Toni Collette: When were you happiest?

Originally asked

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

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

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

Recorded Toni Collette said elsewhere, not written here

Right now: Summer. Dusk. On my couch watching Australian Open tennis with my kids and dog. Doors wide open to a beautiful body of water. The first star of the night just appeared in the sky. Life is magical.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Ardal O'Hanlon Irish comedian and actor

I have become progressively happier as I’ve got older. It’s to do with not striving as much.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 June 2022 source ↗

Kelsey Grammer American actor

This morning, surrounded by my children and my wife, Kayte.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 June 2016 source ↗

Madhur Jaffrey Actress, cook, and TV host

I am happiest when I am working.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 February 2021 source ↗

Maxine Peake British actress

The mid- to late 80s, summers spent at Park End Farm in Atherton – ankle deep in horse manure and soaking wet from falls from badly constructed rope swings across streams.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 July 2011 source ↗