Q&A: Ethan Hawke, actor

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/apr/04/ethan-hawke-q-and-a

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Born in Texas, Ethan Hawke, 44, appeared in Dead Poets Society in 1989. Other films include Training Day, Reality Bites, Boyhood and the Before Sunrise trilogy; Good Kill, his latest, is out on 10 April. He has two children with Uma Thurman, and two with his second wife, Ryan Shawhughes. He lives in New York.

When were you happiest? Now. It would be corny if I say why.

What is your greatest fear? I don’t want to die.

What is your earliest memory? My father gave me a red firefighter’s hat when I was three. I loved it.

Which living person do you most admire, and why? Mike Leigh: his work is important.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? A desire to please.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? A desire to please.

What was your most embarrassing moment? I am an actor and I am not easily embarrassed.

Property aside, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought? My kids’ tuition.

What is your most treasured possession? A 1954 Martin guitar.

What is your screensaver? It scrolls pictures of my family.

What would your super power be? Hands on my feet so I can climb trees.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? That people are concerned with it.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose? Sabre-toothed tiger.

Who would play you in the film of your life? Me.

Which book changed your life? John Williams’ Stoner.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? A writer.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you? I would never want to say in public.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Jesus.

What is top of your bucket list? Playing King Lear.

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My wife.

Is it better to give or to receive? They are the same thing.

What is your favourite smell? I can’t say because it would make my wife blush.

What is your favourite word? I can’t say because I have children.

What do you owe your parents? My respect.

What was the best kiss of your life? The first.

Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it? No.

Which living person do you most despise, and why? Anyone who inflicts violence.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Jesus – just because I would like to have dinner with him.

If you could edit your past, what would you change? Too many things to mention.

If you could go back in time, where would you go? There are a couple of girls I’d like to see again.

How do you relax? Playing guitar.

What is the closest you’ve come to death? A stabbing when I was younger; terrible loss of blood due to poor surgery; several almost car crashes and one almost plane crash.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Words like achievement make me want to puke.

What keeps you awake at night? Worrying about my kids.

What song would you like played at your funeral? Townes Van Zandt’s To Live Is To Fly.

How would you like to be remembered? By my children.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Humility.

Where would you most like to be right now? On set with Richard Linklater.

Tell us a joke Jokes aren’t funny.