A Very Special-Guest Post

Hello. My name is Andrés Arturo García Menéndez. You may know me as Andy Garcia. I...am an actor.

I couldn’t help but notice that the conversation, the banter if you will, on this blog had shifted to me and my body of work. As an actor of the people, I am known to browse the world wide web to hear what my fans think about me, and my art.

I found myself, sitting in my trailer on the set of Ocean’s 13 where I’ll been reprising my role as the antagonist Terry Benedict. George Clooney’s equally matched, yet bitter rival (Ocean's 11 & 12 Available @ Amazon.com), sipping some Chamomile Tea with just a splash of honey, listening to the soothing sounds of Enrique Iglesias, and I came across the touching words of Mr. Dude. I was so moved, I couldn’t just sit there in silence. I thought of Lance Armstrong. If he can make the world a better place with a wristband, I can reach out to a fan.

I am reminded of an episode of the “George Lopez Show” (Wednesday’s at 8 on ABC) I guest starred on this past March entitled “George Doesn’t Trustee Angie’s Brother”. I was talking with Mr. Lopez himself. He’s a good friend, we had dinner together...I don’t like to brag. Anyway, he was asking me about my Tour De Force “When A Man Loves A Woman” (Only 9.99 on Amazon.com). “Andrew,” he said, “your film, “When A Man Loves A Woman” so touched me and my lovely wife. How do you do it? How do you bring such amazing realism. Such heart. Such bravery. Such....intensity. I know you don’t like to do nude scenes, but you couldn’t have been more stripped in that film.” This is a question I get often from my peers. Ironically enough I was asked that exact same question by another man.

People often forget that I received a nomination for that movie. I was up for “Most Desirable Male” at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards. I ended up losing to “Interview with the Vampire’s” Brad Pitt. Some five year’s later I found myself on the set of “Ocean’s 11” ($8.99 on Amazon.com) in which Mr Pitt was playing a supporting role. And there was that question again. The heart, the intensity, the bravery. How do I do it?

To be honest, I don’t know how to describe it. My good friend, Michael Douglas once told me on the set of my film “Black Rain” ($12.99 on Amazon.com) “You are a beacon of light in an actor’s world of fog mist. You make every actor around you a better person. Your acting power is so....vibrant your fellow actors are compelled to lift you in the air. To raise you to the heavens. You...Andrew Garcia. You complete us.”

A common misconception is that the “You complete me” quote is from Jerry Maguire. It’s a common misconception.

I’d like to thank all of you for your time. Look for me this December, where I’ll be co-starring with Kevin Bacon in the film “The Air I Breathe”