FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SIR ROGER MOORE
What are you working on at the moment?
Selling my new book, Last Man Standing, and preparing for a UK theatre tour with my one-man show. It’s all tightly scripted and I’m deep in rehearsals, polishing up all my lines, such as, ‘The name’s Bond, James...’ Drat! I’ve forgotten it.
When are you at your happiest?
I’m happy all the time and I am very grateful for my lot in life.
What is your greatest fear?
Not being happy.
What is your earliest memory?
I remember seeing my face in a mirror, aged about three, and thinking how fat it looked. The doctor was called out and told my mum and dad that I had mumps.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
My modesty. It’s a terrible trait, I know, but when one is born with talent, good luck, charm and sophistication, one can’t help but be modest about it and not boast.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Life itself. I’ve lived, learned and would like to think I have become wiser for it.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wife, Kristina. We’re together all day, every day and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Meanness: not just financial, but in everyday life. I’ve worked with some actors who constantly try to upstage their co-stars. I feel it’s so unnecessary and self-serving. It’s far easier to be nice.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My disappearing hair. I contracted pneumonia a couple of years ago and the strong mix of antibiotics did wonders for my recovery but ever since, my follicles have thinned at a pace.
What is your favourite book?
Last Man Standing... I forget who wrote it, but I believe it’s a very good read about stars and friends in Hollywood and Pinewood.
And your favourite film?
Lawrence Of Arabia. It’s unbeatable in every respect and thoroughly depressed me after seeing it, as I knew I could never be in anything that brilliant.
What is your favourite piece of music?
The Quartet from Rigoletto.
And your favourite meal?
Since being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, almost everything and anything I’m allowed!
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Any of my doctors. The conversation would revolve around my favourite subject: my ailments.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
‘You’re fired!’ First at MGM in the 1950s, closely followed by Warner Bros in the 1960s.
Do you believe in aliens?
I’m open to the idea.
What is your secret vice?
Dark chocolate. I eat the diabetic kind, and can’t get enough – but my wife very sensibly rations me.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Always. I was brought up to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and think it only good manners. Though emails will suffice equally well in this day of technology.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Älskling’ – it’s Swedish for ‘darling’ (my wife is Swedish, you know). I’m forever calling out to her from my study.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I’m fully content, thank you.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you.
My life is an open book! I’ve no secrets nor hidden revelations.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Here lies Roger Moore, bestselling author of Last Man Standing’.
Last Man Standing: Tales From Tinseltown, by Roger Moore (Michael O’Mara Books, £20). An Evening With Sir Roger Moore is on tour from 17 September to 6 October: www.atgtickets.com
Selling my new book, Last Man Standing, and preparing for a UK theatre tour with my one-man show. It’s all tightly scripted and I’m deep in rehearsals, polishing up all my lines, such as, ‘The name’s Bond, James...’ Drat! I’ve forgotten it.
When are you at your happiest?
I’m happy all the time and I am very grateful for my lot in life.
What is your greatest fear?
Not being happy.
What is your earliest memory?
I remember seeing my face in a mirror, aged about three, and thinking how fat it looked. The doctor was called out and told my mum and dad that I had mumps.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
My modesty. It’s a terrible trait, I know, but when one is born with talent, good luck, charm and sophistication, one can’t help but be modest about it and not boast.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Life itself. I’ve lived, learned and would like to think I have become wiser for it.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wife, Kristina. We’re together all day, every day and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Meanness: not just financial, but in everyday life. I’ve worked with some actors who constantly try to upstage their co-stars. I feel it’s so unnecessary and self-serving. It’s far easier to be nice.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My disappearing hair. I contracted pneumonia a couple of years ago and the strong mix of antibiotics did wonders for my recovery but ever since, my follicles have thinned at a pace.
What is your favourite book?
Last Man Standing... I forget who wrote it, but I believe it’s a very good read about stars and friends in Hollywood and Pinewood.
And your favourite film?
Lawrence Of Arabia. It’s unbeatable in every respect and thoroughly depressed me after seeing it, as I knew I could never be in anything that brilliant.
What is your favourite piece of music?
The Quartet from Rigoletto.
And your favourite meal?
Since being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, almost everything and anything I’m allowed!
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Any of my doctors. The conversation would revolve around my favourite subject: my ailments.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
‘You’re fired!’ First at MGM in the 1950s, closely followed by Warner Bros in the 1960s.
Do you believe in aliens?
I’m open to the idea.
What is your secret vice?
Dark chocolate. I eat the diabetic kind, and can’t get enough – but my wife very sensibly rations me.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Always. I was brought up to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and think it only good manners. Though emails will suffice equally well in this day of technology.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Älskling’ – it’s Swedish for ‘darling’ (my wife is Swedish, you know). I’m forever calling out to her from my study.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I’m fully content, thank you.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you.
My life is an open book! I’ve no secrets nor hidden revelations.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Here lies Roger Moore, bestselling author of Last Man Standing’.
Last Man Standing: Tales From Tinseltown, by Roger Moore (Michael O’Mara Books, £20). An Evening With Sir Roger Moore is on tour from 17 September to 6 October: www.atgtickets.com