Jean Taynton Is John Lithgow's Ex-wife – She Sustained Their Family before He Became Famous

Jean Taynton was an integral part of John Lithgow's early career. Not only did she staunchly support her ex-husband, but she also shared his passion for acting in theater. The two lived a fulfilling life in different parts of the world, riddled with ups and downs, eventually separating in 1980.

Jean Taynton was married to Hollywood heavyweight John Lithgow, best known for his starring role in the 90s sci-fi comedy, "3rd Rock from the Sun." Lithgow was initially reluctant to join the show's cast, but it took minutes for its creators to convince him.

And not only did he join "3rd Rock from the Sun," but he became the leading man for the show's six seasons. As audiences received it warmly, it earned multiple awards, including five of eight Emmys in 1997.

Among Lithgow's co-stars were Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who married Tasha McCauley, Jane Curtin, Kristen Johnston, Wayne Knight, and many more, who led successful careers after the last episode aired.

By the time Lithgow was a part of "3rd Rock from the Sun," his marriage to Taynton had been long over. Still, it was a union worth remembering and cherishing as he did in his 2012 memoir, "Drama: An Actor's Education."

Jean Taynton and John Lithgow Were Cast as a Couple on Stage

Taynton met Lithgow in the 1960s while working and living in Cambridge as a teacher. She had attained her tertiary education at Oberlin College and spent her summers at the Highfield Theater, where she mostly took comedic roles.

It was at the Highfield Theater that she met her future husband when they were cast as a couple in W.S. Gilbert's opera "Patience." Taynton played Lady Jane, while Lithgow portrayed her lover, Bunthorne.

The show was a roaring success, and Taynton had such a good time with Lithgow they developed a close bond. Only weeks later, the two were in a romantic relationship; however, they were quite the odd pairing.

As Lithgow explained in his novel, he was a string bean next to Taynton, whom he described was a Brussels sprouts. Yet, despite their differences in stature, Taynton was six years older than her beau. Still, Lithgow was enamored with her, as he said:

"To my youthful eyes, Jean was a blend of effervescence and gravitas, of girlishness and maturity."

Jean Taynton Sustained Their Family While John Lithgow Looked for a Job

Taynton and Lithgow had been together for over a year when they married in 1966 at the Episcopal church in Philadelphia. The ceremony took place in front of an audience of about 50 people.

They then moved to London, where Lithgow pursued his much-desired drama education while Taynton sought work in the city's schools. Despite how busy their days would get, the former lovers always dedicated their evenings to finding and watching plays together.

By the time they returned to the U.S., Taynton had been working at The World Blind Centre, where she made a name for herself, successfully teaching dyslexic children how to read. However, Lithgow didn't immediately start acting upon his return as he'd wished.

He first worked in his father's theater, the McCarter Theater Repertory Company. During his time there, Taynton gave birth to their first child nine weeks early, who lived only a few hours before passing. After the tragedy, Taynton became a teaching specialist in Westchester County.

She supported herself and her husband with her earnings, and Lithgow taught her how to drive so she wouldn't have to commute to work every day. Then along came their son, Ian Lithgow (also an actor, much like Steve McQueen's granddaughters), in February 1972.

Taynton had to leave her employment, forcing her husband to pause his acting pursuits and find other work for the time being. He volunteered at a radio station performing comedy sketches and radio drama.

After leaving that position, Lithgow was about to move to Baltimore when he received a call with an acting opportunity availing itself. It was the start of a noteworthy career, with him, Taynton, and their son relocating from New York to Branford, Connecticut.

Jean Taynton Divorced John Lithgow after His Affair with a Broadway Actress

As her husband's career skyrocketed in the 1970s, Taynton and Lithgow experienced troubles in their marriage but were determined to make it work. That was until Lithgow was cast in a Broadway production with Liv Ullmann, whose work he absolutely admired.

Lithgow and Ullmann grew close during rehearsals, and their bond eventually led to an affair. When they performed in Toronto, Taynton flew with little Ian to visit Lithgow, where he suddenly confessed his infidelity.

Though he couldn't admit it to himself or Taynton, he was ready for his marriage to end. And so it did, in divorce, in 1980. Little is known about Taynton since her separation from Lithgow, but her son graduated from Harvard in 1994. In addition to acting, he's also a therapist specializing in marriage and family therapy.