by Louise Burke The Sunday Mirror, January 1st, 2006

Sunday Mirror : You played Ross and Monica Geller’s dad Jack in Friends, are you still in touch with the cast ?

Elliott Gould : I caught up with David Schwimmer when I was in London. I saw his play ‘Some Girls’ and he was very good. We don’t all hang out, but we have a good relationship. They’re all very friendly whenever I see any of them, especially Jennifer Aniston, she’s a doll.

SM : Was she your favourite ?

EG : Ha, no, I liked them as a group. They all worked brilliantly as a team, that’s why they were so successful. When the show came to an end it was emotional.

SM : And since, you’ve starred in The Simpsons.

EG : Oh yeah. It’s one of my highlights. I played myself and I lived next door to Krusty the Klown. It’s one little scene, but my kids were very happy about it.

SM : You have three children – a son from your marriage to Barbra Streisand and a son and daughter from your marriage to Jennifer Bogart. Do you and Barbra still speak ?

EG : Yes, we talk a lot. I’m devoted to our son, Jason Gould, who’s now 39. But Barbra and I have a good relationship, her husband Jim recently sent me a lovely note on my birthday. I saw her in Meet The Fockers, although it took me a long time to see it, which surprised my son. I wanted to see it impartially, not during the hype. And I saw it for what it is – an inane comedy. It’s hysterical.

SM : Do you still smoke ?

EG : I never smoked cigarettes, always cigars. But I stopped that quite some time ago now. I’ve also lost about 4 stone in the last year. I was introduced to a South African doctor by the Scottish actor Brian Cox, who I saw last year after he lost 4st 3lb. I decided to talk to the same guy. I now exercise and drink lots of water, too. I’m up by 3.30 am and in the gym for 5 am. Then I’m home by 8am to get on with the rest of my day. I prefer mornings to nights. I don’t need much sleep.

SM : Do you drink ?

EG : I don’t drink much, just the odd one for a special occasion. I’ve never had a problem with nor a great desire to drink. When I was filming in Belfast in Ireland, I met some cobblers. Every year, they would send me a bottle of Jamesons in a shoe box in the mail. I’d enjoy the odd glass of that. But they can’t send it to me now, because of new laws since the threat of terrorism. I don’t remember the last time I was drunk, although it doesn’t take much.

SM : We call that a cheap date in England.

EG : Oh, thats not very nice. I’m enthusiastic, so sometimes, I don’t need drink to feel drunk.

SM : You’re starring in ITV1’s Poirot: The Mystery Of The Blue Train tonight, What attracted you to the role ?

EG : The team I really enjoy working with a British crew. The producers had asked me to come over before but it meant filming in Egypt which I didn’t want to do, so when they asked this time, I said yes. I enjoy Agatha Christie’s novels and David Suchet is great.

SM : Was it fun working with George Clooney when you worked on Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve ?

EG : I’m very proud of George, I love George. He’s quite the human being. We first met in 1984 on the set of ER. He’s doing wonderful work, and I feel privileged to have worked with him. I’d like to consider him a friend. Working on the two films was like being part of a family. I know his dad Nick Clooney, who’s a very nice guy. He once told me I was a hero of his.

SM : Do you get embarrassed when people compliment you ?

EG : Sometimes. But its nice to think that my work has touched people’s lives. I think MASH had a great deal of influence on a wide audience, but I don’t dwell on compliments. My mother always told me I was impressionable. By that, I think she meant I was easily influenced. I like to think I have a good perspective on life now I’m older. I’m appreciative, not deluded.

SM : Do you worry about growing old ?

EG : It’s daunting to accept that I’m older, especially in relation to how I feel. It’s not that I feel like I’m a 21-year-old trapped in a 67- year-old’s body, I feel as old as I am now. I’m a very happy grandfather. My daughter Molly has two children, a six-year-old and a one-year-old. But as far as age is concerned, my philosophy is that were all the same age, just some of us have been here longer than others.

SM : What’s been your worst job ?

EG : I’ve been an elevator operator, but I actually enjoyed it. I was working in an apartment hotel in New York and worked from midnight until 8 am. I never think one job is more significant than the other, it’s all work.

SM : Are you vain ?

EG : Yes, but I embrace modesty as much as I can. Of course, I look in the mirror every now and then – maintenance is important.

SM : Do you have any phobias ?

EG : I used to be afraid of the dark. I couldn’t sleep at night. I used to cover my head with the sheets rather than keep the light on. It was more to do with fear of the unknown.

SM : Bath or showers ?

EG : I take showers. But a bath is a luxury. My favourite all-time bath was at The Savoy Hotel in London. I like a good tub, salts and fluffy towels. I don’t bother with music or candles. I mean, I’m all for sexual stimulation and fantasy, but as far as baths go, I like to keep it simple.

SM : When was the last time you cried ?

EG : I cry a lot, but I dont remember the last time. I don’t cry because I’m sad, but because I’m moved. Things touch me, like family.

SM : Can you cook ?

EG : Yes. I’m eating a lot of halibut at the moment. When I’ve finished this interview, I’m going to make an egg white omelette with vegetables.

SM : That’s very LA.

EG : Oh come on, you mean to say you guys in England eat the yolks ? They’re full of cholesterol. I love the lot, but it’s not very good for you. I used to go to a pub in London called The Cock And Bull for eggs and beans, I love them. But I try to control what I eat and I try to steam things. I don’t cook fancy, but healthy.

SM : What was your last splurge ?

EG : I’ve just bought a new car for myself for the first time ever. I’ve bought cars for the family, but I don’t like spending money on myself. I’ve just bought a Honda Civic with no frills. I don’t care about cars, I just want them to perform.

SM : Do you have a New Year’s resolution ?

EG : Well, I buy sweets to send to my grandchildren, and I normally eat them before I get round to sending them. So maybe I should make a resolution to stop eating the sweets ? Maybe I should just stop buying them, because the temptation to eat them is too big.

SM : What’s the last thing on your mind before going to bed ?

EG : The welfare of the family.

SM : When did you last take a holiday ?

EG : I don’t. I get to travel a lot with my work. I’m learning to live at home in LA as I don’t get to spend so much time here. I have a modest apartment and office. I’d love to say I have a home in the Rockies, a ranch in Canada, and a little pied-à-terre in New York, but I don’t.

ELLIOTT’S REALITY CHECK

SM : Do you do your own washing ?

EG : Yes. I have a housekeeper come in once every other week or so. But I wash in between her visits.

SM : When was the last time you travelled on public transport ?

EG : I always take the subway and bus when I’m in New York. It’s great because I talk to people. On the bus people recognising me, it can be a little daunting.

SM : Do you fly economy or first class ?

EG : When I’m flying for work, I go first class. When I fly to Oakland from Los Angeles to see my family, I fly economy. I don’t mind. Now I’m not as large, I can fit into economy chairs.

SM : Have you ever worn sunglasses inside ?

EG : Sometimes. My sunglasses are bifocals, so I can use them for reading as well. Sometimes I won’t wear them inside, because I’m sensitive to what other people think.