“In 1995, I proposed the Harvard Arts Medal. The idea was to celebrate the fact that, although it's rare, Harvard men and women do go into the creative arts. Over the years we've had major, major figures, like Jack Lemmon, John Updike, Yo-Yo Ma, and Bonnie Raitt.”

American actor

John Lithgow is an American actor known for his wide-ranging work on stage and screen. He studied at Harvard University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before building a career that has earned major recognition in theatre, television, and film. His awards include four Actor Awards, seven Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Laurence Olivier Award, and three Tony Awards. He has also been nominated for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, and four Grammy Awards.