John Lithgow Reflects on Family Roots in Welsh Hills, Ohio
Actor John Lithgow recounted the story of how his grandfather emigrated from Wales and discovered a place reminiscent of their homeland thousands of miles away across the Atlantic Ocean.
Orlo Price, along with other family members, established themselves in a town known as Welsh Hills, Ohio, where they began fruit farming during the 19th century.
Lithgow, now 80 years old, visited Wales approximately 55 years ago and expressed that the country is "waiting for me to go seek out my roots."
The actor is widely recognized for his leading role as Dick Solomon in the NBC sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, as well as for his performances in Dexter, The Crown, and Shrek.
Welsh Families Settled in Ohio in Early 1800s
The initial Welsh families arrived in Ohio in the early 1800s, choosing to settle in an area characterized by fertile land, hills, valleys, abundant timber, and natural springs. This environment reportedly reminded them of their homeland.
Orlo Price, Lithgow's maternal grandfather, was among eight brothers who settled in this region.
"It was almost like a 'How Green Was My Valley' story," Lithgow told Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales.
"They all came over together in the 19th century to settle in the Welsh Hills of Ohio, near the town of Granville."
Oscar-nominated Lithgow was raised in southern Ohio and recalled visiting the Welsh Hills.
"We'd visit the Price relatives in these rolling hills covered with peach trees and apple trees," he added.
Despite this familial connection, Lithgow noted that he has only visited Wales once.
"I remember making a destination trip to Caernarfon when I was a drama student. But apart from that I have not been back to Wales to my shame.
"It's sitting there, waiting for me to go seek out my roots."
Recent Roles and Stage Success
Last year, Lithgow portrayed Cardiff-born children's author Roald Dahl in the stage production Giant in London's West End, a performance that earned him an Olivier Award.
This spring, the play transferred to Broadway.
Nicknames and On-Set Traditions
Lithgow enjoys creating nicknames for fellow cast members, a practice that began after working with Welsh actor Matthew Rhys in the American television reboot of the detective series Perry Mason.
He discovered online that a biography listed his nickname as "Jiggles."
"Now this was the first I had ever heard of this, who in the world has ever named me Jiggles?
"But I made the mistake of telling Matthew Rhys that I discovered this and his face lit up.
"From that day I was Jiggles forever and he became Wiggles."
Latest Film: Jimpa
Lithgow's most recent film project is Jimpa, which he described as "a great portrait of generational changes in the gay community."
He stars alongside Olivia Colman, portraying a flamboyant and charismatic character who came out as gay in the 1970s and later became a radical lecturer and campaigner on issues such as HIV.
"It's very interesting to work in an atmosphere where there were so many gay and trans people among the crew, and the cast," Lithgow remarked.
"I was the outlier in many ways, this straight actor playing this flamboyantly gay man."
He described the project as joyful, adding:
"In the space of a couple of years I've worked with Olivia Colman and Matthew Rhys, who are like, the best in the business."
