March 10, 2010, by
Jeff Garlin was devouring a Krispy Kreme donut once and a bee flew into his mouth and stung him.
“To me,” he said in a phone interview last week, “it was a sign.”
That was one of many amusing anecdotes in the actor’s new book “My Footprint.” In the book, the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star and executive producer admits to being addicted to food and in diary form, showed how easy it was for him to break his diet, be it chocolate chip Clif Bars or donuts or pizza.
Indeed, he is still a work in progress, having lost a few pounds but not near his ideal weight. The book also chronicles his efforts to be “green,” which included two weeks ditching his car and riding the bus — in Los Angeles.
Garlin has been on a heavy media push, hitting TV talk shows and doing interviews galore. He’ll be in Atlanta for a book signing at A Cappella Books Friday, followed by two stand-up shows at 14th Street Playhouse, then a talk at the Marcus Jewish Community Center Saturday evening.
I caught him near the end of a busy promo day and he sounded a bit tired and distracted.
Q: How did this book come about combining your weight issues with “green” issues?
A: It wasn’t that contrived. I always wanted to lose weight. I’ve also cared about the environment. I had come out of the theater seeing “WALL-E” for the tenth time. I was going through what my character in the movie was going through. [He voiced an obese captain of the ship.] He has to change the world and make it greener.
Q: You say in the book you’re addicted to food but cut out processed sugar about a year ago. You also wrote the lack of sugar made you irritable.
A: Definitely. I was beyond irritable. I was a grumpy [expletive.] It lasted about a month. Then I was back to normal. And I’m an addict because if I eat a donut again, it’s over. I’m like an alcoholic taking that next drink.
Q: Who do you think will buy the book besides your biggest fans?
A: I have no idea who’s going to buy the book. I don’t have a goal of inspiring people or anyone learning anything. I just hope everybody who does buy it enjoys it and not feel ripped off.
Q: You’ve said you’re in the 260 range, down from 320 at your worst. What would you like to be?
A: 220-240. I don’t pay attention really to my weight specifically. I don’t even weigh myself. I’m all about getting rid of fat. I want muscle mass. As long as my clothes keeps getting bigger on me, that’s a good thing.
What was it like riding a bus in Los Angeles?
A: Nobody recognized me. In New York or Chicago, people sometimes do. People who are on a bus in Los Angeles don’t have HBO either. Los Angeles is obviously not very friendly if you don’t have a car. It took me two and a half hours to get to the studio by taking four buses. That’s four times longer than if I had driven.
If You Go
Jeff Garlin
March 12, 6 p.m., free. A Cappella Books, 484-C Moreland Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-681-5128.
March 12, 8 p.m., 10 p.m. $35. 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th St., Atlanta www.woodruffcentertickets.org.
March 13, 8:30 p.m $15 members, $22 non-members. Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody, 678-812-4002, www.atlantajcc.org.
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