Kelly Macdonald, 37, was born in Glasgow. She was working in a bar when she was cast as the schoolgirl Diane in Danny Boyle's 1996 film Trainspotting. In 2001, she appeared in the award-winning Gosford Park, and in 2005 won an emmy for her role in The Girl In The Café. The Coen brothers' film No Country For Old Men followed in 2007. She appeared in Joe Wright's Anna Karenina and was the lead voice in the Pixar movie Brave. Currently in the Sky Atlantic series Boardwalk Empire, she is married to the Travis bassist, Dougie Payne, and they have two sons.
When were you happiest?
My wedding day. I had a sore face from laughing and smiling so much. Other than that, I am the happiest I've been in my life now.
What is your greatest fear?
Any harm coming to my children. And scuba diving.
What is your earliest memory?
Sharing my pram with a much bigger girl, who was hitting me.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My resemblance to a gnat, attention-wise.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Being made to sing in an episode of Boardwalk Empire. And my audition for The Matrix. It's a toss-up.
Where would you like to live?
I'm pretty happy with the two cities I call home now – Glasgow and New York. But I'd like to give Paris a shot.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My tummy after having two huge babies.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
David Niven, Alan Bennett, Freddie Mercury, Dolly Parton, Steve Buscemi and Tina Fey.
What would your super power be?
The ability to speak every language. And teleportation to show off my language skills.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
My pre-baby tummy. I took it for granted and now I miss it. And Freddie Mercury.
What makes you unhappy?
Lack of sleep.
What is your favourite book?
Carson McCullers' The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, or any Maggie O'Farrell.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Kate Winslet. With Roger Livesey as my husband.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Sometimes I bite off a fingernail to use as a toothpick. Nasty.
What is your favourite word?
Totty-Pants, my baby's nickname.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
A doughnut dunked in black coffee or a very occasional cigarette.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Sit on your bottom."
What is the worst job you've done?
Chip shop. I reeked of chip fat.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Not enjoying tap dancing.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
No smartphone.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Joe Brown singing I'll See You In My Dreams.
Tell us a joke.
I never remember jokes. What's brown and sticky? I can't remember.