- "This Is Us" creator Dan Fogelman says he once met George R.R. Martin after a Broadway show.
- Well, his friend Alex Hanan, a big "Game of Thrones" fan, actually met Martin before the show and got his number
- That's how Hanan, Fogleman, Martin, and his wife Parris McBride all ended up eating pizza together that night.
- Martin didn't know, but Hanan was living with stage 4 lung cancer at the time. He died a year later.
- In a now-viral Twitter thread, Fogleman detailed this chance meeting — and how important it was to Hanan.
It's a story of "This Is Us" proportions.
In a viral thread shared on Twitter Sunday, Dan Fogelman, the creator and writer of "This Is Us" detailed how he once met "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin after a Broadway play — and the story has an emotional twist.
As Fogelman tells it, he and his friend Alex Hanan were going to see "Springsteen on Broadway" about a year ago. Hanan got there early and called Fogelman from outside the theater, he explained on Twitter.
Over a year ago a close buddy and I get to see Springsteen’s Broadway show. It’s a big deal for us. My buddy, Alex, gets there super early, because he’s excited, and calls me as I’m in a cab heading there.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
He’s talking a mile a minute. While waiting outside the theater, he has spotted George R. Martin. He says he’s going to go talk to him. I beg him not to. He hangs up on me.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
"He's talking a mile a minute," Fogelman wrote. "While waiting outside the theater, he has spotted George R. Martin. He says he's going to go talk to him. I beg him not to. He hangs up on me."
Hanan, who Fogelman described as "larger than life" and "charming as hell," did not listen. Also? He's a huge "Game of Thrones" fan.
Now, a bit about Alex. He is larger than life. Handsome and charming as hell, with the best head of hair you’ve ever seen. He’s also obsessed w Game of Thrones like no one you’ve ever known. And he never listens to anyone so I just KNOW he’s going to go accost George R. Martin.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
"I arrive at the theater," Fogelman writes. "Alex is waiting, bursting with energy as always. He tells me he approached George. Got a picture. And, somehow — miraculously — got George R Martin's cell phone number. George was with his wife and told Alex they usually go for pizza after a show."
I arrive at the theater. Alex is waiting, bursting with energy as always. He tells me he approached George. Got a picture. And, somehow - miraculously - got George R Martin’s cell phone number. George was with his wife and told Alex they usually go for pizza after a show.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
Alex says to him: “maybe we will join you.” Alex and I chuckle at his chutzpah.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
And even though Fogelman is hesitant, uncomfortable even, Hanan texts Martin. After the show, Hanan, Fogleman, Martin, and his wife Parris McBride end up "at a local pizza joint."
We see Springsteen. The entire show Alex is debating when to text George. I beg him to let it go. I know George will never reply and Alex will he disappointed.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
The Springsteen show ends. It’s amazing. Alex, as I knew he would, immediately texts George. And to my absolute shock... George R Martin writes Alex back! He tells us to meet them at a local pizza joint.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
Alex and I go. I’m convinced it’s going to end badly. A weird miscommunication. We are going to get ghosted. At least it will be a funny story. And then...
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
George and his lovely wife arrive.
"We eat pizza for an hour or two. George and I talk shop. Alex tries to play it cool, only makes a few nerdy "Thrones" references. At meal's end, George gives Alex a Westeros coin. Alex reacts stronger than is appropriate for a 40-something man," Fogelman writes. "We all part ways. Alex is giddy."
We eat pizza for an hour or two. George and I talk shop. Alex tries to play it cool, only makes a few nerdy Thrones references. At meal’s end, George gives Alex a Westeros coin. Alex reacts stronger than is appropriate for a 40-something man.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
We all part ways. Alex is giddy.
Then comes the "This Is Us" twist.
"Here's what George R Martin didn't know that night. My handsome, well-haired, larger than life pal Alex is battling a random case of stage 4 lung cancer," he wrote. "He will pass away a year later."
Here’s what George R Martin didn’t know that night. My handsome, well-haired, larger than life pal Alex is battling a random case of stage 4 lung cancer. He will pass away a year later. I will dedicate then S3 premiere of This Is Us to him.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
Fogelman continued, saying that this final season of "Game of Thrones" would be difficult to watch without his friend. As "This Is Us" fans might recall, the first episode of season 3 was dedicated to Hanan.
But for that entire year, Alex never stops talking about his night with his hero. And, in turn, I will never stop telling that story. Or, bigger picture: Alex’s story.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
For our friends, watching this season’s GOT will be bittersweet without Alex texting us annoying spoilers.
But it will also be a reminder of our friend, who we miss terribly. And for me; not just a reminder of the power of storytelling. But also also a reminder of the importance of kindness (for no other reason than being kind) these days.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
But it will also be a reminder of our friend, who we miss terribly. And for me; not just a reminder of the power of storytelling. But also also a reminder of the importance of kindness (for no other reason than being kind) these days.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
Our friend, Alex Hanan, is watching TV tonight from above. Spoiling every single reveal for everyone up there, driving everyone nuts.
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 14, 2019
Thank you George R Martin for making what would turn out to be Alex’s last year.
And thanks to all involved for making his favorite show.
"For our friends, watching this season's GOT will be bittersweet without Alex texting us annoying spoilers," he wrote. "But it will also be a reminder of our friend, who we miss terribly. And for me; not just a reminder of the power of storytelling. But also also a reminder of the importance of kindness (for no other reason than being kind) these days."
Later, Fogelman retweeted a picture of Martin and Hanan.
Alex with George R.R. Martin! #GameOfThroneshttps://t.co/emUEAisS6J
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) April 15, 2019
Many were touched by the thread.
Dammit. I didn’t expect tears. #GOT
— #SAVEODAAT (@InesD) April 15, 2019
— Swapnil Kumar (@Swapsicles) April 15, 2019
This is an Alex story not a George R. Martin story. Thanks for sharing it.
— Hilary Fussell Sisco (@hfsisco) April 15, 2019
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Your story brought me to tears but also warmed my heart so. What a wonderful story about the power of kindness. #GameOfThrones
— Nicole (@nurchy78) April 15, 2019
What a lovely story ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OciLMeKecC
— Holly Lyn Walrath (@HollyLynWalrath) April 15, 2019
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