People News

Andrew Garfield faked mother death

Jun 1, 2012, 15:03 GMT

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield once pretended his mother had died to stop himself being mugged.

The 'Amazing Spider-Man' star was 'desperate' to avoid being robbed in the street as a student, and his tactic worked because his would-be attacker began comforting him instead.

He said: 'I was in London, going to my girlfriend's, and this guy caught me and told me to empty my pockets and I was so desperate I lied and said, 'Listen, I've just come from my mother's funeral.'

'It was an awful thing to say, but it worked and made him see me, and he sat on the steps with me for 10 minutes instead, comforting me.'

However, the actor admits he has never told his mother about his lie and thinks she would be 'heartbroken' if she found out.

He added: 'I've never told my mum about that and it might really upset her. She'd be heartbroken'

Andrew was bullied at school and still doesn't understand why he was singled out for such a long period.

He told GQ magazine: 'I was bullied because I was very confused when I first went to school and there was a kid who was just mean and I didn't understand it, and right into my teenage years when I was mugged on the street, or when I was 17,18 and in drama school and wouldn't be able to do anything because there'd be three or four of them and they'd take my wallet, and I'm come home feeling so disempowered and so angry.'