John Lithgow, a well-known Hollywood actor, recently shared how he landed the role of Yoda in the Star Wars radio drama over forty years ago. In a chat with Collider, he recounted this exciting moment in his career.
It all started when Lithgow was working on Broadway with director John Madden. Madden was also directing the Star Wars radio drama, which featured actors like Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams. Frank Oz, who was famous for bringing Yoda to life with his puppeteering, chose not to voice Yoda in the radio drama. Lithgow stepped in after he jokingly imitated Yoda’s voice during a lunch break. “Oh, impatient is he?” he said, and just like that, he became the voice of Yoda.
Lithgow has a fond history with puppets, having grown up with shows like Sesame Street. Watching characters like Grover certainly influenced his performance as Yoda. “I couldn’t thank you more for bringing that up,” Lithgow said with appreciation for the role. The radio drama of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back aired in 1983 and was a creative adaptation of the original film.
The first Star Wars radio drama premiered in 1981, bringing a new life to the beloved franchise. It adapted the original film into a six-hour audio format. While some main characters returned, many were voiced by new actors, including Lithgow. Other notable substitutes included Perry King as Han Solo and Ann Sachs as Princess Leia.
Today, Lithgow continues to thrive in his career. He is set to play Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter reboot. Lithgow expressed that taking on such an iconic character was a big decision for him. “It came as a total surprise to me,” he shared, knowing that this role would mark a significant chapter in his life. He aims to capture Dumbledore’s essence, and while some may question his American roots in portraying this British character, Lithgow feels confident with some help from a dialect coach.
In addition to his upcoming role in the wizarding world, Lithgow recently starred in the Oscar-winning film Conclave, where he played a cardinal in a locked-room mystery about electing a new pope. This thrilling plot holds many secrets and brings the audience into deep, intricate discussions about power and belief.
As exciting as new projects come, the Star Wars universe continues to evolve. While 2025 appears to be a quieter year for Star Wars releases, fans look forward to the new seasons of beloved series, keeping the spirit of the franchise alive.
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