Before achieving global stardom, Academy Award nominee Andrew Garfield spent his early years in Los Angeles sharing living arrangements with a circle of fellow struggling British actors. Around 2008 to 2009, Garfield, Jamie Dornan, Eddie Redmayne, Robert Pattinson, and Charlie Cox pooled resources, shared housing, and frequented auditions together in West Hollywood while trying to launch their American film careers.
The Early Hollywood Years: The Context of Andrew Garfield's LA Flatshare
During the late 2000s, breaking into the American entertainment industry required international actors to make an expensive leap of faith. The tradition of "pilot season"—a grueling annual window between January and April when television networks cast dozens of new TV pilots—drew thousands of hopeful actors to Los Angeles. For British actors who had achieved moderate success in United Kingdom theatre or television, relocating to California was both a necessity and a significant financial gamble.
Andrew Garfield was among this ambitious cohort of British talent. Having earned critical praise in the United Kingdom for his performances in stage plays and the 2007 television drama Boy A, Garfield traveled to Los Angeles to test the waters of American film and television auditions. However, renting solo accommodation in neighborhoods convenient to major studios—such as West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Studio City—was prohibitively expensive for actors who had not yet secured major US paychecks.
To manage the high cost of living in Los Angeles and survive the relentless cycle of auditions, Garfield entered into an informal co-living setup with several fellow British actors. What began as a practical cost-saving strategy quickly evolved into one of the most famous legendary shared living arrangements in modern Hollywood history.
Who Lived Together? The Famous British Acting Circle
While public memory often refers to the group as "roommates in a single apartment," the practical reality involved a mix of shared leaseholders, long-term couch surfers, and constant house guests centered around a rental residence in the West Hollywood area.
The Core Leaseholders and Frequent Housemates
- Jamie Dornan and Eddie Redmayne: The primary rental agreement for the West Hollywood house was officially held by Jamie Dornan (later star of Fifty Shades of Grey and Belfast) and Eddie Redmayne (future Academy Award winner for The Theory of Everything). The two shared the master lease and managed the monthly household expenses.
- Andrew Garfield: Garfield spent extensive periods living in the house, sharing communal living quarters, sleeping on guest beds or couches during prolonged audition runs, and participating fully in the household's shared daily routines.
- Robert Pattinson: Pattinson was a constant presence in the living arrangement prior to his monumental breakout in the Twilight franchise. He frequently crashed on the couch between auditions and spent long stretches living alongside the group.
- Charlie Cox: Known later for his title role in Marvel's Daredevil, Cox was another vital member of this close-knit group, regularly staying at the residence and sharing food, transport, and audition advice.
Group Living Dynamics (Circa 2008–2009)
- Leaseholders: Jamie Dornan & Eddie Redmayne
- Core Residents & Co-habitants: Andrew Garfield
- Frequent House Guests & Collaborators:
- Robert Pattinson
- Charlie Cox
This concentrated gathering of future A-list talent created a unique environment. Rather than competing against one another with hostility, the group developed a collaborative brotherhood that sustained them through months of industry rejection.
Daily Life in the West Hollywood Flatshare: Auditions, Expenses, and Shared Resources
The daily routine of Andrew Garfield and his roommates reflected the unglamorous realities of struggling actors trying to establish themselves in Hollywood. Their shared living arrangement was defined by strict budgeting, mutual support, and creative resourcefulness.
Pooling Financial Resources and Food Expenses
Los Angeles in the late 2000s was expensive for young actors earning in British pounds or relying on limited savings. To stretch their money, Garfield and his housemates managed household chores and shared food costs:
- Shared Meals and Buffet Dining: The group famously frequented local budget-friendly dining spots. A recurring story shared by Dornan and Redmayne in later interviews involved visiting local sizzler restaurants or salad bars where they could maximize food portions for minimal cost.
- Dividing Groceries: Household staples were purchased in bulk and shared across the group. Cooking responsibilities were split, ensuring everyone was fed even when audition callbacks were scarce.
- Splitting Utilities and Transport: Driving in Los Angeles required gas and car rentals. The housemates often carpooled to audition lots across Burbank, Culver City, and Santa Monica to save on fuel and parking fees.
Preparing for Auditions Together
Beyond financial savings, the living arrangement provided an intense, informal acting lab. On any given day, multiple housemates might receive scripts for the exact same roles in film or television projects.
Instead of hiding scripts or competing secretively, Garfield, Redmayne, Dornan, Cox, and Pattinson actively helped one another prepare:
- Reading Lines: Housemates served as readers for off-camera audition tapes, giving each other constructive feedback on accents, pacing, and character choices.
- Wardrobe Sharing: Money was tight enough that the group shared a communal wardrobe of formal jackets, suits, and shoes. If one member had a high-stakes general meeting with a studio executive, he would borrow the best-fitting jacket owned by another housemate.
- Emotional Resilience: Auditioning during pilot season involves constant rejection. Having four or five peers returning to the same house every evening allowed the actors to debrief, process disappointments, and keep their morale high.
Key Figures of the Shared Living Setup: Career Comparison
The sheer concentration of talent within this single shared living arrangement is virtually unprecedented in contemporary cinema history. Within a decade of living together in West Hollywood, all five major members of the circle achieved international fame, major award nominations, and lead roles in massive media franchises.
| Actor | Primary Role in the LA Living Setup | Major Career Breakout Project | Key Franchise or Historical Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Garfield | Long-term resident & audition partner | The Social Network (2010) | The Amazing Spider-Man, Academy Award Nominations (Hacksaw Ridge, Tick, Tick... Boom!) |
| Eddie Redmayne | Primary leaseholder (co-rented with Dornan) | Les Misérables (2012) | Academy Award Winner (The Theory of Everything), Fantastic Beasts franchise |
| Jamie Dornan | Primary leaseholder (co-rented with Redmayne) | The Fall (2013–2016) | Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, Belfast |
| Robert Pattinson | Frequent house guest & co-habitant | Twilight (2008) | The Twilight Saga, The Batman, Tenet |
| Charlie Cox | Resident group member & audition collaborator | Boardwalk Empire (2011) | Marvel's Daredevil (Marvel Cinematic Universe) |
The Breakout Turning Points: How the Flatshare Disbanded
The shared living arrangement naturally dissolved as individual members achieved commercial breakthroughs, shifting their financial circumstances and professional commitments.
Robert Pattinson’s Early Breakthrough
The first major shift in the household dynamics occurred in late 2007 and early 2008 when Robert Pattinson landed the lead role of Edward Cullen in the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. The sudden, overwhelming global stardom that followed meant Pattinson could no longer move through public space unnoticed, nor did he need to stretch budget dollars at local diners.
Dornan and Redmayne have humorously recalled in interviews how Pattinson’s instant success initially created a dramatic contrast within the household, as Pattinson transitioned from crashing on their sofa to dealing with international paparazzi virtually overnight.
Andrew Garfield’s Double Breakout
For Andrew Garfield, the turning point arrived in 2009 when director David Fincher cast him as Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network (2010). Garfield's critically acclaimed performance earned him BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations, establishing him as one of the premier dramatic talents of his generation.
Shortly thereafter, in 2010, Sony Pictures selected Garfield to star as Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). The demands of leading a multi-hundred-million-dollar studio franchise required Garfield to relocate for long shooting schedules and transition into independent housing arrangements, effectively bringing his era of shared communal living to an end.
Career Progression Timeline
- 2008: Shared LA Flatshare & Group Auditions
- 2008: Pattinson cast in 'Twilight'
- 2009: Garfield cast in 'The Social Network'
- 2010: Garfield cast as Spider-Man / Household Transitions to Solo Living
- 2012–Present: Widespread Award Recognition & Global A-List Status
Professional and Personal Legacy of the LA Flatshare
The early years spent sharing space in Los Angeles created enduring bonds among Andrew Garfield, Jamie Dornan, Eddie Redmayne, Charlie Cox, and Robert Pattinson. Decades later, members of the group frequently reflect on that period as a foundational phase of their lives and careers.
Sustained Industry Friendships
Unlike many temporary living situations formed out of convenience, the friendships forged in that West Hollywood house have endured across decades of high-profile film careers:
- Public Support at Industry Events: The actors are regularly photographed reuniting on red carpets, award shows, and film festivals, frequently speaking warmly of their shared history during panel interviews.
- Mutual Respect and Advice: Members of the group have noted that having friends who experienced the transition from obscurity to global fame at the exact same time provided a crucial sanity check, helping them navigate the pressures of Hollywood celebrity.
Creative Lessons for Aspiring Actors
The story of Andrew Garfield’s shared living arrangement offers practical insights for emerging creatives navigating expensive entertainment hubs:
- Community Over Isolation: Relocating to a major industry hub like Los Angeles or London can be isolating. Building an authentic community of peers provides essential emotional resilience against professional rejection.
- Resource Sharing Lowers Barriers to Entry: High rent costs often force artists to take non-creative jobs that limit their ability to attend last-minute auditions. By sharing housing, food, and transportation, actors can lower their overhead costs and dedicate more time to their craft.
- Peer Collaboration Enhances Audition Performance: Practicing scenes with committed, talented peers sharpens technical skills faster than working in isolation. The informal feedback Garfield and his flatmates provided one another directly contributed to their preparedness during high-pressure auditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Andrew Garfield officially own a house with Eddie Redmayne and Jamie Dornan?
No. Andrew Garfield did not own property with Eddie Redmayne or Jamie Dornan. During the late 2000s, Dornan and Redmayne were the primary leaseholders renting a residential home in West Hollywood, while Garfield, Robert Pattinson, and Charlie Cox regularly lived, stayed, and shared expenses with them as co-habitants and close friends.
What years did Andrew Garfield live in the shared Los Angeles house?
The peak period of their shared living arrangement occurred between 2008 and 2010. By late 2010, as Garfield landed lead roles in The Social Network and The Amazing Spider-Man, and his flatmates secured major projects of their own, the group transitioned out of communal living into independent housing.
Why did so many British actors live together in Los Angeles during that period?
British actors traveling to Los Angeles for pilot season faced steep short-term rental costs, vehicle rental fees, and uncertain income. Combining financial resources in a shared house allowed them to afford living near casting offices in West Hollywood while offering a familiar support system far from home.
Are Andrew Garfield and his former LA housemates still close?
Yes. Garfield, Dornan, Redmayne, Pattinson, and Cox have repeatedly confirmed in press interviews that they remain close friends. They frequently reunite at industry awards ceremonies, support each other's film premieres, and speak candidly about their shared early struggles in Hollywood.
Practical Guidance for Navigating Shared Creative Living
For actors, writers, and filmmakers planning a transition to major industry hubs like Los Angeles, the model used by Andrew Garfield and his peers remains highly relevant:
- Establish Clear Financial Agreements: If co-renting with fellow artists, ensure master lease obligations, utility division, and house rules regarding guests are agreed upon in writing beforehand.
- Create a Collaborative Environment: Treat shared living quarters as a safe rehearsal space. Utilize housemates for table reads, self-tapes, and constructive scene work.
- Keep Expenses Low to Retain Flexibility: Prioritize low living expenses over luxury accommodations during the initial years of your career. Minimizing monthly burn rates provides the financial flexibility required to attend daytime auditions and work on independent creative projects.
