Chris Rock: What does happiness look like for you when life is going well?

The question

What does happiness look like for you when life is going well?

Originally asked

Vanity Fair, to its interview subject, The Proust Questionnaire

Verbatim recurring item in Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire; two publisher-hosted respondent pages establish institutional recurrence.

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

Chris Rock

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Just a lazy day roaming New York with my daughters—La Esquina for lunch and Mister Softee for dessert.

The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 29 January 2016 source ↗

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Carol Burnett

Being at home, watching a good movie with my husband. Dining out with good friends.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2020 source ↗

Keith McNally

Taking an overnight train in Europe.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 20 January 2026 source ↗

Lauren Bacall

Waking up in the morning.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 April 2004 source ↗

Helena Bonham Carter Actor

In my bed, a hot-water bottle on my tummy, the windows are open, reading a book that I’m already into, chocolate at hand, all with the knowledge that everyone I love and know is happy.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 28 April 2020 source ↗

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

I hate rich people that feel a need to tell you how hard they had it (“We had the smallest pool on the block”). And I hate poor people that feel a need to puff up their bios so they can better fit in with the rich—you meet a lot of Talented Mr. Ripleys in showbiz.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2016 source ↗

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

Barack Obama—just the balls to think he could be president is gangster. People forget that, when he first announced he was running, most black people were for Hillary Clinton. The only person that was laughed at more for a crazy idea was Noah.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2016 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I have a child-like fear of being late. I’m a grown man, and I’m scared I’m going to the principal’s office.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2016 source ↗

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

August 16, 1985. My dad took me and my brothers Andre and Tony to see the Fresh Fest at the Nassau Coliseum, on Long Island. We saw Whodini, the Fat Boys, and Grandmaster Flash. Greatest day of my life. The births of my children were big days, too, but billions of people have children—only 15,000 people saw that show.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, January 2016 source ↗

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