The actress, who’ll next appear in Netflix’s The Politician and Amazon’s Transparent, on activism and sweets!
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Having the opportunity to contribute and serve. What is your greatest fear? Fear. What historical figure do you most identify with? Anyone who has worked to make a difference in the world. Which living person do you most admire? Bryan Stevenson. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself ? I dislike my impatience. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Bigotry and cruelty in any form. What is your greatest extravagance? Ice cream—particularly Vivoli gelato in Florence and Van Leeuwen vegan ice cream in New York City. What is your favorite journey? The one I am on now: living in curiosity and wonder, risk-taking, and deep connection to others. What do you consider the most
overrated virtue? Trying to make everyone happy. On what occasion do you lie? I lie responsibly when there is the need to be kind. What do you dislike most about your appearance? The wings beneath my arms. What is your greatest regret? I do my best to live in the present. Regret is always in the past. Who or what is the greatest love of your life? My husband and my work. When and where were you happiest? Anywhere in New York City, with my husband in our garden in L.A., and wherever I get to work. Which talent would you most like to have? Speaking multiple languages fluently. What is your cur- rent state of mind? Deeply concerned for our country, our freedom, our safety, our environment, and what we leave to the next generations. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Don’t save every- thing—throw out more stuff! What would you consider your greatest achievement? Thirty-eight years of mar- riage, and advocacy for HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ com- munity. If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? I’ll let the universe handle that. Evolution is continually surprising me. What is your most treasured possession? The first ring my husband gave me and the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Futility. Where would you like to live? Where I do, between New York City and Los Angeles; would add Europe. What is your favorite occupation? Working on a character and producing powerful stories. What is your most marked characteristic? Perseverance, resilience, discipline, and commitment to uncovering the truth. What is the quality you most like in a person? Integrity, gentility, listening, respectfulness, truthfulness, self- awareness, kindness, generosity of spirit, humility, empa- thy, grace, and compassion. What do you most value in your friends? Humor, fun, connection, trust. Who are your favorite writers? My husband, Robert Desiderio; Anton Chekhov; Tennessee Williams; Eugene O’Neill; William Shakespeare; Paul Monette; Maya Angelou; Oliver Sacks; Alice Hoffman; Edna St. Vincent Millay; Søren Kierkegaard. Who are your heroes in real life? Elizabeth Taylor, Helen Keller, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Eleanor Roosevelt, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Stephen Hawking, Buckminster Fuller, Ella Baker, the LGBTQ+ community. What is it that you most dislike? Lying, worry, undermining, lack of empathy. How would you like to die? Peacefully.