Brad Garrett’s Shocking Childhood Secret Revealed

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In the series ‘Elio‘, Brad Garrett portrays Lord Grigon, a complex antagonist who may not be as straightforward as he appears. The character encounters the main child character (portrayed by Yonas Kibreab) soon after Elios starts vying for membership in an alien society called the Communiverse—a society where Lord Grigon himself had previously sought admission.

Brad Garrett was interviewed by TopMob in an exclusive chat, and he described his character, Grigon, from Disney Pixar’s film Elio, as being similar to “the overly-aggressive spectator at every Little League game who constantly argues with the umpire, berates his child, and shouts at other players.

Garrett confessed, “I wore that armor for a significant part of my childhood,” implying that just as the character’s physical form is shielded by an impenetrable suit, Garrett found himself encased in a metaphorical shell during his youth. He went on to say that if individuals fail to address certain issues throughout their lives, they may harden and use this protective layer to exact vengeance upon others.

The movie titled “Elio” is set to be released in theatres on June 20th. This film incorporates unexpected elements that lean towards the horror genre within its narrative.

The Deeper Meaning Behind Lord Grigon’s Hard Shell

“I Had That Shell a Great Part During my Childhood.”

  • TopMob: “Lord Grigon quite literally has a hard shell around him at all times, shielding himself from kind of revealing that more sensitive and fragile side, which is a thematic through line for his entire people. Knowing that, how did you incorporate that element into your performance, and who this guy puts himself on to be?”

Brad Garrett: What an intriguing question you’ve asked! To put it another way, I believe that shell played a significant role in my upbringing. This is why I could empathize with Elio, as I was certainly not part of the popular crowd during my childhood, more like a solitary figure often targeted by bullies. If one doesn’t come to terms with this and understand it later in life, they might turn out to be a Grigon.

In simpler terms, having that shell means you exact revenge on others. You’re someone who behaves unkindly. Essentially, a villain. So, when I observe their interactions, it’s like comparing before and after scenarios. What was remarkable is, Elio managed to guide Grigon towards places he might never have ventured, particularly in the role of a father.

  • TopMob: “I also find it really interesting that Elio is kind of putting on his own metaphorical shell, in, you know, worming his way into these aliens and kind of putting on his own story to get to this place. Despite Grigon being the villain, can you talk about his similarities with Elio, our protagonist, despite them looking completely different, but they’re doing similar things with how they’re hiding things?”

As a movie aficionado, let me share my insights: Characters in films often camouflage their true selves in various ways, don’t they? Some characters portray an aggressive demeanor, making them seemingly impenetrable, while others retreat so deeply within themselves that they become unreachable. It appears to me that these individuals, whether they embody virtue or villainy, are not truly authentic to the person they aspire to be. I believe this is the common thread that binds them – a struggle to find and express their true selves. However, when they manage to discover and embrace their purpose, they harness an extraordinary potential for goodness, which is truly captivating to witness.

  • TopMob: “I thought it was also really intriguing to see how this movie kind of explored the topic of parental and really generational expectations that we put on people and how that affects someone. How would you say Elio explores those themes in a unique and fresh way, and to the perfect audience to receive that message?”

In simpler terms, Garrett compares Grigon to an overly aggressive spectator at a Little League game, constantly arguing with the umpire, his child, and other players. This comparison suggests that, as Elio explores his identity and sense of belonging, he has the ability to point out others’ flaws as part of this self-discovery journey. Grigon, due to his connection with Glordon, provided an ideal situation for this.

The full interview can be viewed here:

As a passionate cinephile, I highly recommend delving deeper into the captivating story of ‘Elio’. To satiate your curiosity about its intriguing evolution, don’t forget to explore TopMob’s enlightening interview with the visionary filmmakers. They offer fascinating insights into how the movie underwent substantial transformations following its initial teaser trailer.

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2025-06-18 20:34