The New Yorker Radio Hour John Lithgow on the Controversial Authors Roald Dahl and J. K. Rowling
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Mar 27, 2026 
John Lithgow, veteran actor known for stage, film, and TV, discusses playing Roald Dahl in Giant and his conflicted involvement with HBO’s Harry Potter project. He explores portraying complicated figures, researching Dahl’s life, and why the play resonates today. He also talks about wrestling with J. K. Rowling’s public statements while deciding to take the Dumbledore role.
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Art Coexists With Creators' Moral Failings
- Great art can coexist with grievous moral failings in its creator.
- David Remnick reflects that Wagner's anti-Semitism and Roald Dahl's hateful remarks sit uneasily next to works audiences call beloved, forcing moral complexity.
Dahl's Childhood Trauma Shaped Lithgow's Portrayal
- John Lithgow used Dahl's childhood trauma as an entry point to the role.
- He compiled Dahl's losses: prep-school beatings, a near-fatal plane crash, and multiple family tragedies to understand the origins of his bitterness.
Bigotry As Manifestation Of Personal Damage
- Lithgow sees hatred as a manifestation of personal damage and pain.
- He argues Dahl's anti-Semitism leaks from his inner demons and life injuries, making the prejudice part of a psychological portrait.
