Andrew Garfield | Success Story of the Marvelous Actor

Andrew Garfield is an English-American actor famous for portraying the iconic role of Spider-Man. He has been a part of the entertainment industry for almost two decades. Andrew has garnered several prestigious accolades like the BAFTA, Golden Globe, and a Tony Award. Besides starring in the blockbuster Spider-Man series, he has been a part of successful movies like The Social Network, Hacksaw Ridge, Silence, Breathe, and Tick, Tick… Boom! In 2022, Time included Andrew in its 100 most influential people in the world list.

About

Andrew Garfield is one of the most prominent actors in the film fraternity. Born in Los Angeles, California, Andrew made his big screen debut in 2007 with the British drama film Boy A. The movie earned him a BAFTA award for the best actor. In his career, he has worked with iconic artists like Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Liam Neeson, Jessica Chastain, Tobey Maguire, Emma Stone, and Justin Timberlake. Recently, Andrew starred in the crime-drama TV miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven and garnered critical acclaim for his performance. 

Early Life

On the 20th of August 1983, Andrew Russell Garfield was born in Los Angeles, California, USA. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish family. His father, Richard Garfield, worked in a swimming club. In contrast, his mother, Lynn Hillman, was a teaching assistant in a nursery school. Andrew’s mother came of British descent. When Andrew turned three, the family moved to Epsom, Surrey, England. He lived an ordinary life in England. His parents ran a small interior design business during their spare time. For schooling, Andrew attended Priory Preparatory School in Banstead, Surrey. It was a boys’ school. During his school years, he loved gymnastics and swimming. Andrew wanted to study business, but things changed when he became a teenager. 

After Priory Preparatory School, Andrew attended the City of London Freemen’s School in Ashtead, Surrey. Andrew could relate to Peter Parker’s character in the Spider-Man series as a child. He loved Spider-Man, and his mother had made him a Spider-Man costume when he was three. Growing up, Andrew wished to sing and dance like Justin Timberlake. His classmates often bullied him for his height and body structure. However, Andrew’s parents were always supportive of him. Andrew gained interest in acting at the age of fifteen. Once, his friend requested him to join theatre studies at A-Level. Andrew agreed and soon inclined toward acting. Consequently, he also started attending a youth theatre workshop in Epsom. After completing studies at the City of London Freemen’s School,  Andrew joined the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England. 

Beginning of Career

After completing his education at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, Andrew started participating in plays. In 2004, he made his stage debut in Soho theatre with the play Mercy. The same year, he starred in Kes and earned a Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for his performance. The following year, Andrew got the opportunity to make his television debut. Channel 4 cast him in the British teen comedy-drama series Sugar Rush. However, Andrew could not gain much recognition for the role. He continued to act in plays. In 2005, Andrew also portrayed the character of Romeo in Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Romeo & Juliet. 

Initial Years

After spending three years in the entertainment industry, Andrew garnered recognition by appearing on BBC’s iconic science-fiction TV show Doctor Who. It was an excellent opportunity for Andrew, and people started noticing him after appearing on the show. Consequently, he debuted in the American film industry. Robert Redford cast him in the American war-drama film Lions for Lambs. Andrew got to work alongside legendary actors like Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. He was just 24 at the time. Between 2007-2010, Garfield worked on several projects like The Other Boleyn Girl, Red Riding, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, I’m Here, and Never Let Me Go. However, the 2010 biographical drama film The Social Network made Andrew a recognized actor in the industry. 

Worldwide Recognition

After the commercial and critical success of The Social Network, Mark Webb cast Andrew in Marvel Entertainment’s The Amazing Spider-Man. The movie achieved groundbreaking success, making Andrew a global icon. There was no looking back for him after the film’s success. In 2016, legendary director, producer, and screenwriter Martin Scorsese cast Andrew in the historical drama Silence. The same year, he starred in Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge. The latter revolved around the experiences of Desmond Doss, an army corporal of the USA during the Second World War. Hacksaw Ridge garnered critical and commercial success. It also earned Andrew an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Andrew became one of the most prominent global icons with these massive successes. Presently, he’s one of the most celebrated actors in the film fraternity. 

Also read: Tom Holland | Success story of Marvel’s Spider-Man