10 Things We Learned from Patrick Stewart’s AMA

Sir Patrick Stewart is hardly a man who needs an introduction. But he gave one anyway earlier today when he participated in his first AMA, suggesting that participants might know him from “X-Men, American Dad, Star Trek, or The Royal Shakespeare Company.” Though the main purpose of his Reddit visit was to talk about his new Starz show, Blunt Talk, Stewart fielded questions on everything from his favorite type of tea to riding the subway. Here are 10 things we learned about the beloved actor.

1. HE’D TOTALLY ROCK A MULLET.

When asked, “If you HAD to have hair, what kind of hairstyle would you go with?,” Stewart didn’t hesitate in replying that he’d choose a business in the front, party in the back look.  

2. IF YOU TRY TO OUT-FUNNY HIM, HE WILL SUE YOU.

Stewart joked that, “Nothing I do is accidentally funny. It is all pre-meditated and carefully planned and scheduled. And if you steal one of my funny ideas, I WILL sue you.” Consider yourself warned!

3. HE LOVES TO RIDE THE SUBWAY.

When one participant swore that he had seen Stewart on the subway in New York City—at the Broadway-Lafayette station—Stewart confirmed that he does indeed “use the subway all the time and in London, the Underground” and that “Broadway-Lafayette is one of my favorite stations!”

4. HE CLAIMS TO HAVE INTRODUCED THE DOUBLE TEA BAG TO AMERICA.

Like any good Englishman, Stewart has a go-to tea—and that is Yorkshire Gold. “Any other kind of tea bag needs two bags,” he explained. “By the way, did you know that I am the man who introduced the concept of the double tea bag to the United States? Don't you think that deserves some recognition? A Medal of Honor? And invitation to The White House? Or my own seat on the next space shuttle?”

5. HE’S A SLURPER.

When asked about his worst habits, Stewart was quick to admit that it was “slurping when I drink  … anything.”

6. HE’D GET ALL PHILOSOPHICAL IF HE EVER MET SHAKESPEARE.

If he had the ability to ask William Shakespeare one question, “my question would be: Prove to me you're William Shakespeare.” (Which isn’t technically a question, but we’ll let it slide.)

7. LOVE AND WORK KEEP HIM YOUNG.

“The great man Sigmund Freud said the most important things for a happy and long life were love and work, and I've had a cornucopia of both,” the 75-year-old shared of his secret for staying young.

8. HE THINKS ALAN CUMMING IS A GOOD KISSER.

When asked to choose who was the better kisser, Ian McKellen or Conan O’Brien, Stewart said it was actually Alan Cumming.

9. THERE ARE LOTS OF OUTTAKES FROM HIS CAMEO ON EXTRAS.

In discussing his 2005 cameo on Ricky Gervais’ HBO series Extras, in which Stewart plays himself—but a nudity-obsessed version of himself—Stewart said that it was “Not difficult at all [to do the scene] because the script was brilliant, but [it was] impossibly difficult because Ricky giggled all the time and spoiled so many takes."

10. HIS NEW SERIES, BLUNT TALK, IS THE MOST FUN HE HAS HAD IN HIS CAREER.

“For the 12 weeks of shooting, I remember nothing except laughing, which is a nice way to get through a working day, especially if it's 14 hours,” Stewart shared. “Everyone in our cast is a comedian (or comedienne). They're funny on screen and they're funny off, which accounts for my comment about laughing. There's not much laughter when you're performing King Lear or Macbeth.”