Damian Lewis reveals a chilling encounter that will send shivers down your spine: ‘Someone placed flowers at my feet, and I realized it was my stalker.’ But here’s where it gets even more unsettling—this happened while he was on stage during a press night in the West End. His blood froze, and he admits, ‘I wish I could have a nicer one!’
In a lighter vein, Lewis shares some of his most posh moments, like taking a helicopter to Royal Ascot. ‘It only hit me how extravagant it was when I stopped panicking about falling out,’ he quips. But is taking a helicopter to an event ever justifiable, or is it a symbol of excess? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
On the set of Fackham Hall, Lewis recalls a hilarious scene where he spat an hors d’oeuvre at co-star Katherine Waterston—a feat that took 33 takes. ‘I asked for 20 extra takes just because I was having so much fun,’ he admits. And yes, he did hit her in the face once, but she took it like a champ.
Speaking of jobs, Lewis reveals his worst gig ever: selling overcoats at Burberry. ‘I got fired because I was terrible,’ he laughs. ‘I convinced people to wear raincoats that were either way too big or too small, claiming it was fashion.’ Is it ever okay to bend the truth for a sale, or does integrity always come first? Let us know what you think.
When asked about his hidden talents, Lewis confesses he’s a pro at garden cricket. ‘I play Test matches with my son,’ he says with a smile. And his go-to film? Withnail and I. ‘I first watched it as a drama student and thought it was depressingly real. It took me a second viewing to realize it’s a comedy masterpiece.’
One piece of advice Lewis swears by? ‘Don’t read your reviews,’ shared by the late Tim Pigott-Smith during his Hamlet days. ‘Know your strengths and weaknesses, and ignore the noise.’ But in today’s digital age, is it even possible—or wise—to avoid reviews entirely? Weigh in below.
Lewis also shares a heartwarming detail: his oldest possessions are Clowny and Ellie, his childhood stuffed toys. ‘They’re a bit worse for wear—Clowny’s lost a few eyes and a nose—but I passed them on to my kids,’ he says. What’s the most sentimental item you still own, and why does it matter to you?
Not all celebrity encounters are glamorous. Lewis recalls a late-night run-in with an A-list celebrity on a film lot in Los Angeles. ‘He thought I was driving too fast, and it almost turned into a fight,’ he says. ‘But that was 20 years ago—everyone was tired.’
Finally, when asked about the strangest thing he’s done for love, Lewis breaks into a playful rendition of Meat Loaf’s I’d Do Anything for Love. ‘I’ve done a lot of strange things,’ he admits. ‘But honestly, aren’t the things you do for love just… lovely?’ What’s the most unusual thing you’ve done for someone you care about? Share your stories—we’re all ears!
