Column22

My Tale of Two Soaps
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 , I 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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My Tale of Two Soaps
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 , I 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!

Back To:

Mary Beth's TV SOAP Column (Index)

The Written Word Articles Index

Home Page