The 5-Minute Interview: Billy Zane, Actor

'I'm old enough to know better, but still young enough not to care'

Billy Zane, 40, stars with Claire Bloom in 'Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks'. Previews begin today and the show opens to the public on 29 November at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. It is his London stage debut

I wish people would take more notice of...

Homeless families. It's absurd that such wealthy nations pour billions overseas when their families are living on the streets. It's crazy.

The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was...

Every day is a surprise. There are confirmations of an interconnectivity and synchronicity which inspire, titillate and confirm the inherent comedy of the universe.

I'm good at ...

Frisbee.

But I'm very bad at...

Pool.

A common misperception of me is...

That I'm as icy as my characters.

I'm not a politician but...

I'd hopefully remind our constituency that democracy is not a spectator sport. It is a government of, for and by the people.

The ideal night out is...

I haven't been going out much. My best evenings are at home with my lady.

In moments of weakness I...

Have a bowl of cereal.

You know me as an actor, but in a truer life I'd have been a...

Painter. I paint abstract expressions. And [I like] sculpture with broken pieces of Greek ships.

The best age to be is...

I'm enjoying 40. Old enough to know better, young enough not to care.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"Could you hold on one minute?"

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Dig and be dug.

Elisa Bray