Which living person do you most admire, and why?

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.

Recorded Armistead Maupin said elsewhere, not written here
My friend Ian McKellen, who has an extraordinary record as an actor and a gay activist.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 August 2019 source ↗

Others on this question

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John Lewis U.S. Representative from Georgia, 1987–2020; Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee 1963–1966
Barack Obama, because he believed he could be president of the United States, and he succeeded. He was kind, and he tried to set a high standard of leadership.
Recorded Vanity Fair, Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 6 December 2019 source ↗
John McCarthy, the journalist who was held captive for five years in Beirut. I’ve met him and he was so full of peace, humility and forgiveness – it was inspiring.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 September 2025 source ↗
Kirsty Wark Scottish journalist and television presenter
People in their 80s who are still volunteering and giving to the community.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 December 2010 source ↗
Angus Deayton English actor, comedian, presenter and writer
Sir Alex Ferguson is the most impressive person I’ve met in terms of charisma and achievement.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 August 2016 source ↗

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Eugene Levy, Daniel Clowes, Mary Berry, Carrie Fisher, Patti Smith, Jennifer Egan

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