Tom Burke, the 44-year-old actor known for his roles in The Musketeers, War & Peace, Strike, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, recently sat down for an interview covering a range of topics from his greatest fears to his most embarrassing moments.
On Fears and Regrets
Burke named his greatest fear as being stuck in the past, and the trait he deplores most in himself is rumination. In others, he dislikes outrage. He also shared that the internet makes him unhappy.
Embarrassing Moments
One of his most embarrassing moments involved a chocolate mousse incident with his agent. After someone had playfully shoved mousse in his nose, he later found himself in a French restaurant with a dessert trolley. When his agent asked about a strange smell, Burke impulsively shoved mousse in his agent's face. He immediately felt awful and apologized, but his agent claimed to find it funny, though Burke knew he didn't.
Three Words and More
Describing himself in three words, Burke chose 'steady, reaching, bewildered.' His most unappealing habit is taking the last item from a box and putting the empty box back. He would bring back the pager if he could revive something extinct.
Celebrity Crush and Guilty Pleasures
Burke's celebrity crush is Lauren Laverne, and his guiltiest pleasure is buying sunglasses. He overuses the word 'incidentally.'
Worst Job and Brush with Death
When asked about the worst job he has done, Burke replied, 'A movie. Does it have a name? It might do.' His closest brush with death was a running accident at age 14 or 15 when he fainted, and others thought he was joking, leaving him until he woke up in the hospital.
Legal Troubles and Sleepless Nights
Burke has twice missed jury service due to fringe plays, failing to open the court's responses. He stays awake at night feeling he didn't get time for creative work, only admin and rumination.
On Sex, Money, and Fame
He feels he doesn't need more of any of those three at the moment.
How He Wants to Be Remembered
Burke hopes to be remembered as reliable by a few close friends, noting he hasn't always been great friend material but has tried to improve.
On Death
He reflected that after a certain age, you know many dead people, and relationships with them continue, which he appreciates.
