Episode 264 - A Tribute to Willie Garson

Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine

1964-2021

Rarely at a loss for work, Garson had appeared in over 300 episodes of

television and more than 70 films. Garson is best known for his long

runs on television, as Mozzie on WHITE COLLAR, Stanford Blatch on SEX

AND THE CITY, and Henry Coffield on NYPD BLUE. Other TV series

include ASK HARRIET, and JOHN FROM CINCINNATTI. He had been

recurring as the grifter with a heart of gold Gerard Hirsch on "HAWAII

5-0" since 2015.

Born in New Jersey, he started training at The Actors Institute In New

York, before majoring in Psychology and Theater at Wesleyan

University. After graduation, he quickly started landing guest roles on

shows such as CHEERS, FAMILY TIES, THIRTYSOMETHING, LA LAW, as

well as continually recurring on a wide array of shows including XFILES,

TWIN PEAKS, TWO & A HALF MEN, STARGATE, PUSHING

DAISIES, THE PRACTICE, ALLY MCBEAL, JUST SHOOT ME, SPIN,

SALVATION, etc etc. His favorite longform on TV was Dr. Kreutz for

Steven Spielberg in the acclaimed miniseries TAKEN.

On the big screen, other than reprising his SEX & THE CITY role for two

features, he has collaborated with the Farrely Brothers on 3 films,

SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, KINGPIN, and FEVER PITCH, as well as

appearing in SOAPDISH, GROUNDHOG DAY, MARS ATTACKS, THE

ROCK, BEING JOHN MALKOVITCH, FEED, POLKA KING, and many

others. He has often been re-used by such varied directors as Spike

Jonze, Michael Bay, the late great Mike Nichols, and Ron Shelton.

Garson continued to perform with various bi-coastal theater companies

such as Naked Angles, Manhattan Theater Club, The Roundabout

Theater, and The Geffen. He is very involved with many charities,

including AMFAR, Camp Joslin for Diabetes, Doctors Without Borders,

Habitat for Humanity, and especially The Alliance for Childrens Rights,

which facilitates adoptions in LA County---this has a special place in the

Garson family, as Willie adopted his son Nathen in Los Angeles in 2010,

and has twice served as National Spokesman for National Adoption Day,

as well as winning the Francis Wheat Award from The Alliance, and

many others. Willie and Nathen speak about adoption nationwide.

Aside from acting, Garsonwas known as a world-class poker player,

having been nicknamed "Evil Willie" on the first episode of CELEBRITY

POKER SHOWDOWN, and continued to play in tournaments all over the

world, both for charity, and through the WORLD POKER TOUR.

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