John Lithgow, a six-time Emmy winner at 79 who has triumphed over cancer three times, recently shared his profound thoughts on death and how he desires to be remembered. In an interview with Rachel Martin on her podcast Wild Card, Lithgow opened up about the impact of his friend and colleague Doug McGrath's sudden death.

Unveiling Lithgow's Perspective on the End and Legacy

Experiencing the Shock of a Friend's Sudden Departure

Lithgow recounted directing Doug McGrath in his one-man show. One fateful evening, McGrath didn't show up at the theater. It was discovered that he had suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 64 in his office at around four in the afternoon. This traumatic event left a deep mark on Lithgow. "He died painlessly and almost courteously. It was a shock to experience such a thing. He was simply gone, and I had to come to terms with that new reality," Lithgow shared.The loss made Lithgow realize the finality of death. As Martin asked if it changed his perspective on death, Lithgow replied, "I was startled at how soon I was able to absorb it. This lovely man, a dear friend with whom we had worked closely, was no longer with us."

Contemplating One's Own Demise

When Martin inquired if the experience made him more or less comfortable with his own death, Lithgow responded with a firm "more." He said, "I just know it's coming. The best thing is to have a gracious ending. Just like in my work, I calculate my exit from any film, television, or stage play, and I always want a good ending. Well, I want a good ending to my life too - one that doesn't cause others too much grief and is appropriate."

Lessons from Battling Cancer

Lithgow has faced three cancers in his life - in 1988, 2004, and just a couple of years ago. Each time, the melanomas were detected early and removed through surgeries like a prostatectomy. He shared that these experiences forced him to realistically contemplate the possibility of death. "I'm almost glad that I had the shocking experience of being told I have a malignancy. It made me put my whole life into perspective," he explained.Throughout his life, Lithgow has shown resilience and a unique perspective on life and death. His words offer valuable insights into how we should approach the end and leave a meaningful legacy.