Stephen Colbert has a knack for getting to the heart of his guests, and his latest target was none other than the legendary Nicolas Cage. In a segment designed to go beyond the typical 15-minute interview, Colbert introduced the Colbert Questionert, a series of “penetrating questions” crafted by “data engineers” and an “AI system” to reveal a person’s true self. Cage, ever the good sport, was ready to be “known.”
The actor, on a press tour for his new film Renfield, delivered answers that were as unique and memorable as his on-screen performances.
On Food and Feelings
The first question cut straight to the chase: What’s the best sandwich? Cage didn’t hesitate, naming the Muffuletta sandwich as his favorite. He painted a vivid picture of its “juicy and tangy” olive dressing, provolone cheese, and soft bread—a description so detailed you could almost taste it.
When asked about his least favorite smell, his answer was surprisingly specific and hilarious: his wife’s pet Pomeranian’s “crap.” This candidness was a perfect example of the unfiltered persona the Questionert was designed to uncover.
Memories and Milestones
The interview took a nostalgic turn when Colbert asked about the first concert he ever attended. Cage recalled seeing The Who in San Francisco, a show that left him so “blown away” he couldn’t stay in his seat. He was particularly impressed when Roger Daltrey, in an unforgettable moment, spun his microphone and hit a cymbal “50 feet behind him.”
But perhaps his most profound response came when asked about his earliest memory. Cage shared a thought that he admits sounds “powerfully abstract”: he believes he can remember being in utero, seeing “faces in the dark,” which he speculates were vocal vibrations from his mother. It was a classic Cage answer—thoughtful, philosophical, and a little bit “far out.”
Life, Death, and Pet Peeves
The Questionert delved into bigger topics, asking the actor what he thinks happens when we die. Cage mused that the “electricity” that animates our bodies is eternal, and the “spark” continues on after death. It’s a hopeful thought from a man who has faced cinematic death more times than most.
He also settled the age-old debate of cats or dogs, definitively siding with cats. When asked to choose between a window or an aisle seat on a plane, he chose the aisle, citing his age and the need for easy access to the restroom.
For his favorite action movie, he bypassed his own extensive filmography and gave a nod to Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon. And when pressed to choose just one song to listen to for the rest of his life, he picked a truly unique and heartfelt choice: “Happy Birthday to You.” He explained his love for the tradition of making a wish and blowing out the candles, a ritual he needs to keep going.
The interview wrapped up with Cage’s five-word description of the rest of his life: Loving, compassionate, electric, effective, hilariously healthy.
Ultimately, The Colbert Questionert lived up to its promise. It gave the world a raw, humorous, and deeply personal look at the man behind the myth, proving that when it comes to Nicolas Cage, there’s always something new to learn.
