Stockard Channing: ‘I cried at the election of Joe Biden, thinking we were out of the woods. Wrong!’

Born in New York City, Stockard Channing, 82, played Rizzo in the 1978 film Grease. In 1985, she received a Tony for her performance in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, and in 1994 was Oscar-nominated for her role in the film Six Degrees of Separation. She has three Emmys for her TV work, which includes The West Wing. She makes her directorial debut at the Edinburgh festival with Krapp’s Last Tape, in aid of the Wembley to Soweto Foundation, Upstairs at the Roxy until 31 August. Her latest film is Practical Magic 2. She lives in London.

What is your greatest fear?
Climate change.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Pedantry.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Ignorance.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Fifteen years ago, I totally forgot my lines on stage and was mortified. We skipped two pages of dialogue and took three minutes off the play – to the delight of the audience!

What makes you unhappy?
The loss of moral compass.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
A vibrant political culture.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Miriam Margolyes.

What scares you about getting older?
I’m over that.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A dress designer.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
“Let’s face it, you’re not Ingrid Bergman.” I was 19 and he was a potential boyfriend. My only thought at the time was: “I’m not?”

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My nose.

What do you owe your parents?
An apology.

What does love feel like?
Coming home.

Which living person do you most despise?
Guess …

When did you last cry and why?
At the election of Joe Biden, thinking we were out of the woods. Wrong.

What has been your biggest disappointment?
Not keeping off the last 5lbs.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
Miriam Margolyes.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Still working.

What keeps you awake at night?
Insomnia.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Money – so I could give it away.

How would you like to be remembered?
Accurately.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Don’t answer every question you’re asked.

What happens when we die?
God knows.

Tell us a joke
A man goes to the doctor and takes off his hat to reveal a huge toad on the top of his head. “When did you notice that?” asked the doctor. And the toad answers: “It began as a boil on my ass.”