Identity & self

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

195 answers answered between 1930 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

Originally asked

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

This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.

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On the record

Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Shinya Yamanaka Stem cell biologist; Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, 2012
I was born in Osaka, Japan. It was 45 years ago. My father has a small factory in Osaka, and we lived next to his factory
Recorded Academy of Achievement interviewer, Academy of Achievement interview, 2008 source ↗
Ashley Jensen Scottish actress and narrator
I did want to be an actor from an early age although I briefly dabbled with the idea of being a vet until I realised you had to stick your hand up a cow’s arse.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 October 2017 source ↗
Warwick Davis English actor
I didn’t have a chance to want to be anything – I became an actor at 11.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 November 2017 source ↗
Chris Hoy British track cyclist, 1994–2013
Scotland’s rugby captain. My hero Gavin Hastings was captain when he came to our school for a training session when I was 10 or 11. I met him and was blown away.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2018 source ↗
Emilia Fox English actress and presenter
A cellist, inspired by my mum and dad’s friendship with Jacqueline du Pré, and seeing a documentary about her.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 October 2018 source ↗
Sue Perkins British actress, singer, writer and comedian
An eye surgeon. I had an operation on my cornea when I was little, and remember being deeply enamoured with the team who looked after me. Subsequently, I was very disappointed to learn that a degree of scientific aptitude was required for the job, which ruled me out.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 October 2018 source ↗
Rose McGowan American actress and activist
A mortician – I worked in a funeral home when I was 14.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 December 2018 source ↗
Martin Freeman English actor
I wanted to be a footballer and then a squash player – I was in with a chance because I was very good. But I fell out of love with that by 14 or 15 and joined a youth theatre.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 January 2019 source ↗
Melissa McCarthy American actress
I wanted to make women’s clothing. I also said that I wanted to be an artist; I don’t think I ever said I wanted to be an actress, but I remember thinking that would be fun.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 January 2019 source ↗
Mathew Horne English actor
I wanted to be a prosthetic makeup artist after watching A Nightmare On Elm Street.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2019 source ↗

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