Garfield surprised audiences on Friday as he joined Elmo to talk about grief, love, and his late mother Lynne, who passed from pancreatic cancer.
In a touching moment captured on Friday, Andrew Garfield opened up to Elmo about the sorrow of losing a loved one, and their exchange has quickly gained popularity online.
During their chat, Elmo checked on Garfield’s well-being, asking how he felt, much like Elmo does with everyone on “Sesame Street.” Garfield spoke fondly about his mother, Lynne, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2019, sharing that feeling her absence brings him closer to her in a “strange way.”
“Oh, I’m so thrilled to see you, Elmo. You can’t imagine,” Garfield said in the clip, which has garnered millions of views. “I’m managing. I’m just thinking about my mum today. She passed away not long ago, and I really miss her.”
Elmo expressed his sympathy to Garfield, who noted that it’s perfectly okay to miss someone.
“Elmo feels really sad when he misses someone,” Elmo replied.
Garfield explained that this feeling of sadness is “kind of a gift, a lovely thing to experience because it signifies that you truly loved that person.”
“When I miss someone, I reflect,” he continued. “When I miss my mom, I cherish the cuddles and hugs she gave me.”
‘Elmo was my mummy’s favorite,’ Andrew Garfield shares
Garfield expressed gratitude for the memories of “my mum and the joy she brought to me, my brother, my dad, and everyone she met.”
“So when I miss her, I remind myself it’s because she filled my life with happiness,” Garfield explained. “Thus, I can honor her while also grieving.”
Elmo was “really touched” by Garfield’s story and was “very glad” to hear him talk about his mother, telling him that he too would think of and celebrate his own mommy.
“Nothing would bring me more joy, and I know it would make her happy too, because I have to let you in on a secret,” Garfield said. “Elmo was my mummy’s favorite.”
The segment concluded with Garfield and Elmo embracing and exchanging words of love: “I love you.”
The internet reacts emotionally to Andrew Garfield’s discussion with Elmo
For some, Garfield’s openness about his grief has made it easier to deal with painful memories, such as the loss of a loved one.
“I can’t see clearly, my screens are all blurry, what’s happening?” one viewer commented.
