Jean Smart: 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.

Jean Smart

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My wedding day, and when my children were first placed in my arms.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

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Adam Kay British comedy writer, author, youtuber, comedian and former physician

In the one photo I’ve seen where my smile looks convincing – I’m four years old, so I’m guessing then. But I just won a Bafta and that felt amazing, too. So, roughly every 40 years.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Rob Brydon Welsh actor and comedian

As a boy in a tree.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 August 2012 source ↗

Douglas Stuart Scottish fashion designer and novelist

The summer of 1997. My husband, who is an American, gave up everything to come and live with me in Edinburgh when we were students, and we were so skint but we had so much fun.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 April 2023 source ↗

Emeli Sandé British singer

Last night, on stage in New York.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 January 2017 source ↗

More from Jean Smart

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Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Losing a loved one.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

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

When I’m feeling lazy and I sleep in too much.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

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

My kids are in the house. I’ve been gardening in my vegetable garden. I have absolutely zero obligations or calls to return. Now I’m fixing dinner with music playing and having a glass of wine.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 30 May 2024 source ↗

Question Which quality in your friends matters most to you? Relationships

Kindness and laughter. If someone makes me laugh, I’m halfway in love.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 30 May 2024 source ↗

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

Cruelty, and also general rudeness and unkindness. I’ve always told my children: Don’t ever find entertainment in someone else’s discomfort.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

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

Jane Goodall. I got the chance to meet her a few years ago, and it was the thrill of a lifetime. When I was little, I wanted to be her. I thought she had the coolest life in the world.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

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