Damian Lewis answered Vanity Fair‘s famous “Proust Questionnaire” in March 2017 after he wrapped Billions Season 2 and before he returned to London stage in Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?
So here we go!
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Party, good friends, lots of dancing.
What is your greatest fear? Losing my memory.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? Henry VIII.
Which living person do you most admire? Sohana Collins. A little girl I know who’s extremely brave.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Forgetfulness.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Selfishness. People who block junctions in their car.
What is your greatest extravagance? Ice-cream sundaes with extra cream.
What is your favorite journey? The journey out of myself.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Principles.
On what occasion do you lie? When I’m double-booked.
What do you dislike most about your appearance? My smile.
Which living person do you most despise? Bashar al-Assad.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “I don’t know.”
What is your greatest regret? A missed forehand volley at the Dorking Tennis Tournament. I was 12.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My wife.
When and where were you happiest? Driving golf balls into the cricket pavilion on summer evenings in my pajamas.
Which talent would you most like to have? To be a brilliant painter.
What is your current state of mind? Heavy.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Laugh more.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Nothing. The chaos is perfect.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My marriage.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? An orangutan.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A person who could stretch time.
What is your most treasured possession? My Swiss Army penknife.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Homelessness.
Where would you like to live? Where I am.
What is your favorite occupation? Playing soccer.
What is your most marked characteristic? Repeating myself.
What is the quality you most like in a man? The ability to build things.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Warmth.
What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty.
Who are your favorite writers? Hemingway, Wodehouse, García Márquez, Bulgakov.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Raskolnikov.
Who are your heroes in real life? Good teachers.
What are your favorite names? Helen, Manon, Gulliver.
What is it that you most dislike? Grits.
How would you like to die? Surrounded by those I love.
What is your motto? “Have faith and leap.”
Oh, my goodness, Damianista, one of his favorite writers is…Bulgakov!
I assume he’s one of your favorites, too. It seems Damian loves the classics. And great to hear from you, Delia!
Yeah, of course he is one of my favorites. Do you remember my dream role for Damian ? Exactly one of the greatest Bulgakov’s characters.
And I missed you, Damianista !
OMG yes of course!!! We’ve finally kicked off our Dream Role project (again!) this week. So stay tuned for your dream role story coming up in the next few weeks! <3 Don't be a stranger, I missed you, too and hope all is well <3
I saw already the first article and I’m ready ! Everything is fine, thank you, Damianista. I think I will send you an email soon. Warm embrace.
Please do. Big hugs <3