The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Guest: John Lithgow (Extended)
Episode Date: March 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features the iconic actor John Lithgow in his tenth appearance on The Late Show. The conversation, brimming with humor, warmth, and insight, traverses Lithgow’s prolific career, his recent and upcoming projects (including a return to Broadway and his role as Dumbledore), reflections on acting, and a moving original poem dedicated to Stephen Colbert as he prepares to depart late night television.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Lithgow’s Milestones and Busy Career

• Tenth Late Show Appearance & Turning 80
  • Lithgow was greeted warmly in celebration of his milestone birthday and his 10th appearance.
    • Colbert: “You've just turned 80 in October.” (02:36)
    • Lithgow: “Yes, I only deal in round numbers.” (02:40)
• Big New Roles
  • Currently performing on Broadway in "Giant," his 25th Broadway production.
  • Announced as Dumbledore for the next eight seasons of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
    • Lithgow: "It's exhausting, but it's exhilarating. Two fantastic jobs like this at my age. I kind of can't believe it. I'm working harder and better than ever." (03:05)

2. Pursuing Contentment & Career Reflections

• On Contentment
  • Cited contentment as his greatest achievement, emphasizing it's an ongoing aspiration.
    • Lithgow: "You can't sustain it the entire time, but you aspire to achieve it constantly." (03:34)
• Looking Back at Age 61
  • At 61, Lithgow was starring in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" on Broadway.
    • Colbert: "Where were you at 61?" (03:40)
    • Lithgow: "2005. I was on Broadway in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in a year long run." (03:56)

3. The Art and Process of Acting

• Defining His Craft
  • Lithgow describes acting as storytelling, essential to daily life.
    • Lithgow: "Everybody needs stories. You can't get through a single day without seeking out some sort of narrative being told to you... I am that part of society that delivers this to the other half." (04:31)
• Acting Tools
  • Attributes successful acting to a combination of voice, physicality, emotional depth, curiosity, and empathy.
    • Lithgow: “An actor uses his body and his voice and the depth of his emotional experience, I think, to sound pretentious for just a moment.” (05:33)
• On Feeling Ready & Taking Chances
  • Frequently felt unprepared but took roles anyway, leading to greater fulfillment.
    • Lithgow: "So many times I've been asked to play things where I've thought, aha, I can't do that. But it was someone else believing in me... and I have one of my great ecstatic experiences." (06:15)

4. Collaborating with Directors and Writers

• Qualities of a Great Director
  • Values directors who foster creativity and act as intermediaries between writer and actor.
    • Lithgow: "Creating a space where an actor feels like he's making a contribution... and being the perfect intermediary between a writer and an actor." (06:39)
• Challenges with Writer-Directors
  • Difficulty arises when directors are rigid in their vision.
    • Lithgow: "I worked with a director once... and I said, I am probably the nicest actor you will ever work with, and if things go on like this, I will murder you." (07:15) [laughing]
    • Emphasizes the need for actors to be co-creators.

5. "Giant" on Broadway and Portraying Roald Dahl

• Role & Themes
  • Lithgow plays Roald Dahl in "Giant", exploring the author's complexities and anti-semitic views.
    • Lithgow: “He had a streak of antisemitism, which is very much what the play is about. It's a piece of history... It's an examination of that day and as you can imagine in this day and age, it's extraordinarily timely.” (08:14)
• London Success & Olivier Award
  • The play was an award-winning hit in London, before transferring to Broadway.
  • Lithgow reminisces about seeing Laurence Olivier perform and the impact on his own career.
    • Lithgow: “I've been stealing from it my entire career, and it was uncanny. Being given the Olivier Award at the Royal Albert Hall... I never met the man, but I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” (10:02)

6. Broader Stage Experiences

• Broadway Debut & Tony Award
  • Debut in 1973 with a play from the UK, winning a Tony just weeks later.
    • Lithgow: “My Broadway debut was in a new play from London... I won a Tony Award two weeks after the opening night.” (11:06)
• Dancing with the New York City Ballet
  • Most recently portrayed the Elephant (as Dame Edna) in "Carnival of the Animals."
    • Lithgow: “I was dancing as well as an elephant can possibly dance.” (12:26)
    • On Mikhail Baryshnikov’s praise: "You are a wonderful dancer." (12:03)

7. Celebrating the Late Show Relationship

• Sentimentality of 10 Appearances
  • Both Colbert and Lithgow reflect on the milestone.
    • Colbert: "I was on with Dave 10 times. That was the number of times I was on with Letterman." (12:48)
    • Lithgow: "Thank God I made it to 10. Yeah, yeah. Stephen. This is a really, really sentimental moment..." (12:51)

Notable Moments & Quotes

John Lithgow’s Surprise Poem to Stephen Colbert

[13:24] Lithgow:
"It's called the Mighty Colbert.
The time has arrived for us all to prepare
for the doleful departure of Stephen Colbert.
How will we last in the gaping black hole
that's left in the absence of this merry soul?...
So why is he cancelled? Why trash all that pleasure?
Why yank off the air this beloved national treasure,
Stephen's tale is a lesson for all who come after.
Beware of a boss with thin skin and no laughter.
But don't mourn for Stephen. He's going to be fine.
He'll only get better. Like aging fine wine.
With a talent so rich and discernment so rare,
there's much more to come from the mighty Colbert."

• The poem, written at the request of Colbert's producer, is both a loving roast and a reflection on Colbert's impact—delivered as a genuine, heartfelt tribute and surprise to the host.
  • Lithgow (on writing the poem): “She sent me the email on Friday and I have tech rehearsals all weekend. I thought, I can never squeeze this in, but I did.” (13:24)
  • Lithgow: "Do not tell, do not show this poem to Stephen. I want him to hear it on TV in front of everybody." (13:53)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–01:58 – [Skipped: Ads]
• 01:58 – Introduction: John Lithgow welcomed.
• 02:30 – Discussion of Lithgow’s 80th birthday & current roles.
• 03:21 – Thoughts on contentment and career milestones.
• 04:16 – Colbert asks Lithgow what acting truly is.
• 05:49 – Lithgow on roles he felt unprepared for.
• 06:33 – Discussion on what makes a good director.
• 07:53 – Portraying Roald Dahl in "Giant" and the play’s themes.
• 08:51 – History and impact of the play "Giant."
• 10:02 – Lithgow on seeing Laurence Olivier perform.
• 11:06 – Lithgow on his Broadway debut and awards.
• 11:32 – On dancing with the New York City Ballet.
• 12:41 – Celebrating 10 appearances and sentimental reflections.
• 13:24 – Lithgow’s surprise poem for Colbert (must-listen moment).
• 16:51 – Promotion for "Giant".

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is filled with warmth and easy banter, in the classic Colbert-Lithgow style—witty, self-deprecating, and wise. Colbert is both reverent and playful, Lithgow gracious, cerebral, and generous with insights, and both speak with great affection for their shared comedic and artistic community. The culminating poem is heartfelt and humorous, matching Colbert’s unique blend of sincerity and wit.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a compelling listen for fans of performance, Broadway, John Lithgow’s work, or Stephen Colbert’s legacy. It showcases the enduring impact of creative risk, collaboration, and mutual respect, while providing poignant and witty reflections on the passage of time and the end of an era in late night television.