For me, hour-long drama was always the thing I felt the most comfortable doing, and I've played so many dramatic roles in the theater.

It ultimately becomes an asset to be part of a theatrical family if, indeed, you're good at what you do.

I was lucky enough to be able to grow and mature in a natural way as an actress.

Beauty Queen' is the weirdest, strangest, and most perfect play to do before 'Hedda Gabler', because there are so many similar issues for Maureen and Hedda. I had played leading ladies before but couldn't really hook into them. After 'An American Daughter' and 'Beauty Queen', I had all the ballast.

I was completely naive about the business of being an actor. My family didn't go to the theater or to the movies. We watched television like every 1960s small-town American family, and I certainly never thought about being on TV. I thought I was going to be a classical actor in the grand tradition.

Parents should plant deeply the seed of the work ethic into the hearts and habits of their children.

Interesting things come your way but as you get older, your lifestyle changes. I don't want to travel; I don't want to be in a hotel room away from my family.

I was very quick; I did nothing but play the piano apart from being at school. I was at home with my mother, saying, 'Go out and get some fresh air.' No, I wanted to play the piano all the time I could. I was completely obsessed.