Is ‘Licorice Pizza’ Based on a True Story? The History Behind Paul Thomas Anderson’s New Film
Spoiler warning: This article contains some plot details from “Licorice Pizza.” Cooper Hoffman’s character is modeled on Gary Goetzman, a friend of Paul Thomas Anderson and the co-founder of Tom Hanks’ production company, Playtone. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Goetzman’s stories from his days as a child actor and waterbed salesman made their way into the film, Anderson told Variety.Goetzman even appeared in the film “Yours, Mine and Ours” with Lucille Ball and was chaperoned by a local burlesque dancer at the New York press tour.