Actor Andrew Garfield has been on a success streak, being nominated for a Screen Actor Guild (SAG) Award  following his win at the Golden Globes. This past Golden Globes, Jan. 9, and was awarded Best Actor for his performance in the new Musical/ Comedy “Tick, Tick… BOOM!” Just a few days following, he was nominated for an SAG award for his acting once again in the movie “Tick, Tick… BOOM!” This British-American actor first debuted in 2007, in the film “Lions for Lambs,” and is very well-known for his role as Peter Parker in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and fans went crazy upon his surprise return in the recent Spider-Man movie, “No Way Home.”

Garfield opens up in an interview following his nomination elaborating on the grief and loss intertwined with the movie, “Tick, Tick… BOOM!” In this film Garfield plays the late Jonathan Larson, the creator of “Rent,” and is grateful for the nomination as it allows him to recognize Larsons life and work. Garfield tells interviewers that Larson dedicated his life to theater and storytelling, with this nomination being a way to honor his legacy. After Larson passed away suddenly Jan. 25, 1996, the morning of the first off-broadway performance of Rent. “Tick, Tick… BOOM!” was created to tell the story of his life.

Although it is a seemingly positive movie, Garfield made sure to bring attention to the themes of grief throughout the movie during his interview. Garfield relates this theme of grief in his own life, experiencing his own loss following the death of his mother, who he lost to pancreatic cancer in 2019 shortly before filming started. He tells interviewers that grief is not as sad as it is made out to be, and it needs to be normalized. Garfield opens up about the stigma regarding celebrities and revealing their emotions. He explains to interviewers, society finds more appeal in hearing about achievements or successes of celebrities than anything else, and he is looking to break this stigma. He continues to say sharing memories and talking about his mother brings him joy, and allows him to celebrate her life. Garfield explains that his own personal grief allowed him to have a deeper connection to his role in this film, and form a deeper bond to the role itself.  

Garfield has been nominated in the same category, Best Actor, as Javier Bardem for “Being the Ricardos,” Benedict Cumberbatch for “The Power of the Dogs,” Will Smith for “King Richard,” and Denzel Washington for “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” After winning his first Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical, and now receiving his nomination for the SAG awards, many are speculating on the upcoming Oscars and what the future holds for Garfield.