Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon intimidated us all because she walked in and was going to be the dance captain. She was a great star, but she loved that kind of work as his assistant.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
To go back to visit the early days with Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, when she was the dance captain of 'How to Succeed,' and finding them again 25 years later and working with them on 'Charity.' That was really great fun.
I think it kind of took being a character actor to kind of now enter into leading ladies.
I was supposed to have a relationship with Judy, but that never happened. Actors in series didn't have the control that they have today over their jobs.
I think of myself more as a character actor than that ingenue leading lady, who started out something like Michelle Pfeiffer, or Jessica Lange. I'm a bit quirkier than that.
There were many good actresses in my time like Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds, but I was the only dancer.
I was a youngster looking up to dudes like Vicky McClure, Joe Dempsie and Michael Socha - in fact, he was a big influence on how I was able to detach drama from the all-singing, all-dancing stigma.
In N.Y.C., I auditioned for mostly 'quirky friend' roles. Since casting directors in L.A. lacked a preconceived notion of me, I was able to reinvent my type a bit, which was essential in booking the role of Amanda on 'Ugly Betty.' I don't believe I would have auditioned for that role in N.Y.
The director, of course, was Bob Fosse. But again, I worked with my father to prepare for the role.
I had the great good fortune to interview Peggy Lee. Her memories of working with Walt Disney and his team were warm and upbeat.
I went on an audition. I walked in the room, and it was Leslie Mann with Judd Apatow. It was intimidating.