News • 13 July 2003

On the spot... with Ruth Frendo

Ruth Frendo was the only Maltese actress to have appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator, partially shot in Malta. Ruth stepped into the shoes of a Roman prostitute for the role and was fortunate enough to have had two screen appearances with Russell Crowe. Involved in TV and radio and working at the Medical School, Ruth has an extremely busy life!What inspired you to become an actor?

I entered the world of acting simply by coincidence – or shall we call it destiny?! When I was around 18 years old, I was working as a secretary for an import/export food company and was in the process of printing out a very important report when suddenly my printer failed on me. I decided to save the report on a floppy and print it on another computer. I had barely stepped into the shop when two hooded men rushed in with revolvers and I basically found myself ‘involved’ in a hold-up. Although no one got hurt, this experience affected me, so I decided to try a new hobby just to take my mind off the hold-up. I applied for a course in drama and, lo and behold, I found myself literally in love with acting!

What emotions does acting instil in you?

I get really excited each time I am given a new script. As soon as I read the first line I start picturing myself doing the part. I start picturing people I know who have qualities that remind me of the character. The best part of acting is that with each character you portray you discover something new about yourself.

What are your future projects in TV & acting?

Unfortunately in this industry you have four seasons in a year, which means a programme or sitcom is only done for three months so I really don’t know what I’ll be doing next year. I am thankful that I had a really good year in which, together with my husband Charlo Bonnici (the actor), I was both producing and presenting a cultural programme. Apart from this, I was acting in "Ipokriti" and Charlo and I were also the drama-coaches for "F’Idejn l-Imhallef". I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be as busy as I was this year!

How did you become involved in TV?

The experience I had thanks to the small part I had in "Gladiator" helped me to get involved in TV.

Do you have a nick name?

To all my friends I’m Rutie!

If you ruled the world, what would you ban?

I would enforce very strict rules against people who are cruel, in any way, to animals.

What’s your biggest phobia?

Tuna fish and lifts.

If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?

I would seek out my friends to see what they are saying about me.

Your best friend would describe you as?

Loyal, stubborn and trustworthy.

The person you text the most is?

My three best friends – Conrad, Ignatius and Nathalie.

Someone hands you Lm10,000. What would you spend it on?

Either on a cruise-ship holiday or else on a painting.

If you wanted to impress a lover, what would you do?

I would wear a sexy dress, make sure that I look my best and then read him the poem I would have written especially for him.

What do you want to be remembered for?

For being a good friend.

What’s the worst insult one can throw at you?

Hypocrite – I just can’t stand back-stabbing and hypocritical people.

How would you describe yourself?

A good friend, loyal, stubborn – a typical Taurus.

Which movie or song best describes your life?

Most probably a medley of different songs…

Are you a coffee or a tea drinker?

Coffee and hot-chocolate drinker

What’s been the highlight of your life so far?

Getting married to the most wonderful person on the planet.

How old do you feel?

In the mornings over 80, after 10.00am around 18. (BTW my age is 24!)

What’s your best pick-up line?

Have we met before? (I know that it’s a boring one but I have been out of the dating scene for ages, so do forgive me.)

What are you like when you’re drunk?

I laugh a lot, so much so that people start laughing too!

Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

An extrovert.

Live long or live fast?

Live long (again a typical Taurus)

Tell us a recent dream.

I was walking in Bugibba and I saw a friend throwing up!

What’s the most bizarre thing you have ever eaten?

Pig’s brain
(As a treat, I eat uncooked dough…)

Are you good at keeping secrets?

Yes, extremely.

If you had a time machine, where would you go?

I had a fairytale-like childhood so I would probably relive it once again

If you could be a fictional/real character, who would you be?

Jessica Rabbit.

Do you believe in the supernatural?

Yes, especially in destiny and the after-life

You’re stuck in an elevator with strangers: what do you do?

I would drive them crazy as I’m claustrophobic!

Are you a workaholic?

Yes (sigh!)

What are you most afraid of?

Of being seriously sick and of seeing the people I love sick

Would you quit a job without having another one lined up?

Never

What’s your most embarrassing moment?

Emmm…. I really have a lot of embarrassing moments. My most recent one was in a discotheque when I grabbed a guy’s hand and started caressing it thinking that it was Charlo’s and then looked up just to see this stranger smiling back at me!