~SPECIAL FEATURE- RACHEL LINDSAY GREENBUSH~

 
                                                                    MY INTERVIEW WITH RACHEL GREENBUSH

Hi Rachel, thanks so much for joining us.  You are most known for portraying Carrie Ingalls on the popular “Little House on the Prairie”. Tell us what that was like?

Thank you for having me. Playing Carrie Ingalls was a lot of fun but also a lot of work

Any projects that you are working on now?

I just finished performing in the "Vagina Monologues" and I will be playing Mrs. Harper in "A Shortstop Away" which is in pre-production

What’s the most memorable guest star on LHOTP that you can recall?

 My goodness there were so many wonderfully talented Actors and Actresses. Ray Bolger would be one along with Dub Taylor, Johnny Cash, Forrest Tucker and Patricia Neal ans so many more.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

 I love to garden and Barbecue or go trail riding with my husband or ride dirt bikes in the desert. 

What advice would you give to child actors and their parents?

To the Parents protect you child, they get exposed to an adult world at a very young age.

To Children always get an education and have a multiple career possibilities outside of the entertainment industry. Learn more than just what to do in front of the camera learn the operations behind it to. There were episodes that Michael wrote, Directed, Starred in and was executive producer.

What actor or project would you like to do in the future?

I would love the opportunity to be in a play or musical production

Your twitter bio says, “sports fan”. Tell is about that?

I grew up competing in equestrian events but I also love Football and follow the Denver Broncos. I can appreciate the commitment hard work and dedication it takes to get to any professional level in sports, I don't follow them as much but I enjoy watching the Golden State warriors as well

What got you into acting?

My Father is a well known actor and a casting agent was looking for twin girls the same age that my sister and i were at the time

Thanks again for joining me. It’s been my pleasure and honor. I wish you the best!

Thank you and all the best to you as well.

~SPECIAL FEATURE-MARIANN AALDA~

            SPECIAL FEATURE-MARIANN AALDA

What are you up to now?

Well, after being based in Chicago (my hometown) for the last three years, and in New York City for several years prior to that, I’m getting ready to make a big move back to Los Angeles, where I lived and worked for more than 20 years.

Why did you leave LA…and why are you moving back?

I moved away when the television industry moved away from me!   I was in my mid-50’s when the phone stopped ringing.  And it wasn’t just that casting directors stopped calling me…most women over 50 pretty much disappeared from both the large and small screens.  But the reason I’m moving back, is because there’s been a change in the culture…and I can once again see a place for me on TV. 

Last year, AARP Studios did a profile on me for their #DisruptAging campaign, as a representative of the Positive Aging movement.

( https://www.aarp.org/disrupt-aging/stories/disruptors/info-2017/mariann-aalda-career-reinvention-video.html )

The last of the Baby Boomers – over 76 million of us in the U.S. – are now over the age of 50. And according to the 2017 U.S. Census, 90.7 million Americans aged 50 and older account for 41.6% of all consumer spending…and they watch television 63% more than do Millenniums.

What brought about doing comedy?

I actually began my career in New York as a sketch comedy writer and performer with Off-Center Theatre and later toured with the Boston-based improv troupe, The Proposition. But after I started getting recognition as one of the few African-American soap opera heroines – playing DiDi Bannister on Procter & Gamble’s EDGE OF NIGHT on ABC – people tended to forget that I had ever done comedy.

That changed, though, in 1984, when Edge (which was produced in New York) was cancelled and I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in prime-time television.

I guest-starred on a ton of sitcoms, playing a wide variety of characters, most notably – and probably the most diametrically opposite – recurring as Meshach Taylor’s yuppie-from-hell girlfriend, Lita Ford, on DESIGNING WOMEN (http://youtu.be/HnSZeyzEwbU )

and as Sherman Hemsley’s ditzy stripper girlfriend, Lois Keller, on FAMILY MATTERS.

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7_Hv3u8OZw&sns=em )

I was also the wife or girlfriend to leading men Ernie Hudson, Dennis Haysbert, Clifton Davis and O.J. Simpson and played opposite comedy luminaries Mo’Nique, Kirstie Alley, John Ritter and Robert Guillaume. I was also a series regular  on the CBS sitcom, THE ROYAL FAMILY as the boomerang daughter of Redd Foxx and Della Reese.

realize that casting older actors and telling our stories – instead of just keeping us on the sidelines and incidental to the plot – is good business. It’s an exciting time…and I’m ready to get back into the game!

You’ve had quite an illustrious career, so far! Who would you like to work with that you have not? 

Donald Sutherland and Viola Davis…which probably seems like an odd pairing, but I think they’re both really interesting actors and I feel I could learn a lot from them.

What was your toughest role?

Being unemployed! And that is not a glib answer.  Actors are creative people.  When an actor isn’t working, it’s all too easy to turn all that pent up creativity into negative energy, causing depression.  That’s why I went back to my comedy writing and started creating and producing projects for myself, including standup ( www.FunnyColoredWomen.com );  a 25 episode improv comedy web series ( www.TalkToMeGinger.com ), and a 70-minute solo show

( www.OccupyYourVagina.com )...which, by the way, is available on DVD at the show’s website!

What would be your dream role?

I’d like to be a series regular, again, in an ensemble comedy. I’m actually developing something with Ted Lange (Isaac from LOVE BOAT) that is absolutely hilarious. It would be great if that got picked up!  Other than that, I’m an actor-for-hire.  I love acting – comedy OR drama – and I’ll go wherever the work takes me, including another soap. 

What advice would you give to up and coming actors or comedians?

A lot of young people came of age during the era of Reality TV and they just want to be stars.  But for those who are serious about acting – either drama or comedy – I’d say: “Learn your craft; be persistent; be patient; learn your lines; be on time; be polite; be a team player; develop your own projects instead of waiting for somebody to hire you…and most importantly, NEVER give up!” 

~SPECIAL FEATURE~

MY INTERVIEW WITH TRACY MELCHIOR

Welcome Tracy and thanks for joining me!

What brought you into acting? 

I moved schools half way through 7th grade.  The only elective class that wasn't full was drama.  I was horrified.  New school and I had to act!  It was  a blessing in disguise.  I loved it. Then my stepdad had a morning talk show called AM Colorado.  I would go when he had actors on as guests and I just started learning about it as a profession and getting the bug.

What would you have done if you didn’t go into acting?  

When I went to Colorado State University I wanted to be a lawyer.  But when my tuition became an issue I fell back to acting since I didn't need a degree.  They are similar.  They both are about studying what makes people tick and finding clues. Both are about painting a picture to an audience or jury to provoke emotion.

Would you go back to B&B or any other soaps including digital? 

 I love soaps.  They have been very good to me.  Especially as a mom.  The Bold and The Beautiful was very supportive and allowed us to bring our kids to work.  I dig that!

It says in your Instagram bio that you are a hockey fan? 

 It is my favorite sport.  My oldest son has been on the Jr. Ducks since he was 6, he is 17 now.  He has won State 2X.  He has been lucky to have some wonderful former NHL players as coaches, such as:  Craig Johnson, Dave Bassegio and Todd Marchant.

Tell us about the documentary that you are working on and why. 

 My husband is a 29 year veteran police officer, 16 of those years on LAPD SWAT.  My father is a retired Florida cop.  In 2016 when the officers were ambushed in Dallas it rocked me to my core.  The thought that these officers as well as others sitting in their cars could just be sucker punched that way by the same people the officers would have run to help if they called them.  It makes me sad for both sides of this conflict.  It serves noone to have no trust in our law enforcement.  I received an email from Roma Downey and her signage at the end said" Light a Candle don't curse the darkness"  It inspired me to do something to shed some light on the subject.

Any other projects in the works? 

 I am translating my book Breaking the Perfect 10 to a screenplay with a co-writer.  

Thank you again, Tracy.  All the best to you! 

~TALK TO ME TUESDAY-MY INTERVIEW WITH JILLIAN CLARE~

                                                                                                        MY INTERVIEW WITH JILLIAN CLARE

First off, congratulations on directing “To the Beat”. What was that like?

It was so much fun! I was definitely a little nervous, this being my first time directing, but once I got my feet in the water, it was a blast! I loved it so much and I can’t wait to be behind the camera again!

When was that moment that made you realized you wanted to become an actor?

When I was very little, six or seven, I had a touring one woman production up in the Pacific North West, where I’m from. It was a thirteen song show, and I did it because I loved singing. A talent scout saw one of my shows and asked my parents if I’d ever considered acting, and of course Didn’t really know what that was. So I took an acting class, and that was it. I knew right then and there that I’d be doing this for the rest of my life.

Is there anyone in the future you would like to work with that you haven’t?

Oh man….that is a VERY long list. I’d love to work with the Duplass brothers, Greta Gerwig, Darren Aronofsky, Kate Winslet, Robert Downey Jr., Natalie Portman, John Cusack, Tom Hanks, Shonda Rhimes, Baz Luhrmann, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese…the list really just goes on for a mile. I’m so inspired by so many people in our industry. I can’t wait to be able to work with the people I’ve looked up to for so long.

Any projects in the works?

My new film :Pretty Broken” is set to premiere at The Newport Beach Film Festival May 1st! From there, it’ll go to other festivals until distribution! I just signed on to star and produce a new film called “Roasted”! It’ll be my first lead role in a romantic comedy, which is super exciting! I have a few other scripts in development as well.

What shows are you watching these days?

Everything! I mean, major binge watcher. If there’s a new show on Netflix, I binge it within a week of it’s release. I like to stay in the know and see what others are creating! But the show I’ve watching since season one that is still on is Grey’s Anatomy. Can’t stop watching that show!

I am so excited for Ladies of the Lake season two. What can we expect?

A lot of surprises! This year starts off with a major bang and it only gets crazier from there! The new cast members were so much fun and really brought it! The overall feel and style has changed too - it’s darker and more cinematic. I can’t wait for it to be released!

~SPECIAL FEATURE-MY INTERVIEW WITH THE BAY'S ERIC NELSEN~

MY INTERVIEW WITH ERIC NELSEN

Hi Eric and welcome!

Tell us about your character on “The Bay”

My character Daniel Garrett has seen a big transition the last two seasons. He has had to come to terms with his sexuality all the while alienating himself because of it. He was terrified because of his Christian faith, that the way he felt was wrong and sinful. He battled with what he felt and what he was taught is right. His turmoil and then transformation is seen throughout the newly released season 3 on Amazon. I know the story line will impact and relate to a lot of peoples lives. It has been a dream to play. 

What was your experience like on AMC?

I have nothing but incredible stories from working on AMC. It was my first contracted series regular role on daytime television so a job that will always hold so much meaning in my heart and career. It was like entering into a family. The cast dynamics, relationships and trust that had been developed over the years between the cast was transparent to me on day one. I felt blessed to have been able to call them my own and I hope we can all do it again sometime.  

Would you ever consider doing daytime?

Yes, I would. I try not to limit myself in this career. I consider myself extremely grateful for any roles that come my way. If I feel an attachment to a character or story, I will dive right in...regardless of TV class or genre. 

Do you have any other projects lined up?

I do. I am currently working on season 4 of 'The Affair' for Showtime. It is an incredible show, one I am having a blast working on. We've been shooting in Montauk, NY...which happens to be one of the most beautiful places in the country. So it's a bit of a dream come true. 

In addition to 'The Affair', I've got a VERY scary horror movie going to be released in the coming months. It stars Academy Award nominee, Mickey Rourke and myself. Keep an eye out for "Nightmare Cinema." It will scare the pants right off you! 

Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?

Not since birth but definitely since a young age. I started working as a professional actor at the age of 13. When my family and I moved to NYC from south Florida. I actually started off as a competitive dancer which eventually led me into acting and then singing. I got a chance to star on Broadway with Ariana Grande when I was 17 in a musical called '13 the Musical'. I did plays and musicals throughout my teenage years and then developed my passion for TV/film acting. Now I am hooked in the tv/film world but would like to return to Broadway again in the future. 

What actor would you like to work with that you haven’t yet?

My little brother, Matt Gumley. Him and I have both been professional acting for 10+ years but have NEVER gotten the chance to work off of each other. The closest we ever got was both getting cast in an episode of a crime drama for CBS back in 2012 (The show was called 'NYC 22') but none of our scenes were together. IT WILL HAPPEN. I can't wait for that day. Hopefully it will be soon

Thanks so much Eric for joining me!

~SPECIAL FEATURE~ MY INTERVIEW WITH FAYE FOLEY

MY INTERVIEW WITH ACTRESS/MODEL

FAYE FOLEY

Thank you so much Faye for joining me.

For those who do not know, please tell us who your famous great grandmother was.

My great grandmother is Agnes Nixon, sometimes referred to as the "queen of daytime  drama”. She created iconic soap operas including All My Children, One Life To Life, and Loving and worked with many more. She was also an incredible social activist and a feminist before either really had titles. She brought awareness to important issues like racism, gay rights, women’s health, poverty and much more through her writing and the characters and storylines she created. She was also an incredible great grandmother who  taught me more life lessons just through her being than anyone ever has or could. She was the most generous person I have ever known and never asked for anything in return. I miss my Aggie every day and love her dearly.

You are an actor/model. Any projects you can tell us about?

I just shot an exciting beauty campaign for a very well known company but I can’t really talk about it yet.

This spring I worked on a film called “The Darkest Minds” starring Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore, and Gwendoline Christie and directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson. It is based on a captivating Young Adult novel about kids fighting for their basic freedoms in a dystopian not- so -far- off future. I played the lead character (played by Amanda’s) best friend. It was such an honor to get to meet and work with Amandla, an actress I have long admired and Jennifer who worked on the Kung-FU Panda movies which I love. Th talent involved with this film is tremendous and I am thrilled to be part of it. It will be in theaters September of 2018 and I am counting the days. I think its going to be a huge hit!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

When I’m not working on a project or audition I’m either at school, doing homework or chores or hanging out with friends or my dog.

I also like to hula hoop and practice aerial arts, martial arts and archery.

What actor would you like to work with in the future?

I absolutely adore Will Ferrell and think it would be so fun to work with him. I think I have seen every movie he’s been in.

What shows do you watch right now?

I just finished watching "The Handmaid’s Tale". I hadn’t read the book so I was pretty shocked by the intense plot and almost couldn’t stomach it at times. But the acting was extraordinary and the cinematography stunning. I also have been watching “That 70’s show" a lot. I find it pretty relatable to being a teen these days and I also got to meet Kurtwood Smith who plays the dad while working onABC’s  “Resurrection”  where he also played the dad. He was super sweet and it makes it even more fun to watch. If I'm going to watch TV or film I comedy is usually my first choice but I’ve actually lived off the grid for most of my life with no television. I’ve been making up for it a bit the past year or two though. 

Any advice for any up and coming actors?

I would tell them to take risks. There are so many variables to being cast that are out of the actors control that you might as well be memorable. That way even if you don’t get the part you may be thought of for a different one. Push yourself to take on various characters, emotions, and choices with interpreting the script rather than type casting yourself and sticking to what feels most comfortable. That way you can keep growing in your craft.

Thank you once again for joining me Faye.

All the best to you!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support!

MY INTERVIEW WITH DARLENE TEJEIRO

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> Hi Darlene! Thanks so much for joining me.
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> Tell us how Daytime has impacted you.

   All My Children was my first professional acting job. I'm so grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful ensemble. The first year on the show was incredibly rewarding as I learned a great deal on how to deal with memorizing an enormous amount of dialogue within a short period of time.
But most importantly, To have the opportunity to delve into the emotional and psychological  life of a character (Anita Santos) on a daily basis is in essence why I'm an Actor. To explore the complexes of human behavior, and to create her inner life through me with truthfulness and authenticity. Thank you "All My Children" thank you "Anita Santos" for allowing me to create a character I will always cherish and love.
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> What actor that you haven’t worked with yet, would you want to star with.

I would love to work with Kiefer Sutherland. He's an extraordinary talent. His work is truthful, intense...never a false moment. I've watched all his films! Including ,"The Lost Boy's" I think I was around 12 years old when it was playing in the theaters. l was truly obsessed. I think I saw "The Lost Boys" around 20 or so times.
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> If you weren’t an actor, what would you do for a living?

I don't want to think about it! Lol. I don't believe I would be anything else. If I was born today? I would still grow up to be an actor.
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> Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Daydreaming with a little glass of wine.

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> Would you ever consider doing daytime again? 

Yes!!! In a heart beat!! 

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> What advice would you give to up and coming actors? 

Do not listen to the naysayers! Do not look for validation from anybody! Do not get off your path because of someone else! Stay on your train and DO NOT GET OFF!!! Work on your craft! Be consistent. Stay persistent!
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> Thank you again for joining me!
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