Andrew Garfield's grieving Heart: How Tick, Tick... Boom! became personal
Andrew Garfield found solace in his role in Tick, Tick... Boom!, channelling his grief from the loss of his mother, Lynn, to bring life to the character of Jonathan Larson.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:28 PM ISTAndrew Garfield found solace in his role in Tick, Tick... Boom!, channelling his grief from the loss of his mother, Lynn, to bring life to the character of Jonathan Larson.
Andrew Garfield in Tick Tick... Boom! (2021) (Source: Backstage)
Andrew Garfield, the revered actor best known for his stint as Spider-Man, found the path to heal from a personal tragedy converged with a significant role in his career. Stepping into the shoes of Jonathan Larson for Netflix's Tick, Tick... Boom! wasn't just another role for Garfield. It was an ode to his late mother, Lynn Garfield, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Playing Larson, the genius behind Rent who left the world too early at 35, Garfield found a way to channel his own grief and commemorate two beautiful souls. “I got to sing Jonathan Larson’s unfinished song while simultaneously singing for my mother and her unfinished song,” he shared, visibly moved, during his appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Also read: From tragedy to hope: Rediscovering Andrew Garfield's impact as Spider-Man
The film, directed by the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda, is more than just a cinematic experience for Garfield. "I’m indebted to John, and I’m indebted to Lin-Manuel Miranda, I’m indebted to everyone who’s brought me to this place so I can honor the most beautiful person that I’ve ever experienced in my life through my art and use it as a way to heal," he articulated. For him, the movie serves as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the need to cherish every moment, echoing his sentiments: "We all know somewhere deep down that life is sacred, life is short, and we better just be here as much as possible with each other holding on to each other.”
Also read: Flashback: Unraveling the love and closure behind Garfield's Spider-Man reunion
Tributes and timeless bonds
Prior to Tick, Tick... Boom!, Andrew Garfield had opened up about his mother's battle with cancer during an interview with Variety. The timeline revealed that he was aware of Lynn's diagnosis even before he took on the role in the 2021 biopic, The Eyes of Tammy Faye. However, the silver lining amidst the clouds of sadness was the time they spent together. “The good news about me and her is that we left nothing unsaid,” Garfield reminisced, labeling the final two weeks by her side as the most profound of his life.
Garfield's journey with Tick, Tick... Boom! stands as a testament to the power of art and its ability to heal, remember, and celebrate the lives that touch ours.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)