I was born on November 26, in the first city west of the Mississippi, St. Louis, Missouri.
Being the fourth of what would become five children, I had a relatively carefree childhood. I attended Catholic schools from pre K through university: doing class plays, speech contests, debate and musicals.
When I finished a teaching certificate and a bachelor's in theatre, I thought it best to go for a masters degree. As much as I loved my undergraduate school I knew there were whole areas of theatre I had not explored. If I was going to be the best high school drama teacher possible, I had to know something about stage combat, period work, puppetry, opera, dance, makeup and more. I headed to the University of Minnesota.
It wasn't just their wonderful reputation that caught my interest but Minnesota was the state my great grandparents had settled in when they came over from Germany. The weather was also very cold most of the year, which I find invigorating.
Under the tutelage of the great Charles Nolte, my horizons expanded. Dr. Nolte exposed me to exciting experimental theatre, the great works of Wagner, and snippets from his personal diary during his years as a Broadway star.
It was this last aspect of his generosity that impacted me in ways I could not have imagined.
He had cast me as Eunice, the upstairs neighbor in Tennessee Williams' A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Then he surprised the whole Twin Cities by inviting his pal "Tom," AKA Mr. Williams, to see our university production.
As newspapers clamored for interviews, Mr. Williams stated, that the three young actresses (naming each of us in the production) were the "future of the American Theatre." A recommendation doesn't get much better than that.
Regional theatre directors came to see the show, and all of us were offered Equity contracts. I then spent six seasons at the Meadow Brook Theatre, just north of Detroit. Artistic Director, Terence Kilburn, the original Tiny Tim in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, gave me one fabulous role after the next. It was the greatest blessing a young actor could receive . . . Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, William Inge, Moliere and so many more.
During that time I also moved to New York, working at other resident theaters and in little hole-in-the- wall places known as Off-Off Broadway. I also became the first "large" model to be signed at the first agency featuring Large Models Only. I enjoyed a year of runway, print jobs and fit modeling. What a hoot.
As I was hitting my 30's, it occurred to me I might like to own a car or a house someday. That wasn't going to happen if I stayed in theatre. So I headed West.
My first miracle was that I got my first job with my first audition and was in Hawaii a few days later, shooting MAGNUM, PI. The downside of that was that I had to wear a Speedo bathing suit on national TV.
My second miracle was that I got my second job with my second audition. This time we shot THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO in the somewhat less glamourous locale of Barstow, CA.
After that, I settled into being another struggling actor in Hollywood. I use that term loosely as in truth, I've never had to struggle all that much. I got a "straight" job immediately, doing market research, providing me great flexibility and good pay. I acted, got involved in my church, did volunteer work, took classes and learned to love warm weather.
In January 1987, I decided to give up my "straight" job. It wasn't because I was doing so well with my acting but rather I had met the man I believed I would marry. I knew if I didn't drop the job I'd have no time to date him.
I married Tom Norris on May 7, 1988, in a little Catholic church in Hollywood, USA! That was a glorious celebration. Soon after we bought a 1905 home in a historic district of Los Angeles. We set about restoring it with every extra dollar we had.
Within two years Tom was diagnosed with severe chronic pain, having been over radiated for cancer years before I met him. After twenty-three years as an Air Force officer, he was medically discharged.
These last several years of learning to accept his suffering has tested our very cores. But we have triumphed. Our marriage and love are stronger than ever. True hardship can bring about true greatness. Tom is my hero.
And my career continues to flourish. I've worked with many wonderful people, who also inspire me. Some of my favorite work has been recurring on 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, appearing as Sophie in the Bonnie Hunt film, RETURN TO ME, playing the axe-weilding Norma on PASSIONS and of course, as "Gloria" in LIFE WITH BONNIE.
Life goes on. I'm as excited about being an actor today as I was my first season at Meadow Brook. I don't believe the world of education has suffered one bit in my absence. And every day, in some small way, I try to return the blessings that have so enriched my life.