That man from U.N.C.L.E. sounds off about himself, the things he goes for and the things he can't abide!
If you suddenly came into a million-dollar inheritance, what is the first
thing you would buy?
I would be rather dull, I'm afraid, and go out and buy $1,000,000 worth of stocks
and shares. Just think -- a million dollars put aside for a rainy day!
What type of girls are your most attracted to?
I'm attracted to girls who are good looking, interesting to talk to, and who
are well balanced and mature in their outlook.
Ideally, where would you like to live?
Anywhere that is warm and secluded. I have always had a desire to live on a
small island in the South Pacific, but it would have to be near the mainland
and a city.
What is the most serious problem you have ever had to solve?
I find living a constant problem with decisions to be made twenty-four hours
a day (except when I'm asleep). I try not to let any one problem become too
serious.
Do you have a pet fear?
Only the fear of being acutely embarrassed.
Have you ever been acutely embarrassed?
I once performed on a stage without sufficient preparation and the audience
laughed at me.
What was your reaction?
Ever since then I have been overly conscientious in my preparation for work.
Would you like to make a record?
No.
Don't you sing at all?
I sing to the radio in the car.
How do you sound?
I don't know. I turn it up so loudly that I don't have to listen myself.
Have you any pets?
I have a pet basset hound called "Gregory the Great." I trained him
to attack people who come to the house, unless we stop him. He is an excellent
guard dog.
What advice do you give young people who wish to act?
I don not consider myself the one to encourage or discourage anyone from entering
this business. If anyone has the desire to become an actor or an actress, the
strength of his or her desire will eventually determine the success or failure
of the individual.
What do you think of acting as a career?
It is very hard work, but the rewards are gratifying if you achieve success.
Do you like acting?
Every single minute of it!
Why?
I enjoy being an actor because there is constant "variety." I meet
new people every day. I act out new scenes hour by hour. I travel.
Where have you traveled to?
Everywhere! I will have completed 30,000 miles in promotional work next week
-- and that is in six weekends!
What work besides U.N.C.L.E. are you doing?
I am making a film for MGM called Around The World Under The Sea this summer.
What will you do after that?
What I do after that depends on the future of U.N.C.L.E. At the time of writing
this, we are still not absolutely certain that we are coming back next year!
Who are your best friends?
I have a few personal and close friends. They are not connected with work, so
I cannot divulge any details -- this is the part of my life that I like to keep
to myself.
What are your most prized material possessions?
I have few material prized possessions. I love my wife Jill and our three boys,
Paul, Jason and Valentine. But they could hardly be called possessions.
What kind of gifts do you like to receive?
I like to be surprised. A gift is, after all, the idea of the giver.
Couldn't you give a hint?
All right. I do like black silk.
Are you moody?
I am neither moody nor temperamental on the set unless I am tired or worried
about something. I try to be cooperative when I work, and this precludes either
of these luxuries.
How about at home?
I am usually in a happy mood there!
Who are your favorite actors?
I do not have any show-business favorites. I look at, and listen to, every performance
with an open mind and enjoy both natural talent and the results of honest hard
work.
What kind of people do you dislike?
Bores. And there are an awful lot of bores around -- and I don't mean just the
female of the species.
What should a women do to attract you?
She must be clean and smelling divinely -- and that means a light touch on the
perfumes. She must listen to conversation more than participate in it. She must
cook to please a man.
What sports do you enjoy watching?
I like to watch baseball, and this is something that I have learned to enjoy
since coming to America.
What sports do you personally do?
I enjoy walking around a golf course with a good "pro."
What sports do you dislike?
Boxing and wrestling I find ugly, degrading and unnecessary sports -- but I
don't think they should be stopped when I say this, as there are many people
who enjoy them.
What is your hobby?
I am very interested in electronics and finding out how things work. I have
always been very technical-minded. Photography fascinates me, but I like to
have time to spare when I go out taking pictures, and this happens very rarely
due to a very busy schedule.
What are your favorite foods?
I enjoy well-prepared dishes and fine wines.
What is your secret ambition?
I don't have one.
What is your pet extravagance?
I spend a great deal of money wines. I like to buy good books, too. Reading
a well-bound edition of a fine novel is much more satisfactory to me than holding
a scrawny paperback. I'd rather save up for the more expensive copy any day.
Looking back, do you have one big regret?
Naturally, I have many regrets when I look back, but these all make up the total
of my life's experience. I have no one outstanding regret.
What clothes and make-up do you like for a girl to wear?
Clothes should always be suited to the occasion. I dislike slacks. A skirt is
so much more feminine. As to make-up, some need it, some don't. I like a natural
look during the daytime, but I like that heavy-eyed look in the evening -- it
goes with a good dinner, anyhow.
How about perfume?
I like Jolie Madame, Magic, Jungle Gardenia and Ma Griffe.
What are your favorite colors? Clothes?
My favorite color is yellow, and it must be that bright, fresh yellow, that
sparkles. My favorite flower is the rose -- the red rose. I don't go out very
often, so I get great pleasure when I wear a tuxedo. However, I spend most of
my time in trousers and a casual shirt.
Do you have a nickname?
I am called David because that's what I was christened in the first place. I
don't like nicknames, and I hate to be called "Dave."
What is the best address to write you?
MGM, Culver City, Calif.