John Lithgow has been a familiar face to nearly everyone with access to a screen since the early 1970s, when he began performing on Broadway and appearing in films. Globally, he is beloved for his starring (and award-winning) role in the long-running television series 3rd Rock from the Sun, but his extensive body of work has led him to all sorts of interesting universes. (His role of Winston Churchill, in The Crown, is especially relevant.) In recent years, he has parodied Donald Trump in his best-selling Dumpty books, and now he is directing the new Off Broadway production of Everything’s Fine, which was written by frequent Air Mail contributor Douglas McGrath, who also stars in it. Between rehearsals, he found a few moments to share his key components to the good life. —Ashley Baker
Airport: Atlanta International makes the most sense, and One Flew South is a fabulous restaurant in Concourse E.
Alibi: A truthful one, with two unimpeachable witnesses.
App: Chess.com, although it’s ruining my life.
Bag: A leather man bag I stitched in my arty youth, which my younger son still uses.
Birthday: My own is very nice, thank you.
Breakfast, weekday: Porta Via, Beverly Hills (sentimental reasons).
Breakfast, weekend: Cafe Luxembourg, Manhattan (same).
Child: At the moment, a two-year-old granddaughter.
Cocktail: Ketel One martini, straight up, olives, very cold.
Couple: Michelle and Barack.
date: J. Sheekey in London, then a West End play.
Dinner, weekday: Marea, in Manhattan.
