Ian Lithgow

Ian Lithgow

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.

Early life and education

Ian Lithgow

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

He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1994, majoring in English. 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.

Career

Ian Lithgow

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.

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.

Personal life

Ian Lithgow

Lithgow was married to Rachel Jagoda from 2001 to 2018. They have two children.

Filmography

Film

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1993</td><td>A Pound of Flesh</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Far from Bismarck</td><td>Wallace</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Puppet, Love and Mertz</td><td>Puppet</td><td>Short</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Rice Girl</td><td>Detective Tom Monk</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Fellini's Donut</td><td>Guido Anselmi</td><td>Short</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Tesla</td><td>Alfred Brown</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Sisterhood Inc.</td><td>Randall Cole</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Television

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1996-2001</td><td>3rd Rock from the Sun</td><td>Leon</td><td>48 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Bull</td><td>Griffin Fuller</td><td>Episode: "Name Game"</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>The Blacklist</td><td>Kleeman</td><td>Episode: "Newton Purcell (No. 144)"</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Perry Mason</td><td>Byron Jonathan</td><td>Episode: "Chapter Five"</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Godfather of Harlem</td><td>Fred Straub</td><td>2 episodes (Season 4 episodes 3 and 8)</td></tr></tbody></table>