Patrick Stewart: ‘Hiding from bailiffs was a game’

Patrick Stewart used to hide from bailiffs as a child.

The ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ actor claims keeping out of sight of debt collectors became a big ”game” when he was a child because he was too young to realize his mother was suffering serious financial difficulties at the time.

Patrick told the April/May issue of AARP Magazine: ”Some of my earliest memories are of when a bill collector came to the door. My mother and I would hide behind the sofa and pretend we weren’t in. I thought that was a great game.”

The 73-year-old actor admits he still makes very sensible purchases even though his former cast mates wanted him to splurge his first big paycheck on more expensive items.

Patrick explained: ”During the second ‘Star Trek’ season, I bought a new car, excitedly drove it onto the lot, and all the other cast members asked, ‘What did you get?’ I said, ‘A Honda!’ They all threw up their arms and rolled their eyes.”

Despite growing up in poverty, Patrick was able to put a positive spin on his past struggles.

He mused: ”I realized I could use those feelings and not only would nothing bad happen, but quite good things might happen.”