LaKeith Stanfield Wants His Son to Commit to the Drama

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The Maria Bamford Questionnaire is a 25-question survey created by the popular comedian to reveal unexpected things about the people who take it. In this installment, we get to know LaKeith Stanfield, an actor in Boots Riley’s latest movie, I Love Boosters.

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

My wife is a big snacker, so I got this really cool charcuterie book to try and create some nice little boards for her. It’s full of pictures, which is helpful, and I enjoy putting everything together – different cheeses, little nibbles, that sort of thing. She’s not a huge meat eater, so I often swap that out with things like tuna, nuts, and especially berries – she loves berries! Honestly, the way she snacks is kind of adorable, though the little munching sounds can get a bit much sometimes, so I’ll admit I sometimes put on headphones when we’re in bed. But seeing her snack actually makes me want to join in, which is a fun little side effect!

I love pickles, but I also enjoy having different textures in my snacks. That means when I eat a pickle, I need something crunchy like a chip and a dip to go with it. I prefer either sweet or savory flavors – mixing them just doesn’t feel right to me.

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

This new belief system would empower people to think for themselves and learn how to manage their own health, reducing reliance on potentially flawed or corrupt systems. It would be like having instant access to the knowledge needed to heal and care for yourself.

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

I envision a drink that feels like alcohol without actually being alcoholic. It would give people the social experience they enjoy without the harmful effects of getting drunk or damaging their health. While I wouldn’t want to deceive anyone, I’d love to create and promote a healthy, enjoyable alternative that could ultimately replace alcohol for people – that would be incredible.

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

I often have nightmares where I’m in prison for something, though I’m not sure why. I think it stems from a deep-seated fear of losing my freedom – the ability to move, think, and live as I choose.

5.
What just happened in your life?

I’ve finally found a good balance in my life – between my work, marriage, and family. It took a lot of effort to get here, but I feel much more settled now. I’m managing everything better than I ever have, and while it’s still challenging, it’s worth it. When I’m balanced, I can be fully present for my loved ones without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

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 was reading a passage from Robert Harris’s novel Fatherland, which imagines a world where Hitler won the war. It’s striking because the book highlights how much progress we could be making, and it’s a sobering reminder of how easily things could go wrong if we don’t actively work together to build a better future.

7.
What is the last thing you bought used?

It was my Leica camera, but I had to send it off for repairs. The whole process was a real hassle, and it took so long that it felt like they’d practically kept it. I’m a big camera enthusiast, so I couldn’t wait any longer and asked for it back, even though it had been used during the repair process. Since it was used by the repair shop on my behalf, I’m not sure if that really matters.

That wasn’t really addressing the question, but I remembered! I found a fantastic button-up shirt while thrifting, and I’m obsessed with it. I haven’t washed it yet because I love it so much. It’s a fun, vacation-style shirt with lots of cool animal designs – lions, eagles, and birds. I haven’t worn it since I got it, and honestly, I don’t even want to wash it; I just want to keep enjoying how great it is. I really love that shirt!

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

The president. Do I need to say more?

9.
What place will you never return to?

My high-school locker room.

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

I think my mom would still welcome me home if I needed to. She’s incredibly kind and generous, and I often worry about her being too trusting. I really believe she’d always offer me a place to stay if I was struggling. She’s always been supportive, especially of my acting dreams. She used to tell me I’d be a star, and I’d always playfully protest, but she’d insist she was just being honest.

I remember the first time I walked a red carpet, I excitedly told my mother, “I’ve made it – I’m a star now!” She just laughed and said, “I knew you would.” Later, when I was nominated for an Oscar, I called her while I was crying, overwhelmed with happiness and barely able to speak. She repeated, “I told you you’re a star!” And I playfully countered, “You’re a star!” We ended up playfully competing over who was the bigger star, and honestly, I think she won.

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

I would have loved to be part of Breaking Bad. It’s such a great show! I probably would have even been happy just playing a small role, or even as an extra. Being able to contribute to that incredibly detailed and fascinating world would have been amazing.

I really enjoyed the show Bloodline too, especially how it explored family dynamics. I wondered how a Black character would have been included in the story – maybe as a cousin or friend, for example. It made me think about where I might have fit in.

I also really enjoyed watching The Wire and wish I’d been a part of it. It felt ahead of its time, and I think we need more shows that focus on specific locations with a lot of detail. Exploring those kinds of specific stories is always great, because it shows how people come together as a community.

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

I’d like to stop overthinking. I think focusing on my breath and the present moment – things I can actually control – could help, instead of constantly worrying about things that might happen or things I can’t change. Overthinking seems to be a major source of stress and frustration, so reducing it would be really beneficial.

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

I often think about incredibly talented people from the past – those who excelled in many different fields. I’d love to understand how their minds worked. Even if they worried a lot, they seemed able to process information in a way that balanced out their anxieties. They were simply able to organize their thoughts effectively, likely due to their intelligence. Of course, constantly thinking deeply might also have been overwhelming, but I still find the idea fascinating.

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

It’s often a struggle to decide between focusing on work and being present in the moment. I definitely prioritized work at times, and later regretted missing out on personal experiences. Looking back, I wish I’d chosen those personal moments instead. Work is important, but you can’t get time back, and it’s sometimes better to simply be more present.

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

I rarely experience jealousy, but I’m always impressed by how naturally intelligent my brother is. It’s a bit of a mixed blessing, though. Having so much knowledge is wonderful, but it can also be overwhelming, and sometimes I worry about him. While I’m content with my own abilities, I wish he felt a little less burdened by his intelligence, so I often hope he’d worry a little less and maybe not think quite so much.

16.
How many colors has your hair been?

So, I’ve had a few different hair colors – gold, green, and I’ve even shaved part of my head. That’s mostly it, except for purple every Halloween when I dress up as the Joker. I really love that character! I think the Joker embodies the idea of chaos, and how there can be something strangely beautiful about it. He’s a total contrast to Batman, who represents order, and I think you need both. What I find most fascinating is how the Joker deals with chaos and how he seems to find humor in the pointlessness of everything.

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

I love Japan – it’s such a fascinating country. I’ve always had a great time whenever I’ve visited. I especially appreciate the culture’s emphasis on harmony and respect. I think the tradition of bowing is interesting, and it’s admirable how much importance they place on showing respect for one another. I still sometimes bow to people even now, and while they might find it strange, I personally think it’s a nice gesture.

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

I’ve realized that being honest and having strong principles ultimately matters most. While it might seem satisfying in the short term to put others down, that feeling never lasts. People who try to intimidate or belittle others are eventually forgotten, but the truth always remains.

I’m not sure if I dislike anyone currently, but there have definitely been times in my life when I didn’t care for certain people. I’ve realized that holding onto negative feelings just creates unnecessary tension and throws you off balance. I’m actively working on opening myself up to love, connection, and friendship. While I could dwell on negative feelings if I wanted to, I don’t find it helpful. It’s more productive to look inward, understand why I’m reacting negatively, and work on resolving those issues within myself instead of simply disliking others.

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

Things are a bit rough right now – I only had a couple of protein bars for breakfast. I dove straight into interviews today, and it’s been a busy day. That’s unusual for me, though. Normally, my wife makes me breakfast, and I really miss her. I don’t have her here with me at the moment, so I grabbed the protein bars. She definitely won’t be thrilled that’s all I ate!

20.
Describe something that was funny to you.

I was walking around the house when my son pulled a cute prank on me. He pretended to be really sad, and I actually fell for it! I asked him what was wrong, and he immediately said he was just kidding. I told him he needed to fully commit to the act if he was going to pretend like that.

He’s adorable and keeps repeating “commit to the drama,” which is honestly the sweetest thing. I love that’s what he says!

21.
Describe something that is not funny to you.

There’s a lot of selfishness in the world, and it’s really disheartening. People often gain from being greedy only by causing hardship for others.

22.
Describe something that is beautiful to you.

My kids, and kids in general. They’re just precious. Love them. Shout-out to the future.

23.
Describe something that is ugly to you.

War. Violence perpetrated on kids.

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

I believe that finding inner peace and balance is more important than having money, and that’s what I’m focusing on right now. Of course, basic needs like food are still important, but ultimately, I think inner peace is the most crucial thing.

Money isn’t the most important thing to me. Without peace of mind and meaningful connections, having a lot of money wouldn’t matter – I’d just be working to feel stressed and overwhelmed. I truly believe focusing on well-being is a better investment than chasing money. It’s just that, these days, it’s hard to get by without it. The basic cost of living is constantly going up, and that’s really concerning. I hope we can work together to change that.

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

I hope to die feeling completely overwhelmed with love from the people I cherish – like bursting into a million pieces from happiness. Ideally, that’s how my life would end, as an explosion of love that creates something new and beautiful.

Stanfield earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination in 2021 for Judas and the Black Messiah.

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2026-05-22 20:58