Jim Broadbent: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Jim Broadbent

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

It happens all the time, but childhood holidays on the North Norfolk coast were a kind of bliss.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2018 source ↗

Others on this question

Shirley Hughes English illustrator and author

Wandering around with my sketchbook in some lovely Italian town.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 January 2012 source ↗

Recently, as people began to understand what I am trying to do in my painting.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Bonnie Raitt Singer and guitarist

As a kid, my summers at camp in the Adirondacks. And as an adult, when I’m onstage.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2022 source ↗

Simone Biles United States artistic gymnast

The Olympics: all my dreams came true in one place.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 February 2017 source ↗

Their humor and that they are smarter than I, but not by too much.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 26 January 2018 source ↗

The Obamas are impressive.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2018 source ↗

Weeping with laughter.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 26 January 2018 source ↗

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