A girl’s gotta eat! A demure southern waitress becomes a Daytime Superstar
March 1997
I always knew that I’d be an actor. I’ve worked my whole life, but I also had to eat. I wasn’t starving, but I was struggling. Balancing waitress jobs between plays at South Coast Repertory Theatre and small TV spots meant that I ate regularly.
When Michael and I got married, I was doing TV commercials, some episodic TV shows, and a few movies. I auditioned for Days the same day I applied for a job as a cocktail waitress! The restaurant called first. I told Michael: “Let me wait just one more day to hear from this ‘Days of our Lives’ thing. If they say no, I promise I’ll take this job.”
Days called and I grabbed it! I didn’t know it was a good career move…I needed the money. Days gave me a ‘normal’ life and working with Stephen Nichols was fun. When he left, Kayla’s character and storyline deteriorated.
I found out I was pregnant with my third child and all thoughts of career vanished. Shortly after, I was offered GH. I was three months post-partum and in lousy shape. But it seemed like a good idea, although playing a villain left me uncertain. On Days I was top banana, and on GH I was the dumpy new kid. The thought of playing an arrogant woman didn’t sit well.
I think of myself as kindly! Kayla was easy. With my Southern upbringing, I didn’t think I could pull it off. Then I thought, “Well I’m s’posed to be an actor.” I took it, and stunk for the first year!
One script had me telling Alan Quartermaine to shut up! Aghast, I asked the writers if it could be changed to, “be quiet.” No such luck. For the very first time, I told someone to shut up! Well, it felt so good, it changed my life!
I loved playing Kayla to Stephen’s “Patch”, but I know I can’t go back- that can’t be replicated, which is sad. We have a special chemistry I’ve missed so much. We are still friends and I arranged his GH interview (for Damian), but his obligations kept him from accepting.
I visited him one day and he looked fabulous. I immediately told GH’s producers he’d be an asset, but no. He escorted me to an awards night. I wanted people to see him healthy, fit, and with a new image. Then both the NY and LA heads of ABC fought over him!
I applaud GH for not jumping in with a Patch-and-Kayla reunion. When we did our first scene together, Stephen felt like crying ‘cos he was so happy we’re back together. That’s two of us!
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