The stage star reveals how comedy cost him his athletic figure, why he struggles to be taken seriously as an actor – and why doing a 10-metre dive on Splash! changed his life
When did you discover you could make people laugh?
I was six years old and in a show-and-tell session at school. The teacher had brought coconut shells, and said if you click them together, they sound like a horse. When it was my turn, I ran around pretending to be a horse and everyone fell about laughing. It happened again when I was 22: I wanted to be a serious actor in serious plays, but every time I walked on stage, the audience would burst out laughing.
Is it still difficult to get people to take you seriously as a "straight" actor?
Yes. I'm naturally more of an actor – I'm not saying I'm very good, but it's what...
When did you discover you could make people laugh?
I was six years old and in a show-and-tell session at school. The teacher had brought coconut shells, and said if you click them together, they sound like a horse. When it was my turn, I ran around pretending to be a horse and everyone fell about laughing. It happened again when I was 22: I wanted to be a serious actor in serious plays, but every time I walked on stage, the audience would burst out laughing.
Is it still difficult to get people to take you seriously as a "straight" actor?
Yes. I'm naturally more of an actor – I'm not saying I'm very good, but it's what...
- 1/29/2014
- by Laura Barnett
- The Guardian - Film News
The most expensive thing I've ever bought? The concept of New Labour
Omid Djalili, 44, is a British-born Iranian comedian. He had a string of successful shows at the Edinburgh festival in the 90s, and in 2005 had a sell-out nationwide tour with his No Agenda show. He has since made two series of The Omid Djalili Show for the BBC, played Fagin in the stage version of Oliver! and voiced a character in the Grand Theft Auto game. His film credits include Gladiator, Sex And The City 2 and The Infidel, which is out on DVD on Monday.
When were you happiest?
When my bowels move freely and without complications.
What is your greatest fear?
The concept of eternity.
What is your earliest memory?
Being jealous of the cat because his food looked tastier than mine.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
The character of Frasier Crane – he's...
Omid Djalili, 44, is a British-born Iranian comedian. He had a string of successful shows at the Edinburgh festival in the 90s, and in 2005 had a sell-out nationwide tour with his No Agenda show. He has since made two series of The Omid Djalili Show for the BBC, played Fagin in the stage version of Oliver! and voiced a character in the Grand Theft Auto game. His film credits include Gladiator, Sex And The City 2 and The Infidel, which is out on DVD on Monday.
When were you happiest?
When my bowels move freely and without complications.
What is your greatest fear?
The concept of eternity.
What is your earliest memory?
Being jealous of the cat because his food looked tastier than mine.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
The character of Frasier Crane – he's...
- 8/6/2010
- by Rosanna Greenstreet
- The Guardian - Film News
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