Patrick Stewart: The Next Generation

"How'd you all get up there?"

"Up a rope," he says.

"Oh, come on. They let the star of their movie climb up a rope?"

"I swear to you. Every single person did it--grips, camera crew, makeup artists, and director--because if you didn't get up there, you didn't work. We were on top of this rock for five days. Brutal conditions, temperatures of 105 degrees. It was grim. There was a strong wind blowing. It was dangerous. And, in fact, one day we had to abandon simply because we were in danger of being blown off the rock."

"That would have been a fitting end to the movie, if you and Bill Shatner were last seen being blown off the rock." The very thought has both of us laughing.

"Does this movie have the same sort of cheesy sets that the TV show had?"

It's hard to describe how offended Stewart gets. He pulls himself up and glares at me. "I unequivocally reject that allegation," he says.

"I didn't mean to insult you," I say in my own defense. "But I've always marveled at how, when the doors open and close on the ship, you can practically see the two guys behind it, pulling. And the control boards, I mean come on ..."

Stewart lightens up. "Okay, on occasions, yes, there have been moments that there's a certain whiff in the air. Usually when it's to do with rocks or scenery."

"That's what I mean."

"As far as the ship is concerned, I've always believed in that ship. But, yes, everything was upgraded for the movie. Everything. And the new sets that were built were breathtaking, awesome. So I guess I can understand what you mean, but I never would have phrased it like that."

"I'm a master of phrasing," I say. "Did you have any money before 'Star Trek'?" I think I've just proved my point.

"Ah, I was never in debt..."

"But were you wealthy?"

"No, no. Not at all. The last seven years have really been a dramatic change, yes. This kind of security was something that I have never expected, no actor ever should, because they would become very unhappy very quickly. And I have truly loved what I've done in my life. I think I've been very blessed, very fortunate, to have had the experiences I've had for 30 years, because I'm rarely happier than when I'm working. So, for me, to have had all those years in the theater in England, and to have done years of rep, a different play every week as I moved up to better and better companies, play after play, role after role after role after role, late nights just spent cramming lines for the next day, no sleep, going in to work and doing a show... that was such a fine time. And then I joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. Which was the culmination of everything I ever wanted to do."

"Does everybody recognize you, wherever you go?"

"Yes, it's commonplace. I have a collection of hats and caps I keep everywhere because I always feel this is the part," and here he points to his head, "that I have to conceal, but even then, they seem to know who I am. Ben Kingsley is one of my best friends. That's K-I-N-G-S-L-E-Y, in case you're not sure. I picked him up at a hotel not long ago in L.A., and I was driving my convertible. It was in the early evening and we were going out for dinner. I said, 'Do you want to put the top up?' and he said, 'No, no, this is beautiful.' And we started driving, and there was silence for a moment, and he said, 'Have you ever considered that anyone driving behind you will think the world has been invaded by an alien race?' Because neither of us has much hair." He throws his head back and laughs.

"Ben and I, we look alike. I'll tell you a great story. I was at one of those Hollywood events, black tie, and when I arrived, a very, very well-known elderly movie star saw me come in, and opened his arms. And I looked around to see who he was looking to embrace, because I knew he didn't know me. But I knew who he was. I was impressed. And he said out loud, 'My God, I love this man. Oh, you're fantastic ... where's the photographer? Get him over here.' I was just dizzy with delight. And I called out, 'Hi. Hey, hi.' And so we had our photographs taken with his wife, and then he turned to me and said, 'Mr. Kingsley, this has been a great honor.' 'Well,' I said, 'it's been a great honor for me, too.' The only problem was that I was due to give a speech at this event..."

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