Beyond the Stage & Screen

ALTHOUGH HE IS BEST KNOWN for his prolific acting career, John Lithgow is also a marked wordsmith and illustrator. His poetry and drawings reflect his broad creative range and imagination.

Author of 11 children’s books and three installments of a political humor series, Lithgow has brought to life countless whimsical characters—both real and make-believe—who brim with personality and charm. His illustrations have been praised for their warmth, humor, and attention to detail. Lithgow’s artistic talents have been exhibited in galleries around the world and featured in various publications, including The New Yorker. He has also been known to commemorate the conclusion of an acting project by sketching an illustration of the project’s cast.

To commemorate his time with us this evening, Lithgow produced this original work, which will be auctioned at a later time to support the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative.