Is this it?

'I didn't respond well to fame' ... David Schwimmer. Photograph: Jonathan Hayward/AP Photograph: Jonathan Hayward/AP

What's new pussycat?

I directed some Little Britain USA episodes for HBO and I directed an off-Broadway play in New York called Fault Lines with Josh Lucas and Noah Emmerich who I think totally steals the film Pride And Glory. I finished my first screenplay which will hopefully be the next thing I direct. And then I'm reprising my role as Melman the giraffe in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

Can your monkey do the dog?

I have no idea what that means but I'll say yes. I love dogs. I don't have one right now but I really want to get a puppy.

They shoot horses, don't they?

When I was six years old, my parents took me to this farmers' market with a petting zoo. They put me on a pony and, for some reason, it took off at a run and they had to chase it down. They tell me it was kind of traumatic.

Did you pray today?

No. But I'd say I'm spiritual. I can't really elaborate. That's private.

How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?

Well, I would like to believe that people get what they deserve in life but that's not the reason I do acts of random kindness. Being generous or doing things for others actually makes me feel good so I don't do it because I hope karma will come round and get me and I'll benefit from it. But I do believe it kind of works out that way, or it has, at least for me.

Are you being served?

I think that means different things in different countries but I guess I am being served, yes.

What is hip?

Knowing yourself and expressing it is hip. I think knowing yourself is the real journey, for me anyway. I think that's why I keep working because in each project I choose I try to learn another aspect of myself. It's hard to justify that with Madagascar 2. That's really just for the fun of it more than anything. It's a blast. But that's how I see life: a journey that will hopefully last a good amount of time. It's all about interactions with people and learning as much as you can about the world and yourself while you're here.

Ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn't've)?

I did fall for a girl who was my friend but I'd say that was more of a "should have".

When will I be famous?

I didn't respond well to fame. It didn't take. And I'm perfectly happy taking a break from it. I feel like, "OK, well that was interesting. Been there, done that." The interesting thing was it stripped me of any desire for any more fame. I can't imagine what life must be like for the really big stars today. It's always been a struggle for me to try to not let it affect me. I'm always tenaciously trying an approximation of normalcy. I know I won't ever have it really but as much as I can. If you start living on this other planet, especially as an actor, you lose what it's about.

Who needs to dream?

We all do, don't we? Biologically speaking, they say that we must dream.

What are you doing for the rest of your life?

I hope to keep acting, directing, writing, producing television, theatre, film. I'll do it as long as I can, as long as I still want to. I'd like to travel more, too. I've never been to Africa or India. I've never been to most of the world.