Source: Marie Claire
Date: January 1999 issue

WHAT'S SEXY

HANK AZARIA

The actor/comedian is set to star in Cradle Will Rock, with John Cusack, Emily Watson, and Susan Sarandon, and Mystery Alaska, a comedy written by David E. Kelley.

What three qualities make a woman sexy?

Well, let's face it, men are visual creatures. . . Aside from that stuff, I'd say it's 1) willingness, and not just sexual willingness, but emotional openness, 2) self-confidence, combined with 3) nurturing. These last two together make someone who is caring and compassionate, without giving herself away completely-- I find that incredibly attractive.

What makes a woman not sexy? What do you consider a turnoff?

Whining and complaining. Too much makeup also gives me the willies.

Who is the sexiest woman you know?

Definitely my sweetie [Helen Hunt]. And not just because I'm supposed to say that. The more I know her, the sexier she gets--intimacy is an incredible turn-on.

Who is the sexiest woman you would like to know?

Easy, Steffi Graf. She's an insane combination of femininity and althleticism. Plus, she kinda looks like my sweetie.

What is the sexiest movie moment you've ever seen?

It's more various scenes from different movies that come to mind. There's a scene in The Big Easy where Dennis Quaid is getting Ellen Barkin off while chatting with her. That made a big impression on me. I'll also never forget when Malkovich so coldly seduced Uma Thurman in Dangerous Liaisons. It's always hard to ignore Marilyn Monroe, her voice more than anything. In It's A Wonderful Life, when Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed are sharing a phone so they can both hear their friend through the earpeice. As they listen, just the nearness of each other makes them both break down and weep with desire and longing, until Jimmy Stewart drops the phone and grabs her and kisses her, all the whole protesting, "I don't want to fall in love!" There's nothing titillating about it and it's the sexiest thing I've ever seen on film.

What's the sexiest thing a woman can wear?

A big, crazy, elaborate hat. I'm kidding. I don't know, that's so different for every individual woman. I can't pick. Why choose when you don't have to?

What was the first thing you found sexy in a girl, and why? How old were you?

It was the way Julie Newmar's catwoman costume fit her--for obvious reasons. I don't think I realized I found it sexy, but, in retrospect, I definitely did. I was 6.