Gary Valentine follows in the footsteps of a long line of Paul Thomas Anderson's specific brand of leading men. Gary's eccentric, charismatic, a touch egocentric, a born money maker, and in love. However, unlike other PTA creations like "Boogie Nights" hero Dirk Diggler, Gary Valentine was inspired by one of Anderson's real-life friends: Gary Goetzman.
In reality, Goetzman is a former child actor turned movie producer and co-founder of Tom Hanks' production company, Playtone. In his adult career, Goetzman helped back '90s and 2000s hits like "Philadelphia," "Silence of the Lambs," and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." In an interview with Vanity Fair, Anderson told the publication his "source material was all these stranger-than-fiction stories Gary had told me over the years." Goetzman, like Anderson, also grew up in the Valley and was around the entertainment industry from a young age.
Plus, some of Gary's more unbelievable acts in the film are based in reality. For example, a feature in GQ confirmed Goetzman actually owned a waterbed business and a pinball palace in his teens. All this rich detail and stranger-than-fiction storytelling winds up on-screen. Inspiration for any artist can be hard to find, but with a friend like Goetzman around, it's no wonder Anderson felt he had to make this movie.
