John Lithgow describes feeling hilariously overlooked while traveling through Italy with Stanley Tucci, as fans showed no signs of affection toward him. In an interview with PEOPLE, the six-time Emmy winner and two-time Oscar nominee reflects on spending time with his Conclave co-stars Ralph Fiennes, 61, and Tucci, 63.
During filming breaks, they ventured through Rome, where Tucci’s popularity — boosted by his food and travel series Searching for Italy, which aired on CNN for two seasons — became impossible to miss. “You really felt invisible walking through Rome with Stanley,” says Lithgow, now 79, laughing as he recalls the moment.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Lithgow reflects on his time with co-stars Ralph Fiennes and Tucci during the filming of Conclave
One evening after work, around 6:30 p.m., the trio decided to stop at a wine shop. Lithgow remembers that they had all been invited to the same gathering, so he, Fiennes, and Tucci entered the shop to pick up wine for the host.
“We just asked the driver to drop us off, walked into the store, and Stanley, being Stanley, bought eight bottles,” Lithgow shares. “The second we walked in, the whole place lit up. Everyone—customers and staff—reacted like a rock star had entered the room.”
Meanwhile, Lithgow and Fiennes were left unnoticed, leading to a humorous but humbling realization. “Ralph and I might as well have been background characters in Gandhi—we got no attention whatsoever,” Lithgow jokes. “You just have to accept that kind of thing.”
In Conclave, all three actors portray Catholic Cardinals sailing across the intricate maneuvering within Vatican City as they convene to elect a new pope following the death of the Supreme Pontiff. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Edward Berger, known for All Quiet on the Western Front, the film is based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel of the same name.
Lithgow’s role as the authoritarian Cardinal Tremblay involves the character scheming for enough votes to become the next pope, though his dark past threatens to derail his ambitions.
“It’s a attracting role,” Lithgow teases. “He’s layered with secrets, which makes it an exciting part to play.” The film also features Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes, a no-nonsense nun who oversees the Casa Santa Marta, where the cardinals reside during the conclave.
“What I enjoyed most was working with such an extraordinary ensemble,” Lithgow reflects. “Each actor had fantastic moments to shine, and everything came together seamlessly.” He concludes by praising the production, adding, “The storytelling is truly remarkable, and being part of it was a privilege.”
