Heather: I tell this story again and again because it really emphasizes who he was. We were filming through Thanksgiving and Christmas, and up until The Princess Diaries, I’d mostly been doing independent films (laughs) where you’re lucky to get a sheet as you change behind a dumpster and have two-day-old bread on the craft services table.
I remember we stopped shooting early one afternoon, and I was confused because I didn’t know what was going on. Then all of a sudden, there was this mini Thanksgiving Day parade that Garry had put together. He invited all the families and children of the crew, and he was in the final car dressed as Santa Claus.
When you’re making a movie, you’re sometimes away from your family for two, three, or even four months at a time. Garry was very adamant that family came first.
That was a real eye-opener for me. It showed his generosity and kindness, and that filmmaking can be quite joyful.
