Page "Magnolia (film)" Paragraph 54

Anderson wrote the role of Earl Partridge for Jason Robards but he was initially unable to do it because of a serious staph infection.

Anderson approached George C. Scott, who turned him down.

Eventually, Robards was able to do the film.

Robards said of his character, " It was sort of prophetic that I be asked to play a guy going out in life.

It was just so right for me to do this and bring what I know to it ".

According to Hall, much of the material with Partridge was based on Anderson watching his father die of cancer.