Acclaimed actor Andrew Garfield recently talked with Sesame Street’s Elmo about dealing with the loss of his mother in a video that has touched many viewers. In their conversation, Garfield opened up about still mourning his mother’s passing while also celebrating the happy memories he has of her.
The video starts with Elmo asking Garfield how he’s feeling. When Garfield hesitates, Elmo gently encourages him to share. Garfield then reveals that he’s been thinking a lot about his late mother and missing her deeply. He goes on to explain to Elmo that feeling sad about someone who has died can be “kind of a lovely thing” because it shows how much you cared about them.
Garfield says that remembering hugs and cuddles from his mother brings him comfort, like he’s still close to her even though she’s gone. He notes it’s possible to both celebrate a person’s life and feel sad that they passed away at the same time. “When I miss her, I remember it’s because she made me so happy. So I can celebrate her and miss her together,” Garfield tells Elmo.
Elmo is here to listen. Elmo loves you, Mr. Andrew Garfield! ❤️ #EmotionalWellBeing pic.twitter.com/rW86tR5Gof
— Elmo (@elmo) October 18, 2024
This wasn’t the first time Garfield has opened up publicly about grieving his mother. Previously on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he described his grief as “unexpressed love” that he couldn’t share with his mother anymore. His conversation with Elmo takes on extra emotion knowing that Elmo was his mother’s favorite character.
While Sesame Street has a history of addressing difficult topics like grief for children, this video shows its message can resonate with audiences of all ages. Garfield’s honest reflections about mourning his mother provide valuable insights into coping with loss. Since being posted, the video has garnered widespread attention on social media as many viewers say it moved them to tears.
