Legendary American actor John Lithgow never served in the military. He actually avoided the Vietnam war draft (Nov 1, 1955 – Apr 30, 1975) because of his acting career.
At the time of the war, Lithgow was undergoing his drama studies when he was called up to serve for his country. He managed to keep out of the war by acting.
At the time he had received a federal grant to study in England and during a chat for Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, Lithgow explained what transpired;
But he was eventually sent a draft notice, forwarded on by his parents in New Jersey, which he tried, and failed, to get out of because of his grant.
After the failure, Lithgow was then made to visit a Royal Air Force base in the U.K. which had a U.S. presence.
I just said;
‘I have a pathological fear of conflict.’ I had actually attempted to get out of the draft as a conscientious objector because I objected to the war, but they had completely discarded that,” the 73-year-old recalled.
However, Lithgow still has regrets for not taking part in the war. He said;