The Graceful Kelly Rutherford In Her Own Words: Our Latest Proust Questionnaire
In an industry often defined by its transience, actress Kelly Rutherford stands as a testament to grace, resilience, and authentic creativity. Best known for her roles in television dramas that have captivated audiences worldwide, Kelly embodies a blend of elegance and fortitude, both on and off the screen. Beyond her acting prowess, she is a dedicated mother, an ardent writer, and a woman of enduring wisdom. In this version of the Proust Questionnaire, Kelly shares her insights on life, love, and the pursuit of well-being, inviting us into her serene yet dynamic world.
Our new editorial series, based on The Proust Questionnaire, aims to reveal true natures through a set of insightful questions. Originally a parlour game popularised by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, we present our version below:
What is your current state of mind?
Peaceful.
How do you switch off?
Walk my dogs, write, and spend time with my kids.
What is the trait you most admire in others?
Integrity and loyalty.
Which living person do you most admire?
All mothers.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Time for myself.
What is the first thing that you do when you wake in the morning?
Walk my dogs and get a coffee.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Explaining oneself.
Do you have any daily rituals?
My schedule changes almost daily. I do love to do my angel cards and writing.
What do you most like about your appearance?
That I am becoming more myself.
What does well-being mean to you?
Being healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually.
What is the quality you most like in a person?
Their ability to love.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Probably "like." I grew up in California.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My children.
When and where are you happiest?
With my kids and dachshunds, being creative, traveling, or cosy at home.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Music, painting or both really, and writing.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To just be more fully on purpose.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Motherhood and my creative life doing my work, something I love so much.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A visionary, someone who could heal others by revealing truth.
Where would you most like to live?
Ah, I am figuring that out now. I love so many places.
What is your most treasured possession?
I cherish and appreciate all.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
I don’t really think about it.
What is your favourite occupation?
Being creative and making things.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Being a mother and playing a mother on screen.
What do you most value in your friends?
Humor and presence.
Who are your favourite writers?
Dorothy Parker, Plum Sykes, Anaïs Nin, Ayn Rand, Henry Miller, Barbara Marciniak, Shakti Gawain, and whoever wrote Star Wars.
Who is your hero of fiction?
I love La Femme Nikita.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Diana from Greek mythology.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My family.
What are your favourite names?
Hermes, Helena, Cappuccina and Twombly.
What brings pleasure to your day?
Looking for the good in things, seeing beauty, and being productive and on purpose.
Do you have any products or objects that you can’t live without?
Not really.
Where is your favourite place to wake up in the world?
With my family.
What is your motto?
Just do your best. All is well in my world.
Follow @kellyrutherford
Images supplied by Kelly.
First and Third image by Dior.
