Constance Zimmer is finding her latest series role both “Legal” and fun.
The former “Entourage,” “In Justice” and “Good Morning, Miami” regular applies her distinctively raspy voice and take-no-prisoners persona as new law-firm member Claire Simms on “Boston Legal” Tuesday on ABC. With roughly a dozen episodes of the show under her belt, she’s still pinching herself over working with an acting dream team that includes William Shatner and Candice Bergen.
“I was very, very nervous because of the caliber of the actors,” Zimmer admits, “and also because of David E. Kelley (‘Ally McBeal,’ ‘The Practice’) being the creator. The highest compliment people have given me is that I seem like I’ve been there from the start; you never want to look awkward among others who are so comfortable in what they do.”
Zimmer previously had auditioned for Kelley for “Boston Public.” He didn’t create Claire with her in mind, but she has been able to bring her personal traits into the role.
“All I got was that this was a tough broad from New York, sarcastic and dry. I laugh about that all the time. Apparently, I’m really good at playing that, but I think I couldn’t be farther from that in real life. Maybe because I’m not that, you can see her softer side come through.
“You’re allowed to go farther and not feel you’re going over the top,” Zimmer adds. “The set is fun to be around, because everybody’s just having such a great time. There isn’t the seriousness you might find (in making) a one-hour drama, even though we’re all playing lawyers who are trying things like murder cases.”
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Birthdate: Oct. 11, 1970.
Birthplace: Seattle.
Current residence: Los Angeles.
Marital status: Single.
Other television credits: “Babylon 5,” “Ellen,” “Seinfeld,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Felicity,” “The King of Queens,” “Hyperion Bay,” “The X-Files,” “The Trouble With Normal,” “Providence,” “Gideon’s Crossing,” “The Fighting Fitzgeralds,” “Philly,” “Mystery Woman,” “Good Morning, Miami,” “NYPD Blue,” “Jake in Progress,” “Joan of Arcadia,” “Out of Practice,” “In Justice,” “Entourage.”
