house with must have them NOW #4 coffee filters at 4:00 am? /s

@styrpak1 Ай бұрын

Bring back the arts! The arts in school made all the difference to me. Visual, writing, theater, music.

@ajnormandgroome Ай бұрын

Thank you for promoting the arts in education❤

@wonderrob3225 Ай бұрын

My beloved Grandpa worked the mines since childhood. It was a dream and aspiration come true for him when my father went to university and became an electronics engineer. I had it so easy! I went from the military right into college where I became an animation artist. I Thank God and my forefathers for letting me be an artist

@user-wv7kt4wk7q Ай бұрын

As only John Lithgow could, excellent comedian, actor and theatre extrordinaire. ❤

@dorothyharding5535 Ай бұрын

I was at a Broadway show in NYC a long time ago with my son, his girlfriend and dear friends. I saw John Lithgow in the audience with his children. My son dared me to go talk to him; I had told my son how much I enjoyed John's artistry as an actor. So, I did... walked over and told John how much I loved him as an actor. He was very gracious and thanked me. John had on the most beautiful long black quilted coat... I have always enjoyed that memory. ♡D

@wonderrob3225 Ай бұрын

I met him through work one day at universal studios. I tried not to act like a rabid fan but i could not help but tell him how much he cracked me up laughing On 3rd Rock. He went into character and claimed he wasn't john Lithgow but the alien character he played in the show. He is a very kind person. and super funny

@yuplusjin 9 күн бұрын

@wonderrob3225 that's is cutest story I've heard😆😆😆😆

@susanrobb3004 Ай бұрын

John Lithgow, you are so right! God bless you for your efforts to keep education in the arts alive in public schools!!

@jeffwhite2511 Ай бұрын

Creativity enables openmindedness, kindness, boldness and self-actualization - rather than the conformity, closemindedness, competitiveness and ignorance that the US public AND private education system brainwash students minds with. Schooling was designed to contain and control not to liberate and inspire, which is why authentic, meaningful and enjoyable learning rarely happens in most schools.

@user-vz5cq7ey2c Ай бұрын

My first experience of John Lithgow was as a child in the 1990's watching Harry and the Henderson's 😅

@Over60goalie Ай бұрын

The World According to Garp was mine.

@mauralewiecki157 Ай бұрын

Art, music AND Physical Education need to be brought back!

@wilmafreeman7698 Ай бұрын

Thank you Mr. Lithgow for your support for teachers

@Paul-tg4xg Ай бұрын

I absolutely adored John in all of his works. None more so than 3rd Rock. If i had ever had a bad day at work or generally feeling down. watching 3rd Rock would give me the lift i needed. If laughter is the best medicine, John was the best cure.

@EgoPlacebo Ай бұрын

Currently introducing my 19yo daughter to 3rd Rock, which is fun 😊

@starlessmystery6429 Ай бұрын

Yes!!! Third Rock!!!! Yes!!!!

@darcyholleman9221 Ай бұрын

Great show and cast!

@billhanna2148 Ай бұрын

OBSCENELY FUNNY show every episode was a laugh riot 😂🤣😆😁

@kitcoffey7194 Ай бұрын

Where to view it now?

@starlessmystery6429 Ай бұрын

Hate to break it to you John, you are an artist

@michelemaliano7860 Ай бұрын

I wanted to be an artist. My dad said nope. Gotta have a career that puts food on the table. His only exposure to art was those starving artists sales. I ended up going to college for restaurant management. My creativity came out in the food that i made. Now that I’m 70 I’m painting and loving it!

@GDletterwriter Ай бұрын

My very artistic Korean 6th grade student was told by her dad to stop wasting her time on art. At parent conference I complimented her talent and listed all the careers she could go into with that skill. 20 years later, she's a designer in Seoul. Glad you have painting!

@maryalicecoleman4661 Ай бұрын

I agree with Mr. Lithgow! We MUST bring back the arts in our schools.

@faithinverity8523 Ай бұрын

My kids went to school in Shakopee, MN. Their schools were filled with superb art teacher. The high school had two choral music teachers. Make Americans Artists!

@drttalk Ай бұрын

Shop classes too! They need to use their hands and their bodies and do weird things while they are developing to figure themselves out.

@TunesGS57 Ай бұрын

Arts education and foreign language classes disappeared once politicians started demanding standardized testing. When test scores started dropping they brought in remedial classes to no avail. They wouldn't listen to educators who understand child development. The Arts and FL classes are using math and language skills that stimulate other parts of the brain. Cursive handwriting stimulates the learning centers of the brain, but they got rid of that, too.

@LindaC616 Ай бұрын

Yep

@hanans4786 Ай бұрын

Would love to see John Lithgow and John Malkovich in a movie together

@psydd5209 Ай бұрын

Can you add Frasier?

@dceplay Ай бұрын

Being John Lithgovich

@edgatepowerseducation Ай бұрын

Thank you John Lithgow, you are absolutely on point. Art and creative expression are a portal to understanding ourselves in this crazy world. Thank you!

@beachvacay3184 Ай бұрын

Love that he’s promoting the arts in school. It’s something every kid can be involved with. Sports is great for the athletic kids but the less coordinated feel left out and sometimes are made fun of. Bring back art and music!

@Neopopulas Ай бұрын

Such an amazing actor with such amazing range. I'm so glad i got to grow up watching his movies.

@papadougpapadougsadventures Ай бұрын

This man has done what all actors should do if possible and take on as many varied roles as any actor I’ve seen. He performs them marvelously. I look forward to every movie or show he’s in.

@lesabooth5243 Ай бұрын

Two of my very favorite men right there 🎉❤ much love

@4tune8chance65 Ай бұрын

Just have to love John Lithgow, has just a terrific perspective on life.

@JMurdochNZ Ай бұрын

Great actor, charming man. He's right - there needs to be more support for art and music.

@richtakings3359 Ай бұрын

We salute you Dick the High Commander !!

@daplace902 Ай бұрын

That was my only good years in H.S. - Art Class. With a very good teacher - Mr. Sarvis

@summerfields2792 Ай бұрын

I have had a crush on Mr. Lithgow since I was a teenager...Im 45 and he still makes my heart pound in my chest.

@patriciabagby90 Ай бұрын

He is such a nice man. I was an extra in a film with him and sat next to him as he held an art pad. He eagerly showed me his works.

@Liz-nu5dr Ай бұрын

He is a wonderful actor and a warm, kind human being. I totally forgive him for scaring the crap out of me in Raising Cain.

@patriciamurfitt4590 Ай бұрын

Intelligence is really sexy 😅

@totalbliss1 Ай бұрын

@@Liz-nu5drHim and DePalma's direction made that movie a classic imo. That performance and his one in Dexter were iconic scary guys.

@bitchenboutique6953 Ай бұрын

Me too! Starting with Roberta Muldoon!

@hapennysparrow Ай бұрын

The arts are essential to the well being of students. So many find their unique voice in art, music, dance, and drama. Art tells truth.

@laalaa99stl Ай бұрын

Whoa. How did you guys land this Charles Grodin interview from beyond the grave? 😁

@Amitabha108 Ай бұрын

😂

@BrandonGoble78 Ай бұрын

3rd rock from the sun is still amazing 👏

@Mr.HewJorgan Ай бұрын

I was a huge fan of "Dexter", in season 4 along comes John Lithgow, he was brilliant in his role as nemesis Arthur Mitchell.

@paulrandig Ай бұрын

What art does to us: It teaches us to evaluate: What have we got? What can we make of it? And doing art together is learning to appreciate that everyone sees the ressources, the world and his/her abilities in a totally different way and that it is exiting to mutually discover those ways. Compare this with the opinion that far too many people have: "I know the only truth how the world works!"

@paulgar8 Ай бұрын

Great interview.

@showtimebabies Ай бұрын

lithgow is a freaking treasure. this is one of the best interviews i've seen in a while. i could listen to the guy talk for hours.

@ravenmaniac428 Ай бұрын

❤John Lithgow

@IndySpirit Ай бұрын

Love, love, love John Lithgow❤

@EgoPlacebo Ай бұрын

I happen to be watching 3rd Rock from the Sun right now so this interview was a surprise 😂

@philrabe910 Ай бұрын

4:05... So sad, John. Besides dedicated music, art, shop and even the last dregs of home economics, we had dedicated choir teachers! So by 8th grade I was going to Florida state choir contests... That I kept up when we moved to Chicago- where they light the train tracks on fire to unfreeze them in winter. Soon I was going to Illinois state choir championships. Now I ake theatre and movie props. now and then I bust out a little opera or the Chichester Psalms (in Hebrew) and freak everyone out.

@MarquitaHerald Ай бұрын

This man is such an amazing actor - with no more than the change of expression on his face in one minute you want to hug him and the next he becomes absolutely evil.

@laurieellington163 Ай бұрын

Another music teacher for John Lithgow! Thank you for shining a light on the imperative for arts education.

@edgarcayce2.02 Ай бұрын

Princeton High School in Princeton, New Jersey is his alma mater. The school is really into arts and music in a major way. The great Bebe Neuwirth (Cheers, Frazier, Jumanji, and so forth) went there. John Popper (from Blues Traveler) went there. By the way, it's a public school, not a private school.

@michaelsalovaara567 Ай бұрын

"Test Results"!!!! too funny!

@xufotofux Ай бұрын

Still will love him forever as John Bigboote in Buckaroo Bonzai.

@Salvaeshun Ай бұрын

Lord (John) Whorfin. John Bigbooté however was flawlessly executed by none other than the also legendary, Christopher Lloyd

@fdoe9184 Ай бұрын

Enjoyed him in Garp & Terms, but became a big fan with Buckaroo Banzai.

@edwardlulofs444 Ай бұрын

Yes he was great. I fondly remember the movie from my youth. I thought that it was wonderful! The fact that the movie bombed at the box office shows how distorted life in America has become. I think it helps to explain why our politics is so weird and corrupt these days. Such a shame that America is crashing. On the bright side, America has had a wonderful 250 year run as a beacon for the world. But perhaps it is some other country’s turn to lead the world.

@garyedwardgray7549 Ай бұрын

Lithgow is a distant relative of mine. I absolutely adore this guy. My one criticism of him is his selection of roles. He’s a phenomenal actor who, IMHO, is underrated because he’s accepted a whole host of poor roles. He’s phenomenal. Love him.

@d18zephyr Ай бұрын

I worked with John when he first conceived the idea for this show. He asked my input. I am very proud that I had just a little connection to this PBS special.

@mikevanderman2727 Ай бұрын

"Are my test results back" and thinking how she 'folded' the testicle had me laughing for weeks jajajajajajajajajaja

@russellhammond371 Ай бұрын

Can't get enough John Lithgow. I first saw him in 3rd Rock From The Sun, and his acting was superb.

@lucindamcguinn691 Ай бұрын

John Lithgow is simply GORGEOUS!!!

@brograb898 Ай бұрын

John Lithgow has always been a consistently good guy. Thank you Dr Lizardo.

@littleredhen Ай бұрын

Comedy gold 🤣🤣🤣

@elliechristie2498 Ай бұрын

Sure do Love you John Lithgow…..you are amazing and right on about kids these days…..thank you!

@mistermazemusic Ай бұрын

I live in Princeton and went to the same high school as John. I wish I knew he was in town! What a legend!

@user-gz5zs4lc2h Ай бұрын

Loved art in high school, great teacher, ended up following my dream, have been a painter for 50 years, a glorious life even during the lean times. Best wishes to Mr. Lithgow!!

@qiyamahl9255 Ай бұрын

John Lithgow is a national treasure ❤

@wonderrob3225 Ай бұрын

met him through work one day at universal studios. I tried not to act like a rabid fan but i could not help but tell him how much he cracked me up laughing On 3rd Rock. He went into character and claimed he wasn't john Lithgow but the alien character he played in the show. He is a very kind person. and super funny

@janetrobertson9199 Ай бұрын

I just remembered when the great commander directed a school production which was a highlight of 30 Rock..

@Groundedsquirrel Ай бұрын

So pleased he is doing the series! So incredibly important.

@jameswrate4838 Ай бұрын

That was a funny joke, and I was told amazingly

@julieanderson-smith1692 Ай бұрын

I've been a John Lithgow fan since The World According to Garp, but he (and Alfred Molina) absolutely broke my heart in Love Is Strange.

@MargaretJEllis Ай бұрын

Yes, JOHN!!! Independent decision making is what is developed in visual art, creative writing, improv theatre, music creation , etc, in school! As an artist, arts educator pre-school thru college, special needs, adults and seniors I have seen the power of the arts! We need the arts to return to school.

@GlennTillema Ай бұрын

I became a fan of John Lithgow upon watching him in, "The World According to Garp," and two years later he shows up in "Buckaroo Banzai" and "Footloose" in the same year - in one role an escaped madman alien and the other a preacher, and I was hooked. Everything he's in is improved by him being there. @3:00 There's a bit on the Graham Norton show where Rowan Atkinson talks about someone 'sort of' recognizing him but just thinks he's the "spitting image of Mr Bean!" and can't be convinced otherwise.

@zeldacoach2528 Ай бұрын

What a beautiful engaging interview! Thank you ❤

@enckidoofalling2883 Ай бұрын

You can always tell the professional actors they treat the crew well

@velikovskysghost Ай бұрын

John Lithgow is a national treasure and the man can play anything! I love that joke and can't wait to tell to an old physicist buddy in Texas!

@acefoxuk Ай бұрын

He's such a lovely guy and great actor! Loved s1 of the old man.

@judyhowe2082 Ай бұрын

Fascinating interview...hes a legend🎭

@rohilsave Ай бұрын

omfg.. I spit a mouthful of water and pulled a muscle listening to that hilarious joke!!

@marierisdon8894 Ай бұрын

Best joke ever!! Thanks John Lithgow.

@--Tessa-- Ай бұрын

His performance in Cliffhanger still makes me laugh sometimes cuz he's this villain, but I only see him as this nice, sweet man. When he gets angry I'm just like stawwwwppp 😂 Gene Hackman is the same for me.

@user-zc7ds8gx7n Ай бұрын

Love John Lithgow! Young people can be idiots.

@siegfried1234 Ай бұрын

Gold

@HarryPujols Ай бұрын

It was only recently that I learned that the Lightgows were immigrants in the Dominican Republic. John’s father and grandfather were born there.

@debbybridge7064 Ай бұрын

Great segment. Joke too funny--JL told it well!

@marmot-mr8mh Ай бұрын

I finally got a chance to do a great job when I was 50. That’s when I became a TV/film set painter. Many of us are retiring. Study art, volunteer to learn,then get trained on set, join the union to have a wonderful career. Oh yes --also -make a lot of money.

@BaldingClamydia 10 күн бұрын

I'm sad he doesn't get recognized more, he certainly deserves it. I love him and almost all his work

@jeffclement2468 Ай бұрын

Brilliant...talented...lovable. I became a fan instantly when I first saw him in "Twilight Zone: the Movie." I stayed in my seat in the theater just to catch his name in the credits. "This guy's great!" I thought. If you've never seen it, you should. He puts the original Shatner performance to shame.

@DNTXPCTMCH Ай бұрын

Thank you for this conversation

@TheSlily Ай бұрын

The arts provide self-actualization!

@suemccord2633 Ай бұрын

This Is Your Very Best Episode Ever🎉APPLAUSE ❤ Absolutely Epic.))

@rjpittman4510 Ай бұрын

A true great promoter of the Arts

@roughwinds Ай бұрын

Harry and the Hendersons❤

@WilliesGarden Ай бұрын

Had no idea it's been removed from school. All through elementary school in the 70s i guess we were lucky to have music class every day of those first five years. With you choosing band or not in 5th. But every year of the four previous we played instruments and sang some great rock songs of the early 70s. Was the best part of my early education. And I played trumpet through HS. I can tell there isn't anyone teaching Civics anymore either. It was such a huge part of my education, it would've been boring without it.

@stardust-rebel Ай бұрын

One of my dear friends has a classically trained Fine Arts degree and was working in the Detroit school district area...until the funding was cut several years ago. She is doing well as a professional cosplayer and twitch broadcaster but she would agree with Mr Lithgow's perspective. The arts are the key to your own imagination and they need to return.

@Jenny_Oblivion Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing an important conversation 👏❤️😊

@weirdunclebob Ай бұрын

Thanks John. I read the beginning of that joke the other day but the page it was on didn't have the ending and I was too busy to look it up and forgot about it! Your "Rudy" is epic. Wish there was more of it!

@laalaa99stl Ай бұрын

My test results are as blue as that joke. ⚫⚫

@justinroach9344 Ай бұрын

Harry & the Hendersons!