Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire: 101 Luminaries Ponder Love, Death, Happiness, and the Meaning of Life - Hardcover

Graydon Carter is the editor of Vanity Fair.

Robert Risko, a Vanity Fair contributor, is one of the most renowned celebrity caricaturists working today.

ROBERT ALTMAN

FILM MAKER

April 2006 (Altman died in November 2006.)

My greatest regret: "Doing this questionnaire."

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Screening a new picture in a room full of "virgins."

What is your greatest fear?

See above answer.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Buffalo Bill.

Which living person do you most admire?

Harry Belafonte.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My tendency to take foolish risks.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Their reluctance to take foolish risks.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Frugality.

On what occasion do you lie?

What day is today?

Which living person do you most despise?

W.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

"Cut."

What is your greatest regret?

Doing this questionnaire.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Kathryn Reed.

When and where were you happiest?

Working.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Card counting.

What is your current state of mind?

Cautiously optimistic.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I'd make my legs the same length.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

No comment.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I've made only the movies I wanted to make.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

I'm immortal.

What is your most treasured possession?

Memories.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

The ability not to take one's self seriously.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

The ability to take me seriously.

Who are your favorite writers?

Raymond Carver and Roald Dahl.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Philip Marlowe.

What is it that you most dislike?

Movies that explain everything.

What is your motto?

"Giggle and give in."