Andrew Garfield — A Versatile Actor of Stage and Screen
The story of an acclaimed actor who moved from breakout film roles to playing Spider-Man and earning two Academy Award nominations.
Andrew Garfield is an English and American actor known for his work in film, television, and theatre. He rose to fame in The Social Network and as Spider-Man, and has earned two Academy Award nominations along with a Tony Award for his stage work. This is the complete, verified timeline of Andrew Garfield.
Milestones
Andrew Garfield is born.
Garfield wins a BAFTA TV Award.
Garfield rises to prominence.
A landmark year.
Garfield reprises Spider-Man.
Garfield earns his first Oscar nomination.
Garfield wins a Tony.
A second Oscar nomination.
Garfield returns to television.
A new leading role.
- 1983Born in Los Angeles
Andrew Garfield is born.
- 2008Early Recognition in Boy A
Garfield wins a BAFTA TV Award.
- 2010Breakthrough Films
Garfield rises to prominence.
- 2012Spider-Man and Broadway
A landmark year.
- 2014The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Garfield reprises Spider-Man.
- 2016Hacksaw Ridge and Silence
Garfield earns his first Oscar nomination.
- 2018Tony Award for Angels in America
Garfield wins a Tony.
- 2021Tick, Tick... Boom! and The Eyes of Tammy Faye
A second Oscar nomination.
- 2022Under the Banner of Heaven
Garfield returns to television.
- 2024We Live in Time
A new leading role.
Explore this story
Andrew Garfield is an actor who has built a wide-ranging career across film, television, and theatre. Born in Los Angeles in 1983 and raised in England, he holds both British and American citizenship.
He first gained wide attention in the 2010 film The Social Network and became internationally known playing Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel. He has since earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and won a Tony Award for his work on stage.
This timeline traces his life and career with major dates and facts cross-checked against authoritative sources.
- 1983Born in Los Angeles
Andrew Garfield is born.
Andrew Garfield was born in 1983 in Los Angeles, California (his birthdate is commonly given as August 20, 1983). His family moved to England when he was young.
The birth of a future award-nominated actor.
He holds both British and American citizenship.
- 2008Early Recognition in Boy A
Garfield wins a BAFTA TV Award.
For his performance in the television drama Boy A, Garfield won a BAFTA TV Award, an early sign of his talent.
Established him as a rising screen actor.
The role brought him significant critical attention in Britain.
- 2010Breakthrough Films
Garfield rises to prominence.
In 2010, Garfield appeared in Never Let Me Go and in The Social Network, the latter of which brought him wide international attention.
Marked his breakthrough to global recognition.
The Social Network was a major critical success.
- 2012Spider-Man and Broadway
A landmark year.
In 2012, Garfield starred as Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man and made his Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman, playing Biff Loman.
Established him as both a blockbuster lead and a stage actor.
His Broadway debut earned him a Tony nomination.
- 2014The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Garfield reprises Spider-Man.
In 2014, Garfield returned as Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Cemented his association with one of cinema's most famous characters.
He is one of several actors to have played Spider-Man on film.
- 2016Hacksaw Ridge and Silence
Garfield earns his first Oscar nomination.
In 2016, Garfield starred as conscientious objector Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and appeared in Martin Scorsese's Silence.
Marked his rise as a leading dramatic actor.
Desmond Doss was a real-life World War II medic.
- 2018Tony Award for Angels in America
Garfield wins a Tony.
For his performance as Prior Walter in the Broadway revival of Angels in America, Garfield won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
Recognized him as a top-tier stage actor.
The role is one of the most demanding in modern theatre.
- 2021Tick, Tick... Boom! and The Eyes of Tammy Faye
A second Oscar nomination.
In 2021, Garfield played composer Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick... Boom!, earning a second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and winning a Golden Globe; he also appeared in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Confirmed his standing among the leading actors of his generation.
He learned to sing for the musical role.
- 2022Under the Banner of Heaven
Garfield returns to television.
In 2022, Garfield starred in the limited series Under the Banner of Heaven, earning an Emmy nomination.
Extended his acclaim to prestige television.
The series was based on a well-known nonfiction book.
- 2024We Live in Time
A new leading role.
In 2024, Garfield starred in the film We Live in Time.
Continued his run of prominent leading roles.
The film was among his notable recent releases.
— Early Life (1983–2007)
Born in Los Angeles in 1983 and raised in England, Garfield trained as an actor and began his career on stage and screen.
— Breakthrough (2008–2011)
He won a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A in 2008 and broke through internationally with Never Let Me Go and The Social Network in 2010.
— Spider-Man and Stage (2012–2014)
Garfield played Spider-Man in two films while also making his Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman.
— Acclaim (2016–present)
He earned Academy Award nominations for Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021), won a Tony for Angels in America (2018), and continued with acclaimed film and television work.
- Andrew Garfield was born in 1983 in Los Angeles.
- His birthdate is commonly given as August 20, 1983.
- He was raised in England.
- He holds both British and American citizenship.
- He is an actor of film, TV, and theatre.
- He won a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A (2008).
- He rose to prominence in The Social Network (2010).
- He also appeared in Never Let Me Go (2010).
- He was born in Los Angeles in 1983.
- His birthdate is commonly given as August 20, 1983.
- He was raised in England.
- He holds both British and American citizenship.
- He won a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A in 2008.
- He appeared in Never Let Me Go in 2010.
- He broke through internationally with The Social Network (2010).
- He made his Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman (2012).
Garfield is only a blockbuster actor
He is acclaimed across film, TV, and theatre.
He has won an Academy Award
He has two Oscar nominations, not a win.
He was born in England
He was born in Los Angeles and raised in England.
He is only British
He holds both British and American citizenship.
He never worked on stage
He won a Tony Award for Angels in America.
He played Spider-Man only once
He played the role in two films (2012 and 2014).
Desmond Doss was fictional
Doss was a real World War II medic.
He has no TV recognition
He earned an Emmy nomination for Under the Banner of Heaven.
He did not sing in Tick, Tick... Boom!
He learned to sing for the role.
His breakthrough was Spider-Man
He broke through earlier with The Social Network and Boy A.
Note: To maintain accuracy, exact verbatim quotations are omitted where wording could not be independently verified.
Garfield has often spoken about the emotional depth and craft he brings to his roles.
He has discussed his dual British-American identity and his love of both film and theatre, though the exact wording of his statements varies across sources.
Andrew Garfield's legacy is that of a versatile actor equally at home in blockbusters, prestige dramas, and the theatre. With two Academy Award nominations, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA TV Award, he is recognized as one of the leading performers of his generation.
Garfield's range—from playing Spider-Man to demanding stage and dramatic roles—has made him an influential example of an actor who moves fluidly between popular and prestige work. This section notes his standing factually.
- Did you know Andrew Garfield was born in 1983?
- Did you know he was born in Los Angeles?
- Did you know he was raised in England?
- Did you know he holds British and American citizenship?
- Did you know he won a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A?
- Did you know he broke through in The Social Network (2010)?
- Did you know he also appeared in Never Let Me Go (2010)?
- Did you know he played Spider-Man in 2012 and 2014?
Blockbuster vs. prestige: Garfield balances Spider-Man with dramatic and stage roles. Film vs. theatre: He has both Oscar nominations and a Tony Award. Before vs. after 2010: The Social Network marked his international breakthrough. Garfield vs. other Spider-Man actors: He is one of several to play the role on film.
Garfield's impact lies in his versatility, showing how a leading actor can succeed across superhero blockbusters, acclaimed dramas, prestige television, and Broadway. This section records the factual scope of his achievements.
Books on modern film acting and craft.
Works on the history of superhero cinema.
Books on Broadway and stage performance.
Biographies and analyses of contemporary actors.
- Documentaries and features on modern film acting.
- Programs on the making of major films and Broadway productions. (Specific titles omitted where accurate details could not be verified.)
1983 born in Los Angeles, raised in England → 2008 wins a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A → 2010 breaks through in Never Let Me Go and The Social Network → 2012 stars as Spider-Man and debuts on Broadway in Death of a Salesman → 2014 reprises Spider-Man → 2016 earns an Oscar nomination for Hacksaw Ridge and appears in Silence → 2018 wins a Tony for Angels in America → 2021 earns a second Oscar nomination for Tick, Tick... Boom! and wins a Golden Globe → 2022 stars in Under the Banner of Heaven → 2024 stars in We Live in Time.
- His birth in Los Angeles (1983) and upbringing in England.
- Winning a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A (2008).
- His breakthrough in The Social Network (2010).
- Being cast as Spider-Man (2012).
- His Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman (2012).
- His first Oscar nomination for Hacksaw Ridge (2016).
- Working with Martin Scorsese on Silence (2016).
- Winning a Tony for Angels in America (2018).
- His second Oscar nomination for Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021).
- His Emmy-nominated role in Under the Banner of Heaven (2022).
Andrew Garfield's career has not been defined by major public controversies; he is known primarily for his acting work across film, television, and theatre. Where minor media discussion has occurred, this timeline focuses on documented, verifiable career facts rather than speculation.
- BAFTA TV Award for Boy A (2008).
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actor — Hacksaw Ridge (2016).
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play — Angels in America (2018).
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actor — Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021).
- Golden Globe Award — Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021).
- Emmy nomination — Under the Banner of Heaven (2022).
Andrew Garfield is a widely admired actor with a broad international following, known both for his blockbuster role as Spider-Man and for his acclaimed dramatic and stage work. This section notes his prominence factually.
As of 2026, Andrew Garfield remains a prominent and sought-after actor whose versatile body of work spans popular and prestige projects. His career continues to develop, and this timeline reflects documented facts.
1. In what year was Andrew Garfield born?
2. Where was he born?
3. Which 2010 film brought him wide attention?
- 1983: Born in Los Angeles; raised in England.
- 2008: Wins a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A.
- 2010: Breaks through in The Social Network.
- 2012: Plays Spider-Man; Broadway debut.
- 2016: First Oscar nomination (Hacksaw Ridge).
- 2018: Wins a Tony for Angels in America.
- 2021: Second Oscar nomination (Tick, Tick... Boom!); Golden Globe.
SHORT SUMMARY: Andrew Garfield (born 1983) is a British-American actor known for The Social Network and Spider-Man, with two Academy Award nominations and a Tony Award for his stage work.
MEDIUM SUMMARY: Born in Los Angeles in 1983 and raised in England, Garfield won a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A (2008) and broke through internationally in The Social Network (2010). He starred as Spider-Man in 2012 and 2014, made his Broadway debut in 2012, and earned Academy Award nominations for Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021), winning a Golden Globe for the latter. He won a Tony Award for Angels in America (2018) and earned an Emmy nomination for Under the Banner of Heaven (2022). This summary presents documented facts.
LONG SUMMARY: Andrew Garfield, born in 1983 in Los Angeles, California (birthdate commonly given as August 20, 1983), and raised in England, is a British-American actor acclaimed across film, television, and theatre. He first drew critical attention with a BAFTA TV Award for Boy A (2008) and broke through internationally in 2010 with Never Let Me Go and The Social Network. In 2012 he starred as Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man—reprising the role in the 2014 sequel—and made his Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman, earning a Tony nomination. He earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor as real-life World War II medic Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge (2016), the same year he appeared in Martin Scorsese's Silence, and won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for the Broadway revival of Angels in America (2018). In 2021 he earned a second Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe for playing composer Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick... Boom!, and appeared in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. He earned an Emmy nomination for the 2022 series Under the Banner of Heaven and starred in the 2024 film We Live in Time. This timeline focuses on documented, verifiable career facts.
- 1.Encyclopaedia Britannica — Andrew Garfield biography.
- 2.Official Academy Awards (Oscars) and Tony Awards records.
- 3.BAFTA official records.
- 4.Reputable film and entertainment reporting on his roles and honors.
