Daniel Radcliffe Wishes He Played an NBC Page on 30 Rock

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The Maria Bamford Questionnaire is a 25-question survey created by the popular comedian to reveal unexpected insights about the people who take it. This time, it features Daniel Radcliffe, the award-winning actor famous for his role as Harry Potter. You can currently see him as Arthur Tobin in NBC’s The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins and performing in Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway.

1.
What do you like to eat and/or drink right before bed?

I usually eat my biggest meal later in the day. I’m not a great eater, honestly – I tend to eat quickly and enthusiastically, like a kid. Especially after a show, finding something open late is tough, so I often end up with empanadas from Empanada Mama – the cheeseburger and pizza ones are really good. But if I could choose, I’d eat breakfast for dinner – omelets, bacon and eggs, anything like that late at night is perfect for me.

2.
What would your religion be like if you could make up your own?

When it comes to religion, if gods are involved, I’d lean towards something like the ancient Greek model. It seems much more engaging to have flawed, yet compelling gods who inspire great stories. However, if gods aren’t necessary, I’d prefer a religion focused on celebrating the positive aspects of humanity and our potential.

I don’t really believe one person can change the whole world. I think it’s more realistic to focus on improving the lives of those close to you – your family, friends, and community. That’s why I admire religions and beliefs that emphasize helping others nearby through everyday kindness and support, rather than aiming for large-scale, global change.

3.
If you had to be the face of a product, what would you choose?

Everyone always needs things like Neosporin or Band-Aids – practical, useful products. I’d rather work for a small, local company making these kinds of things, if one exists. It bothers me that big corporations often control these everyday essentials, so I’d love to help a family-owned business in this area, if I could find one. It’s hard to imagine anyone actually making Band-Aids by hand these days, but that’s the kind of company I’d want to support.

4.
What’s your most repetitive, long-term fear?

The Yellowstone volcano is a serious threat that many people underestimate. It’s been a long time since it last erupted, and the next one could be catastrophic, potentially impacting a huge portion of the country. I first learned about it in a documentary as a teenager, and it immediately became a bigger fear for me than nuclear war. Geologically speaking, an eruption could happen relatively soon – even within years – but ‘soon’ in geological terms can still mean thousands of years. Either way, we’re living on borrowed time when it comes to Yellowstone.

5.
What just happened in your life?

I just finished the first week of preview performances for a play that’s amazing, though emotionally demanding. It’s technically a one-person show, but the audience is very involved. A common moment is when people worry they need to be witty or clever to participate, but then they realize all they need to do is be kind—and that’s really what drives the whole play. I hope everyone leaves feeling good about themselves, like they’ve done something heroic.

My show isn’t really about roasting people or doing a lot of improv with the audience. I actually studied a bunch of comedians who are amazing at that – I wanted to see how they think. I found videos where they talked about their process, and it was fascinating. One guy, I think it was either Brennan Lee Mulligan or Gianmarco Soresi, talked about truly listening to the audience, being open to whatever they say instead of just searching for the quickest joke. I definitely took some of their advice to heart when preparing my own performance.

6.
What is the last thing you read — labels, Us Weekly, and texts count. Can you give us the gist of what you learned?

I’ve been reading a fascinating book called The Patriarchs by Angela Saini. She’s a brilliant science writer – her previous books, Inferior and Superior, are also excellent. Saini has a gift for taking complex subjects and explaining them in a way that’s both clear and insightful, without oversimplifying. The Patriarchs tackles a big question: why and how did patriarchy develop? As she explores this, the book provides a historical overview of patriarchy, examining its origins and the ideas behind it.

This morning I ran into Alysa Liu and immediately sent a picture of us to our stage managers. We’d been discussing her incredible performance at work, and I just sent the picture with the message, “Guys…” Apparently, the picture took a while to send, and they briefly worried I was going to cancel tonight’s show. The last text I received was a relieved, “Okay, we got the picture, everything’s fine!” They were pretty panicked for a moment there.

7.
What is the last thing you bought used?

I’m not sure exactly what I have, but I do have some older books. I can’t recall the titles, unfortunately. It’s probably one of those rare finds that’s only available as a used copy online, like on Amazon.

8.
Who was the most difficult person to listen to (for you) recently?

I’m happy to hear other people’s thoughts, but I often find myself overthinking my own. After a day of interviews, I tend to replay everything I said in my head. Even if everything is generally fine, my mind will fixate on the most harmless comment. It’s a strange shift going from being ‘on’ for interviews to then performing a show that deals with difficult topics like suicide and depression, especially with audience interaction.

9.
What place will you never return to?

I can’t recall the name, but I stumbled upon this restaurant during a California road trip, shortly after Big Sur. We’d been driving for hours and hadn’t seen a single place to eat. We were starving, and none of us had cell service. When we finally found it, it was the only restaurant for miles. We didn’t realize it was just twenty minutes from a town with other options, so we figured we had to stop. Honestly, it was the worst food I’ve ever tasted. It was something simple, like an omelet, and I thought, ‘How could they mess this up?’ But somehow, they did. They clearly didn’t care about quality because they weren’t worried about repeat customers. I’m usually not picky, but I swore I’d never go back there.

10.
If you were without home or ability to earn, do you have anyone you can turn to for shelter and financial support? For how long?

I’m confident a few friends would offer us a place to stay, maybe even let us live with them long-term. I’ve built some strong friendships where I feel comfortable asking for help if we really needed it. My son is a real sweetheart, and honestly, he makes us more appealing to people. They might even want us to bring him along! We’re good guests – we’d definitely help out around the house and contribute in any way we can.

11.
What TV show or movie would you want to play a part in, and what part would it be?

Looking back, I’d love to have been on 30 Rock – maybe as one of Kenneth’s assistants. Someone gave me the complete series near the end of the Harry Potter films, and I quickly became a huge fan, especially while I was living in New York and doing Equus and How to Succeed. So, the thought of working with that same creative team almost two decades later is really exciting and a fun surprise.

12.
What’s something you’d like to quit — a substance, a habit, etc. — and how would you go about it?

I’m sharing this even though it’s a bit in the past. I recently quit smoking – and I want to recommend a book that helped me, in case anyone else is trying to quit. I smoked heavily for 20 years and never thought I’d stop, but after my son was born, thinking about my own mortality gave me the push I needed. Someone suggested a book to me years ago called The Easy Way to Quit Smoking by Alan Carr, and it really worked for me. It might not be for everyone, but I highly recommend it.

I’m not entirely sure how it worked, but the book felt like it subtly convinced me to change. It started by claiming quitting a habit could be instant, easy, and wouldn’t require any effort. My first thought was that sounded ridiculous, but surprisingly, it actually worked! The book constantly changes how you think about your habit, which is really effective. I highly recommend it to anyone trying to break a habit. If you’re not ready to quit, that’s fine, but if you are, this book is a fantastic tool. It’s easy to dismiss self-help books, but every now and then, one truly makes a difference.

13.
If you could take a brain ride in anyone’s consciousness, whose would it be?

I initially thought of a famous writer or artist, but many of them are likely quite troubled, so exploring their minds might not be ideal. When you mentioned ‘consciousness,’ Timothy Leary immediately came to mind – I imagined what it would be like to experience the world as he did, likely with a lot of psychedelic drugs, which I find a fascinating concept. I’ve never tried LSD myself, so this feels like a way to explore that state of mind vicariously. He certainly seemed to be skilled at altering his consciousness.

Could I maybe focus on an animal instead? I’m really interested in what it’s like to be a relaxed dog, and exploring its consciousness seems like a much better idea. Honestly, I’d prefer not to switch places with a human if I don’t have to.

14.
What is something you regret doing within the past week?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything I did wrong this past week. I’ve been reviewing my messages, just in case I said something regrettable, but everything seems fine. I wouldn’t say I was perfect, but nothing major stands out.

15.
What are you jealous of in a family member?

I admire my son’s ability to fully enjoy the present – something most almost-three-year-olds excel at. When he’s engrossed in something like 101 Dalmatians, coloring, or playing, he’s completely happy and focused on that very moment. It’s amazing to watch. Being a parent is strange in that your child helps you become more present yourself, but at the same time, you find yourself worrying about their future, even things that are decades away. You start thinking about their whole life ahead of them.

16.
How many colors has your hair been?

I think I’ve dyed my hair three times. I went black for a couple of projects, and when I was a kid – around seven or eight – I dressed up as Keith Flint from The Prodigy for a costume party. I styled my hair into spikes and sprayed it red, and honestly, it’s still the best I’ve ever looked!

17.
If you had to move anywhere outside the U.S., where would you go?

New Zealand is an obvious choice, and for good reason – it’s a wonderful country. I was lucky enough to film a movie there once. I’d also highly recommend Nova Scotia, Canada. I spent three summers living there while my partner worked on a show, and it’s a place I truly love. It’s beautiful, the people are kind and welcoming, and everything you hear about Canadians being friendly is true. If you’ve never been, it’s similar to Ireland, but with much better summer weather.

18.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever learned from someone you don’t like?

As a film fan and someone who’s been on set, I’ve learned just as much from watching what not to do as from watching great performances. I remember noticing actors behaving poorly, and seeing how it affected everyone around them – the crew, the overall vibe. It really stuck with me. It taught me a lot about how I didn’t want to behave. It seems simple, but even remembering names goes a long way. I get that it’s hard to remember everyone, but after months on a shoot, if you’re still calling people things like ‘Clapper loader’ instead of their actual name, it just feels disrespectful. A little effort and kindness make a huge difference – even just acknowledging you should know their name and being polite about asking is enough. It’s about treating people with basic respect, and I think that’s something everyone can do.

19.
What did you have for breakfast this morning, and is it your usual?

Coffee, and yes.

20.
Describe something that was funny to you.

I was lucky enough to attend the Super Bowl recently, and I love watching people’s reactions when they suddenly realize they’re on the Jumbotron. It’s a really fun moment – seeing someone oblivious, then a friend points it out, and they get totally excited. However, that experience has been slightly spoiled by a Coldplay concert incident. Now, whenever I see a Jumbotron, I worry about whether what I’m witnessing is the beginning of the end for a couple. The U.K. doesn’t really have the same ‘kiss cam’ culture, and it’s something I think we’re missing out on.

21.
Describe something that is not funny to you.

You know, I’m a big fan of a good roast – when it’s done right, it can be hilarious. But honestly, anytime a show involves someone getting publicly humiliated by the audience? I can’t stand it. I just want to leave. It makes me so uncomfortable, and I really hate watching that happen to anyone.

22.
Describe something that is beautiful to you.

I expect most of the happy moments we’ll share will center around my son. There’s a special bond between a father and son. He’ll likely always be affectionate with his mother, which is lovely. But I realize there will probably come a day when he’ll want to pull away from hugs and closeness with me. So right now, cherishing his cuddles and sweet moments – knowing they won’t last forever – feels incredibly precious.

23.
Describe something that is ugly to you.

I can read my own handwriting, but it’s not very pretty. I remember on the first day of filming Harry Potter, people asked me to sign their books. The producer told me to simplify my signature, make it shorter. I resisted because I didn’t want to just use my initials – there are probably a lot of people with the same initials as me, D.R. Looking back, I wish I’d listened to him! It would have saved me a lot of time over the years, but I still write out my full name every time.

It seems strange to me that people are still selling my autograph, considering it’s probably the least valuable signature out there. It’s been circulating for about 25 years, ever since I was a kid, and hasn’t changed at all. I often sign autographs for professional collectors, and I always wonder how much they’re actually getting for them.

24.
How much money do you think is “enough” for the whole rest of your life — that you wouldn’t need to work again?

To be honest, growing up as a young actor and becoming financially successful early on has probably made it hard for me to judge how much money people actually need to live comfortably – definitely much less than I currently have. I could easily retire right now, but I genuinely enjoy my work and the projects I get to be a part of. While I know I’ll eventually want to spend more time with my child, I also realize he’ll eventually want his independence, and I’ll likely want to return to work then.

25.
What do you think is your most likely cause of death?

I’ve made some really bad mistakes in my life, and one happened while filming the movie Horns in Vancouver. I was wearing large fake horns as part of the costume, and I mistakenly drank antifreeze thinking it was water. I immediately felt awful and a doctor had to examine me – still with the horns on! I couldn’t understand why I was suddenly cramping and throwing up, since I didn’t realize what I’d actually drunk. It was a really difficult experience.

Let me tell you, being on set wasn’t always glamorous. A week into the shoot, I went to grab a glass of water in my trailer and got a serious warning – apparently, the water wasn’t safe to drink! It suddenly clicked – that probably explained why I’d been feeling a little under the weather the previous week. Turns out, there were signs everywhere about it, but I completely missed them. Talk about a rookie mistake!

So it may very well be my own stupidity.

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2026-03-24 18:59