Andrew Garfield

Andrew Russell Garfield, born on 20 August 1983, stands as a versatile actor hailing from both English and American backgrounds. His commendable achievements encompass a Tony Award, a BAFTA TV Award, and a Golden Globe, along with nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, and two Academy Awards. Time Magazine recognized Garfield's influence by placing him on its prestigious list of the 100 most influential people globally in 2022.


Originating from Los Angeles but nurtured in Epsom, England, Garfield underwent training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His professional journey took flight on the UK stage and in television productions. The inaugural appearance in the 2007 ensemble drama Lions for Lambs marked the beginning of his cinematic voyage, and his commendable portrayal in the television film Boy A (2007) earned him acclaim. In 2010, Garfield garnered international acclaim for his supporting role as Eduardo Saverin in the drama The Social Network.


Widening his horizons, Garfield gained prominence by donning the iconic suit as Spider-Man in the superhero films The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), and the recent Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Notable Academy Award nominations followed his roles as Desmond Doss in the war film Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and as Jonathan Larson in the musical Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021). The latter also fetched him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. His recent venture led him to embody a Mormon detective in the crime drama miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven (2022).


Venturing onto the stage, Garfield graced the 2012 Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman and portrayed Prior Walter in a 2017 London production of Angels in America. Reprising the latter role on Broadway the following year, he clinched the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.


Andrew Russell Garfield, born on 20 August 1983 in Los Angeles, California, has a rich and diverse heritage. His mother, Lynn (née Hillman), hails from Essex, England, while his father, Richard Garfield, is a native Californian. Notably, Richard's lineage traces back to the United Kingdom. When Garfield was merely three years old, his parents decided to relocate the family from the United States to the United Kingdom, settling in Epsom, Surrey.


Garfield's upbringing was secular, though he identifies with his Jewish roots on his father's side, describing himself as a "Jewish artist." His paternal grandparents, originally bearing the surname "Garfinkel," were part of Jewish immigrant families that made their way to London from Poland, Russia, and Romania.


In Epsom, Garfield's parents managed a small interior-design business, with his mother also serving as a teaching assistant at a nursery school, and his father assuming the role of head coach at the Guildford City Swimming Club. Notably, Garfield's older brother pursued a career as an NHS doctor at Royal Brompton Hospital.


During his early years, Garfield demonstrated prowess as a gymnast and swimmer. Despite initially intending to study business, his trajectory shifted at the age of 16 when a friend persuaded him to delve into theatre studies at A-level, filling a crucial vacancy in the class. Garfield's educational journey led him through Priory Preparatory School in Banstead and City of London Freemen's School in Ashtead before formal training at the Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London.


Before his foray into acting, Garfield's first job took him to Starbucks, where he worked across three different establishments in Golders Green and Hendon. The diverse experiences in his formative years contribute to the multifaceted persona of the accomplished actor we know today.


Garfield's journey into the realm of acting commenced at the tender age of nine when he enrolled in acting classes in Guildford, Surrey. His early exposure included a notable appearance in a youth theatre production of Bugsy Malone. Further nurturing his passion, he joined a youth theatre workshop group in Epsom and pursued theatre studies at A-level. This foundation paved the way for three additional years of intensive training at the Central School of Speech and Drama, a prominent UK conservatoire.


Post-graduation in 2004, Garfield initially found his stride in stage acting. His breakthrough came with a Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Newcomer in 2004, recognizing his compelling performance in Kes at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. This success was complemented by an Outstanding Newcomer Award at the 2006 Evening Standard Theatre Awards.


Garfield ventured into British television in 2005 with a role in the Channel 4 teen drama Sugar Rush. The following year, he stepped onto the iconic stage of the BBC's Doctor Who in the episodes "Daleks in Manhattan" and "Evolution of the Daleks." Acknowledging the honor of being part of Doctor Who, Garfield's talent didn't go unnoticed as he was named one of Variety's "10 Actors to Watch" in October 2007.


His American film debut occurred in November 2007 with the ensemble drama Lions for Lambs, sharing the screen with industry giants like Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Robert Redford. Despite his humility, stating, "I don't really expect to be recognized later by audiences," Garfield's work drew attention, with Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe acknowledging his willingness to be a "punching bag for the movie's jabs and low blows."


The Channel 4 drama Boy A marked a significant chapter in Garfield's career, earning him the 2008 BAFTA Award for Best Actor. His portrayal of a notorious killer seeking redemption resonated with critics, with praise for the intelligence and sensitivity he brought to the role. Subsequent projects, such as The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and supporting roles in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) and the Red Riding television trilogy (2009), continued to showcase Garfield's versatility and garnered critical acclaim. Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times specifically highlighted Garfield's standout performance in the Red Riding trilogy, describing it as "phenomenal" and recognizing his ability to capture the essence of his characters.

References

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12. a b Davis, Erik (31 October 2016). "Andrew Garfield on 'Hacksaw Ridge,' 'Silence' and the Absurdity of War". Fandango. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016.
13. ^ Applebaum, Stephen (30 December 2021). "Andrew Garfield: 'I value my Jewish heritage so much'". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
14. ^ Buckley, Cara (7 January 2017). "Andrew Garfield, Spiritual Ghost in the Hollywood Machine". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018. His family was a loving one, he said, and his father was Jewish.