ALAN CUMMING UNPACKS HIS LIFE
When you’ve enjoyed a fully packed life, titling your memoir Baggage (Oct. 26, Dey Street Books, $28) makes perfect sense. So leave it to stage, film and TV star Alan Cumming to cram into his new book fascinating tales of performing in Broadway’s Cabaret, working with director Stanley Kubrick and the Spice Girls and hanging with pal Liza Minnelli.
“I don’t really like to dwell on the past,” says Cumming, 56. “But I wanted to pass along how I’ve grown from certain challenges.” The Scottish actor, now touring with his oneman stage show, shares more with Parade. —Mara Reinstein Why write about this chapter in your life? [My 2014 memoir] Not My Father’s Son was so much about the trauma of my childhood. This time, I wanted to share behind the scenes of my Hollywood life without it being a tell-all.
Did it require some research on your part? My journal reminded me how many people I met during Cabaret [on Broadway 1998–99]. All these legends like Gregory Peck and Arthur Miller came backstage—it’s like I was in the middle of two distinct times in culture. Crazy!
Which projects are fan favorites? People are obsessed with Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion [1997]. I’m also a magical figure because of [2001’s] Spy Kids, which is part of people’s childhoods. It’s such an honor to have movies that are iconic and have an effect on people. I don’t take that lightly.
Which roles really changed your perspective? My time on The Good Wife [2010–16, as political consultant Eli Gold] changed my life because I played a middle-aged man in a suit! And I am a middle-aged man! But I don’t feel my age. And who decides what acting your age is? I imagine people with clipboards telling you to start wearing cardigans.
You’ve had a lot of adventures with Liza Minnelli. Do you still talk? We do. I texted her a little video the other day of my travels in Scotland! She loves my dog, Lala. When I visit her, we sit on her bed and laugh. It’s a lovely and great connection.