Lena Dunham: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Lena Dunham

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My uncle, Edward Wood Dunham. He has Parkinson’s disease and faces every day with bravery, humor, and a gin-and-tonic.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2014 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Person Edward Wood Dunham not yet on FLAPSS

Others on this question

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Richard Schiff

Martin Sheen, simply the kindest and most fun-loving person and serious activist I’ve ever known. If Jesus was alive today he’d point to Martin Sheen and say, “That’s what I was talking about.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 April 2026 source ↗

Isla Fisher Australian actress

David Walliams, for making the transition from comic actor to bestselling kids’ author. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do the same.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 July 2016 source ↗

Vera Wang

Those who put others first.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2020 source ↗

Seth Rogen

My wife (Borat voice).

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, July 2017 source ↗

More from Lena Dunham

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Casual cruelty; the wearing of essential oils.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2014 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

Unmade bed surrounded by books, writing utensils, and the dog; a plate of demolished toast with butter on my chest; loved ones puttering not too close but not too far.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 10 September 2014 source ↗