Trailblazing stand up, Broadway star, talk show host, Hollywood film star. What hasn’t Rosie O’Donnell done?
At 63 she’s getting to the age when she should be a national treasure – but in January this year she moved to Ireland, so concerned was she about Trump’s America.
And now, unbelievably, she is making her Edinburgh Fringe debut – with a show about the events of the last few months.
“My show is a one woman show that I wrote after moving to Ireland. It’s about my mother and about one’s search for a home and family and what I have learned in my 63 years.
“It’s not straight stand up. It’s humourous stories from my life, some of which are sad and some of which are uplifting and beautiful.”
So how is Ireland so far? “I love Ireland. I have never regretted moving for one day. I am grateful and thankful that the people are so kind and welcoming and I feel very taken care of in this beautiful country.”
Working on her Fringe show, which is called Common Knowledge, has been a blessing. “When I came here to Ireland I didn’t have any plans, I didn’t have any jobs lined up, I didn’t have any friends here, I didn’t know anyone besides my two cousins. Having this job to focus on has been very helpful to me emotionally and mentally.
“I hope it has a longer life but I’ll be happy with whatever the reality ends up being.”
She’s expecting Edinburgh to be fun – full of people, full of chaos, full of theatre – which is her true love.
“I think the favourite part of my career has been Broadway. I love getting to know a cast and getting to do a run with the same people on a very difficult schedule of eight shows a week. Nothing is as thrilling to me as going to the opening night of a Broadway show or a West End show.”
Her heroines are Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Julie Andrews, Nora Ephron and Mary Tyler Moore – strong, intelligent, talented women who made their own destiny.
She believes entertainers – and comics in particular – should continue to speak up about politics, civil rights and the state of the world.
“Comedy is important. Comics are truth tellers.
“Historically societies depend on comedians to tell the truth about what’s going on in the world around us and they question leaders and encourage people to use their brains – to have different perspectives on what they are being told – especially at a time when the news and the truth seem to have let us down.
“I think comedy is vital to a society. Comedians are brave and they say things that most people are afraid to. They point out irony and inconsistencies and humourous aspects to humanity.
“Comedians have always had a central role in the public discourse.”
Becoming a political exile was not what she expected at this stage in life – but she’s facing the challenge full on.
“I’d like the audience to get to know me a bit better. I’m a 63-year-old woman. I’m not the 30-year-old from A League of Their Own, hanging with Madonna.
“I’m a grown woman with five children and some grandchildren and I want people to see me as I am now.”
She roars with laughter when I suggest people might be hoping to see the outrageous alpha lesbian she portrays on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
“Well, I have never beaten up anyone – I can tell you that. But if I was going to beat up anyone it would be the Larry David character.
“I love doing that show. Artistically it’s a dream. There’s no script – you improvise and follow Larry’s lead. I think it’s one of the best shows ever on television.
“I don’t think I am very similar to that character but that is for someone else to decide.”
Rosie O’Donnell: Common Knowledge, Gilded Balloon, 20:45, August 1 – 10
Tickets here:
