Q&A: Chris O’Dowd, actor 

orn in Ireland, Chris O’Dowd, 35, appeared in the TV series The IT Crowd and Girls, and films such as Bridesmaids and St Vincent. Last year he was Tony-nominated for his performance in Of Mice And Men on Broadway, and he is currently starring in Moone Boy on Sky 1. He is married to Dawn O’Porter, and they live with their two-month-old baby in Los Angeles.

When were you happiest?At college: missing lectures to rehearse plays and go daytime drinking. Oh, and the baby’s birth.

Nearly drowning. My sister pulled me out of a swimming pool when I was three or four. She reminds me often of her heroism.

Impatience. I urge microwaves, kettles, queues and career lulls to speed the hell up daily.

Hyperbolic reactionism. Nothing is allowed to be “just OK” any more, which is a shame, because most things are exactly that.

Property aside, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?

A vintage car on the internet. I paid for it in cash in a Burger King and it broke down on the way home.

I’ve just spent two days putting up a giant bookcase. If there was a fire, I’d quickly disassemble it, then go back for the baby.

Petrol. And cigars. Which will probably lead to my eventual demise.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?

A “friend” once told me that a girl I liked talked to me just so she could get closer to him. Sadly, he was right.

After mining my home life for Moone Boy, probably some privacy.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?

Everyone who knew me between the ages of 19 and 24. Full of opinions. Totally clueless.

Like a warm bath on a cold day, suds ’n’ all.

Have you ever said “I love you” and not meant it?

Yes. And the long, silent pause that followed it was a testament to the lady’s honesty and restraint.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?

Whoever invented comment sections under web articles.

When our baby took to the boob for the first time: happy tears at him having his first feed, but also sad at the thought of how many more boobs he’ll seek out before he’s truly happy.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

On an iPhone, why can’t you close all open apps at once, rather than flicking through them all?

What song would you like played at your funeral?

Q: How many kids with ADHD does it take to change a light bulb?

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