PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever had to do in a movie? “Nudity. That’s my form of dangling.” —PATRICIA CLARKSON

—ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY & MAUREEN DOWD

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done on a movie set? “I insisted on doing my own squealy wheel stunt in Crying Game, because [with] the stunt girl it wasn’t happening. I said, ‘You need the noise, you need that [makes squealing tires noise].’” —MIRANDA RICHARDSON

—HOLLY HUNTER

—MEG RYAN

Have you ever done something really klutzy at one of these formal red-carpet things? “I go to Cannes every year, and those steps are so terrifying. I hold my breath from the very first step to the top of the stairs at the Palais, because I just am terrified every year.” —KERRY WASHINGTON

—CHRISTINE BARANSKI

—PATRICK STEWART

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? “Hanging from the rafters at that one bed and breakfast was pretty crazy.” —VERA FARMIGA

—ANJELICA HUSTON

—HENRY KISSINGER

You play Wotan in the opera. What's it like to be suspended in the air attached to cables? “That was my body double. He’s half my body weight. I told him to go to Big Nick’s for a couple of evenings of burgers, but he hasn’t listened to me.” —BRYN TERFEL

—DEBORAH VOIGT

—BARBARA WALTERS

You play Alberich in the opera. How heavy is that costume? “It’s very heavy, and very hot. It’s all leather, and I’m soaking wet by the end of the night. Well, you know, while I’m in it it’s not a problem; you’re just so in the moment that you’re not really worried about it.” —ERIC OWENS (Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

—RUFUS WAINWRIGHT