Swimming Upstream
"Your career is at the bottom of the ocean with no boat and no oar." I cannot stop running that statement through my head, even though it happened 20 years ago. That's how long it's been since I quit the business. My old manager said that to me on our last meeting, at my last Hollywood lunch at the last time I believed I could ever be an actress. In fact, as he was saying that to me, the waiter was handing me my leftovers in a tin-foil wrapped package shaped like a goose. Some things you never forget. We had wrapped "Mr. Belvedere's" sixth and final season years before this lunch and I had done two low budget movies, a play at the Tiffany Theater in L.A. and three national commercials for Kelloggs, Wendy's and Nike. That wasn't enough. That manager was an jerk. I never realized until 20 years later the impact that statement had on me. That line echoes through all my dreams, when I get insecure, scared, hopeful, etc. Of course, I'll mention it when I'm giving my Academy Awards … Read More