Toby Stephens, the 57-year-old actor known for his roles in Die Another Day and Black Sails, has opened up about his late mother, Dame Maggie Smith, his battle with alcoholism, and his current role in Equus. In a candid interview, Stephens reflected on his parents, his past struggles, and his career.
Stephens, who lost his father Robert Stephens to cirrhosis, revealed that he was an alcoholic and addict in his 20s. 'When I lost my dad to cirrhosis, I knew that the only difference between us was that, tragically, he couldn’t stop whereas I could,' he said. He also expressed a desire to bring his mother back from extinction, saying, 'If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose? My mother.'
The actor, who played Bond villain Gustav Graves in 2002's Die Another Day, admitted to being frequently mistaken for actor Damian Lewis. 'Who would play you in the film of your life? Damian Lewis, because we’re always mistaken for one another,' he said. He also described his appearance as 'like a fridge,' referring to the width of his body.
Stephens is currently starring in Equus at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory until 4 July, before moving to Theatre Royal Bath from 14-25 July. He lives in London with his wife, actor Anna-Louise Plowman, and their three children.
