Andrew Garfield says Jessica Chastain changed 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' filming so he could visit mother
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Andrew Garfield, 41, has expressed his deep gratitude for the support he received from his 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' co-star, Jessica Chastain, during a difficult time in his life.
While filming the movie in 2019, Garfield was given the chance to spend precious time with his mother, Lynn Garfield, before she died from pancreatic cancer.
Jessica Chastain's last-minute filming changes
Andrew Garfield revealed that Jessica Chastain and Searchlight Pictures' David Greenbaum rearranged the movie’s filming schedule so he could travel back to England to be with his mother.
“What was amazing was that [Searchlight Pictures’ David Greenbaum] and Jessica rearranged the schedule last-minute — put filming on hold [in North Carolina] for a few days so that I could go back [to England] and be with my mom for 10 days,” Garfield told People.
The flexibility allowed Garfield to be by his mother's side during the final days of her life, a gesture he greatly appreciated.
Vincent D'Onofrio's advice to Andrew Garfield at the time of his mother's death
During this difficult time, Andrew Garfield also received meaningful advice from his fellow co-star Vincent D'Onofrio who encouraged him to prioritize his family.
D'Onofrio, who had experienced a similar loss, reassured Garfield that taking the time away was the right decision.
“Because he had his own experience with a loss that he wasn't able to make it back for, he said, ‘Go. You got to go,’” Garfield recalled. “And I was like, ‘Well, I know I've got to go and thank you,’” he added.
While on set, Garfield and Chastain spent a lot of time together, frequently visiting Heritage USA, the former Christian theme park run by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
“We would have deep conversations, because we were both getting to know each other as people,” Garfield shared, reflecting on the time he spent with Chastain.
“I’m really very grateful for that time with her because it was the time when my mum was really sick and ultimately passed away,” Garfield added.
Andrew Garfield remembers his mother's final days
Lynn Garfield died at the age of 69 following which Garfield has spoken publicly about the deep impact her loss had on him.
In a 2021 interview with Variety, Garfield described his mother as “the purest angel."
“The good news about me and her is that we left nothing unsaid,” he said at the time.
“We had all the quality time we could possibly have while she was here. And those last two weeks I got to be with her were probably the most profound two weeks of my life,” he said.
He added that their final time together, spent with family and close friends, was “full of grace in the midst of the terrible tragedy.”
Garfield also opened up about his mother and his grief during a visit to Sesame Street with Elmo where he explained how he copes with missing her.
“I’m happy to have all the memories of my mom and the joy she brought me, and the joy she brought my brother and my dad and everyone she ever met, everyone around her,” he said.
“So when I miss her, I remember, I remember it’s because she made me so happy. So I can celebrate her and I can miss her at the same time,” Garfield added.
