At 80, former Dexter star John Lithgow has made Tony Awards history, becoming the oldest actor ever to win a competitive acting Tony Award.
When looking back at the many villains featured throughout Dexter's history, one actor stands out as having left the biggest mark on fans, John Lithgow. His portrayal of Arthur Mitchell, also known as the Trinity Killer, still is one of the most beloved performances in the franchise. Now, the veteran actor has added another major milestone to his huge career.
At the 79th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, John Lithgow made history by becoming the oldest man ever to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play. He earned the honor for his portrayal of author Roald Dahl in the Broadway production Giant.
The victory marks Lithgow's third competitive Tony Award. His first came in 1973, when he won Best Featured Actor in a Play for 'The Changing Room', which also marked his Broadway debut. He later won Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 2002 for 'Sweet Smell of Success'.
For those unfamiliar, the Tony Awards (officially known as the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre) actually represent the highest honor in American theater, as they recognize outstanding achievements in Broadway productions.
Regarded the theater's equivalent of the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys, a Tony Award is considered as one of the most prestigious achievements in the entertainment industry.
Lithgow's latest achievement comes following another high-profile television role. The actor is set to portray Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, which is expected to premiere on Christmas Day.
Although Lithgow first appeared on Dexter nearly 17 years ago, he has repeatedly stated that Arthur Mitchell remains one of the three most important roles of his career. His love about the character has actually been evident through his returns to the role on two separate occasions.
The first came in 2021 with a memorable appearance in Dexter: New Blood. More recently, Lithgow reunited with Michael C. Hall for a more... substantial cameo as the Trinity Killer in the premiere episode of Dexter: Resurrection, reminding us why his performance is still considered one of the greatest villains portrayals in TV history.