FILMMAKERS

Childhood ambition - To be an actor. I thought that I was coming to this choice "late" - I was eleven, because many of my friends wanted to be movie stars. I wanted to be a stage actress because I saw a lot of plays; my father was a theatre musician so I saw most musicals that came to town. When I was about thirteen, I became obsessed with film, especially silent film. Then I wanted to act onscreen, too.
Fondest memory - Picking violets with my mom in the back yard when I was 4 or so.
Soundtrack - The soundtrack to my life changes every few hours. Sometimes it's classical, sometimes English and American folk songs, sometimes the great American songs of the '20's, 30's and 40's. Right at this moment, it's all Rogers and Hart.
Retreat - I love the woods. Ever since I was a child, I'd go hang out in the woods. It's a little break from the rest of my life.
Wildest dream- A million dollars and a Hollywood contract. The Tony award before I'm 35 ain't gonna happen, because I'm 44.
Proudest moment - When my son Bobby, turned to me, while "sword fighting" with my husband and said, "Show me some moves, Mom."
Biggest Challenge - Not killing someone on a daily basis
Alarm clock - My 8-year-old son. That kid woke me this morning by bringing his new battery-operated target shooting game into my bed, resting the target on the pillow next to mine and firing.
Perfect day - Half alone and half with a big crowd of friends; the alone half: Reading totally alone, then eating and walking in the woods with my husband and son. Finally a big party where we all drink wine and sing.
First job - Working in a Jeans West store in Montgomery Mall the summer after high school and before college.
Indulgence - Hmm, it's a toss up between chocolate and make-up.
Last purchase - Besides groceries? An old movie, The Beachcomber, from Movies Unlimited. I saw it on TV years ago and wanted to see it again.
Favorite movies - There are too many to choose one! My favorite action/adventure: the 1940 Mark Of Zorro, my favorite silent: Broken Blossoms, My favorite psychological: the 1938 Dawn Patrol - it's NOT just a war movie! My favorite foreign: Third Shadow Samurai, My favorite comedy: Army of Darkness, My favorite period piece: Amadeus.
Inspiration - Lillian Gish. I actually met her when I was 13 or 14. I was a huge fan - my grandfather used to take me to the AFI to see her films - and she was so nice! She advised me that, if I wanted to be a success as an actress I was right to "start young." She'd been onstage from the age of 5 and working for D.W.Griffith from the age of 12. I felt as though I was way behind!
MY LIFE - I can't decide if it's a wild ride or a disaster unfolding really slowly.