Occupation: Actress.
Birthday: Sept. 30, 1957.
Birthplace: Queens, New York.
Current home: Los Angeles.
Marital status: Married to Peter Marc Jacobson for 15 years.
People confuse me with: Laura San Giacomo.
Car: A black 1978 Buick.
Working on: Starring on “The Nanny,” on CBS-TV.
The last good movie I saw was: “The Joy Luck Club.”
The book I’ve been reading is: “The Bridges of Madison County,” by Robert James Waller.
Favorite performers: Barbra Streisand, John Lennon and John Malkovich.
Personal heroes: My parents. I’ve never met any other parents who come close, and if I have childrn, they’ll be my role models.
I’ve never been able to: Become fluent in a second language. I have the aptitude but not the time.
I’m better than anyone else when it comes to: Throwing dinner parties.
I’d give anything to meet: Bill Clinton.
The worst advice my mother ever gave me was: “Drink a malted every day.” I was underweight when I was 5, but I built up a lot of fat cells.
If I could change one thing about myself, I’d: Be less of a caretaker of other people. But it’s a double-edged sword: You get a lot of positive reinforcement, but you’re tired all the time.
My most irrational act: Getting my hair permed 10 years ago.
The worst time of my life: In one five-year period, my husband and I were victims of a violent crime, both his parents died of cancer and I underwent surgery for a benign breast tumor. We had to claw our way out of that downward spiral.
If I weren’t an actress, I’d: Own my own hairdressing salon.
Major accomplishment: My marriage. My husband and I have been together since we were 15, married since we were 21.
My most humbling experience: Being in a lot of movies that were bombs, like “Dr. Detroit,” “Cadillac Man” and “Gorp.”
When people first meet me: They’re impressed with my strength and intelligence because they’re not necessarily traits of the characters I play. It’s a pleasant surprise for them.
Three words that best describe me: Love, peace and joy.
