George Takei: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

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

George Takei

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Pope Francis, who left the Vatican to wash the feet of non-believers.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2015 source ↗

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Person Pope Francis not yet on FLAPSS
Place the Vatican

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Willem Dafoe Actor

Bob Dylan: his great gift as a poet and musician, his long, incorruptible career—and he continues to tour constantly.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2014 source ↗

David Gandy British model

David Attenborough. Not only has he taught us so much, but he’s also brought so much happiness to so many people.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 April 2020 source ↗

Enrique Iglesias Spanish singer

Elvira, the lady that took care of me when my parents weren't able to be there. She dedicated her whole life to me and my brother and my sister. Now I take care of her.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 August 2010 source ↗

Ruth Jones Welsh actress, producer, and writer

My mother, Hannah: nearly 82, mother of four, homemaker, retired GP and knitter extraordinaire.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 November 2018 source ↗

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Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

As someone who loved the ideals of American democracy and made my small contribution to it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

As a teenager I told my father, “You led us into the camp like sheep to slaughter.” I knew I had hurt him, this man that I loved so much. That’s haunted me all my life.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

When Brad and I got married. We had to struggle for it. It involved a nationwide speaking tour, lobbying Congress and campaigning intensely. We were the first couple to get our marriage licence in West Hollywood.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

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

Impatience and temper. Enough already!

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2015 source ↗

Question What song would you want played at your funeral? Death & what remains

Barbra Streisand’s Evergreen from A Star Is Born or You’ll Never Walk Alone from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

There’s no point living at my age with many ingrained great fears. Though I do have that dream that I walk out onto the stage nude. Does that count?

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2015 source ↗

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David Hasselhoff, Vicky McClure, Suzi Quatro, Desmond Tutu, Ray Mears, Jackie Chan

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