Hugo Weaving: ‘I can’t get up in front of an audience. I’m very insecure’
The actor, 54, on a lifetime of epilepsy, the secret to a successful relationship and respecting elders
Travelling is education.I was born in Nigeria, but my parents are from the UK and I’ve lived in Britain, South Africa and Australia. Being exposed to so many cultures, languages, geographies and histories, I realised people are fundamentally very similar.
I was diagnosed as epileptic when I was 13 and had seizures once a year until my 40s. Then they just stopped. With every fit, my last thought was always: “I’m dying.”
We all put on emotional armour. We don’t like to admit we don’t know things, are weak and have failings. It’s a wonderful person who doesn’t care about that.
The secret to a relationship is never getting married. I’ve lived in sin with Katrina for over 30 years, with two bastards. You also need luck, to compromise and to say sorry a lot.
When my first child was being born I was deeply shocked by the way I suddenly saw my own parents. I had an immediate appreciation of what sort of love they had felt towards me. My whole life fell into perspective.
I’m always happy in nature. Up on our dairy farm, a big sky above our heads, beautiful stars, a river. We plant trees and grow vegetables and do nothing except physical work.
People always thought I was laid back,but I was basically doped for 30 years on epilepsy drugs. I ran out of my meds filming in the desert and went cold turkey. I was on a moderately high dose and it was masking a nervous anxiety I didn’t know I had.
I’ve had enough of big blockbuster movies.I thoughtThe Matrixwas very funny, but didn’t know if I wanted to be involved. After all the Marvel stuff, I’ve realised that’s what people think I do. I prefer being on the road in the outback with a small crew and a funny little script.
Most actors are shy.People ask me to MC this or open that and I tell them I can’t get up in front of an audience. I’m very insecure.
As a kid I always wanted to be wise, a respected elder. But watching my parents and their friends get older I notice that there’s less support, little respect nowadays.
I hate flag waving.I don’t consider myself any nationality, just a person who lives in the world. I have a British passport, but I don’t feel English when I come back to England.
I watch Aussie rules football. It’s a great gladiatorial game – and high scoring. It’s better than the World Cup with those nil-all draws.
I love to put my arms around a gumtree. If someone walked through our farm in 100 years and saw all the trees we planted, that would be a cool way to be remembered.
Hugo Weaving stars inMystery Road, in cinemas from 29 August
