Andrew Garfield takes top award at controversy-stricken Golden Globes

Andrew Garfield has won the award for Best Actor in a musical or comedy at the 2022 Golden Globes for his starring role in Tick Tick…. Boom!

It takes 43 muscles to smile. Thanks for the work out 🏋️‍♀️ Andrew Garfield, and congratulations for taking home the #GoldenGlobe for Best Actor — Motion Picture — Musical/Comedy. pic.twitter.com/V55dore2eH
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 10, 2022

The Golden Globes did not hold their usual ceremony this year due to both covid concerns in Los Angeles as well as a boycott due to corruption and racism allegations against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who organise the awards.

Instead of the usual glitzy affair, the Golden Globes was a muted affair held in a small ballroom at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Prize recipients were announced on social media instead of by celebrity hosts as in past years.

Garfield beat out tough competition from the likes of Leonardo Di Caprio, Peter Dinklage and Anthony Ramos to take the award. Tick Tick…Boom!, directed by Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda, tells the story of Jonathan Larson, the man who wrote hit Broadway musical Rent, at a deeply tumultuous time in his life.

Speaking to the JC, Garfield said: “Telling the story of Jonathan Larson, especially during this particular part of his life — it’s such an incredible, universal story to hold up, especially for young artists, but for everyone who’s ever had a dream —I find that to be the victory.”

Larson’s Jewish heritage is briefly mentioned in the film and Garfield told the JC how he felt connected to this part of Larson’s identity. He said: “The fact that we both have a Jewish heritage in our blood, it probably enabled me to feel that kindred, bone ancestral feeling. And the fact that we’re both Jewish artists, I think that’s a very specific breed.

“It’s just like, ‘Oh, we come from the same tribe,’ and how beautiful to find not only a member of my tribe in art but a member of my tribe in Jewish heritage, which I value so much and which I feel so grateful that I have in my system."