Ben Stiller: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

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

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.

Ben Stiller

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Probably as a small child in a pool in my mother’s arms.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2025 source ↗

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Marilyn Manson American musician

About 15 minutes ago: I'm on medication and it's starting to wear off.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2009 source ↗

Alison Steadman British actress

When my son was born and I realised I was a mum.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2009 source ↗

Zoë Heller English journalist and novelist

Sending off the final draft of my latest novel.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 November 2008 source ↗

Anna Paquin New Zealand actress

I don’t think there’s a single moment. Every day that you wake up and your family is healthy and OK is a daily gratitude and happiness for me.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 July 2019 source ↗

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Self-importance.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2025 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

Being in process on a creative project I love.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 17 January 2025 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

Filippo Grandi, United Nations Refugee Agency high commissioner.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2025 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Losing my mind.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2025 source ↗

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