At our Cinema Society screening of “Argo” a while back, I couldn’t help but let out a little cheer when I saw the award-winning actor show up in the movie playing the good guy. I hadn’t realized that he was in it, and then there he was coming to the aid of the American hostages. Perfect casting, since Victor is one of the nicest men on the planet.
Having had two parents with Alzheimer’s disease, Victor was the primary caregiver for his mother when he was in L.A. shooting the TV show “Alias.” When I was putting together candidates to be interviewed for YOU’D BETTER NOT DIE OR I’LL KILL YOU, I had asked my friend, Laurie Burrows Grad, to make the connection with Victor, whom she knows from both their work with the Alzheimer’s Association. She emailed him about me and the book, and he didn’t hesitate to agree to participate.
As soon as the book was published, I sent him a copy so he could see how his contributions turned out and to thank him for taking time in his busy schedule to answer my questions.
Today, he wrote me a thank you note. How nice is that? This is a man who juggles movie and television projects with theater roles and nonprofit work and is beloved by everyone he meets – and he liked my book. With his permission, I’m sharing his words, which touched me a lot.
Jane, your book is so moving, funny, insightful, and helpful in so many ways.
I am honored to be a part of it . Thank you for including me, and thank you for writing it.
I know that care giving is an ongoing activity for all of us, sometimes in small ways,
and at other times, much more demanding. This book is a helpful reminder, and practical guide,
for all situations requiring our help. I know it will be deeply appreciated.
I hope your holiday season is peaceful, and filled with joy.
All the best,
Victor
I really, really appreciated his kindness.
Aww. What a lovely human being he is :D
That is literally the nicest thing I have seen in weeks.
Not going to lie though – Favorite part of this was the tags. Having his name next to a tag for “You’d better not die or I’ll kill you” made me laugh so hard!
Haha. Didn’t think of the tags, Sam. An interesting juxtaposition of words!
Victor Garber is such a wonderful person. I adore him, and your lovely experience with him is just another great example of why I love him so much. Thanks for sharing this with us!! And congrats to you on being able to have some special moments with him.
He seems so universally well liked, Michel, that I’m sure he’s a pleasure to work with no matter what the occasion. I do feel lucky that he agreed to participate in the book.
I was a caregiver for my grandmother for four months before she passed in February of 2011. It is an extraordinary job and I respect anyone who does it, whether professionally or simply for a loved one. Your story is wonderful, thank you for sharing it with us. It doesn’t surprise me that Victor took the time to do such a wonderful thing. I’ve adored Victor for 15 years and have had the honor of meeting him twice. He really is a fabulous human being and he does such tremendous work for his causes that are close to his heart and is most definitely well loved by everyone. Thank you for sharing!
You’re so welcome, Brooke. How wonderful that you met Victor! He was so easy to work with on the book, so volunteering of information that could help others. He never asked to approve his quotes or insinuated himself in the process. He was just happy to help – a fabulous human being indeed.
Jane, I grew up in his neighborhood in Toronto when Victor was a young man first starting out. He was very kind then, as well. I’m not surprised he has stayed this way. He was the Pied Piper of the little girls in the area. I’m sure this was to his annoyance, but he never let on and acted like he had all the time in the world for us. I have fond memories of hot summer nights sitting on the stoop and listening to his ghost stories-he probably wan’t even 20 years old then!
I love that story about Victor, the Pied Piper, Toma. I can picture him telling you ghost stories in the summer and it’s such a lovely image. I know he’s very proud of being from Canada and I bet it gave him special pleasure to play the Canadian ambassador in “Argo.” Thanks for sharing!
Never knew about Victor Garber’s Canadian origins. Thanks so much for adding that!
Toma, I’m very curious to know which neigborhood in Toronto you grew up in, because I hail from Etobicoke and Islington myself (as a young preteen in the ’50s). When I read about how kind and polite and patient and generous Victor is, and now knowing from where he came, it doesn’t surprise me; makes me proud. People make fun of Canadian pedestrians for waiting at a traffic sign for the “Walk” signal, even with no traffic there. And now that I know he has an important role in “Argo” as well (what a coincidence, since the Toronto “Argos” just won the 100th CFL Grey Cup championship)…I just can’t wait to see it.
Having said all that — how wonderful (and so like him) to be so thoughtful to you, Jane.
Yes, he’s a very thoughtful man, Dave, and his contributions to the book were much appreciated.