David Walliams [Mr. Funnyman]

By: Julian Chavez | December 21, 2009 | Ten by Ten

David Walliams is the often sexually ambiguous — but always hilarious — comedic raconteur and co-creator of television show Little Britain. Together with actor Matt Lucas, Walliams created some of the most iconic characters in the history of British comedy, including Bubbles DeVere, Lou and Andy, and Sebastian Love. At the moment, Walliams is shooting Dinner for Schmucks — due out next summer with a few other funny dudes, namely Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Zach Galifianakis.

What is the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Good manners are priceless. They disarm people into getting what you want!

Who is your favorite contemporary artist and why?
Gary Hume — a British artist who abstracts the real world into simple colors and shapes. His paintings will always be beautiful as colors and shapes will always be beautiful. I own a couple of his paintings, and after mentioning him in this magazine, I hope their value will increase.

What characteristics constitute intelligence?
Listening to others and admitting when you are wrong — two things I hate doing.

How would you describe the current state of American politics?
Progressive. Everyone in the United Kingdom loves Obama, even racists.

What do you think is the biggest threat to world peace?
Thinking the people around the world are different when really we must be all the same — except Belgians, of course.

What is your definition of success?
I just want to be happy. And have sexual intercourse with lots of girls with big breasts.

What do you consider your greatest professional achievement?
In 2006, I swam from England to France and raised £1,000,000 for charity. I don’t like to go on about it, but I did.

Which five people do you most admire and why?
Richard Curtis, the comedy writer, devotes half his time raising money for Comic Relief. Not only has he written some of the finest comedies of the last 20 years, such Blackadder and Four Weddings and a Funeral, he has saved the lives of thousands of people.

Bob Dylan for changing the way people think.

Daniel Day Lewis for being the greatest actor in the world and never selling out.

David Lynch for creating his own aesthetic.

Richard Simmons for being the funniest man in the world and not being aware of it.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Barry Humphries, who plays Dame Edna Everage, said you had to feel funny to be funny.

How would you define love?
My mum and dad were married for 45 years. Their journey from young newlyweds in black-and-white wedding photographs to watching my mum nursing my dad as he was dying of cancer seems to me to be the definition of love.

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