Andrew Garfield Reveals Struggles Dealing with Spider-Man Fame

Andrew Garfield has reflected on how he dealt with the overwhelming fame that followed his portrayal of Spider-Man. Garfield first suited up as the beloved superhero in The Amazing Spider-Man and later reprised the role in its sequel and 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.

While taking on the Marvel role catapulted Garfield into international stardom, the sudden attention wasn’t easy to handle. In a conversation on The A24 Podcast with Harris Dickinson, the actor revealed that he struggled to navigate the intense scrutiny that came with the job.

“I was really scared,” Garfield admitted. “With all the Spider-Man stuff, I kind of had this allergic response. I was like, ‘I know I’m not ready for this level of scrutiny.’”

To protect himself from the overwhelming spotlight, Garfield shared that he made some deliberate changes to his appearance.

“So, I’m gonna grow a really horrible beard, and I’m gonna wear really f-cked up clothes, and I’m gonna chase down paparazzi and try to talk to them,” he explained.

The actor even revealed that he would confront photographers directly, asking them, “Why are you doing this?”

Garfield reflected on how fame can put personal identity at risk, saying he worried that the constant public attention would compromise “the thing that matters, which is the self.”

Despite the challenges, Garfield recently admitted he never expected to land the role of Spider-Man in the first place. When asked if he would consider playing the character again, he hinted that he’s open to the idea, fueling speculation about his future involvement in the Marvel universe.

What do you think about Andrew Garfield’s approach to managing fame? Should he return as Spider-Man in a future project, or do you prefer seeing him in new roles? Share your thoughts in the comments below!