Q&A with Elizabeth #3 (February 20, 2005)

 This interview is exclusive to Elizabeth Hendrickson Online, please don't reproduce elsewhere! Thanks!

You are a role model and inspiration to so many people. What’s it like to know you touch other people’s lives?

To think that I am a role model and an inspiration is one of, if not the best compliment I have ever recieved. When I auditioned for the role of Frankie the main reason I took it was because I would be a part of a challenging and controversial storyline, however I never expected to make an impact on viewers at this level....the responses and stories I have heard from fans is outstanding. To think I saved lives, helped someone come out or simply made someone look at being gay/bisexual in a more positive way warms my heart and makes me want to continue to take risks in my career and reach out to my audience.

What sort of stuff do you do during your off time?

Now that I have a dog I love going to parks and dog runs and playing with Nessi....she's my new best friend. Nothing makes me happier than a good meal with a close friend, going to the theatre with my mother in NYC, spending hours in Barnes and Noble, having coffee and a cinnamon Brioche at my favorite bakery, shopping, going to the beach, and traveling.

If you could switch places with anyone in the world for just one day who would it be and why?

I would switch with Oprah, not because she is the richest woman in the world but the most fortunate. Her life and accomplishments amaze me, she gets the most out of life from helping others and I want to know what it feels like at that capacity.

What are the most difficult scenes you've filmed on AMC and why? You are amazing and I love to watch your work.

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy watching my work, I wish I could say the same...lol. I think the hardest scenes for me are sex scenes and thankfully I only had to do it several times. The first kiss with Eden was also very difficult because we had been waiting so long for it to happen so I wanted it to be the best it could be. The second kiss was a piece of cake and we had lots of fun and felt more comfortable the second time around.

How difficult is it to pull yourself out of character once your scenes are shot? And vice versa, is it very easy to slip into your role before shooting? Just curious, because you completely own the character of Maggie, you make it look so easy and I'm positive it's probably not. Major kudos.

Playing Maggie is just great fun for me because I try to be as natural as I possibly can, if anything I just try to be myself so maybe thats why it appears as if I "own" my character. When I played Frankie it was much different and I had more preparation before I started scenes. It was more difficult to go in and out of character with Frankie, Maggie just came naturally.

What's the best lesson you learned from working on AMC?

Never take your job for granted. I was very fortunate to have a home and career at AMC at my age. To have the opportunity to work with Susan, Finola, Vincent, etc. was the best learning experience ever. I learned more about acting in my first three months at AMC than 3 years of acting class. Nothing beats first hand experience...and to experience it with this amazing cast of actors was the most special experience of my life.

From your whole time on AMC, what was your favorite scene as Frankie? Favorite scene as Maggie?

I have had so many memorable scenes as Frankie and Maggie. I think my first day playing Frankie was by far the best because I had an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. I just remember being rolled in on a gurney looking up at Dr. Joe and thinking, "This is what I was meant to do, it doesn't get much better than this". Another great moment was when I was playing Maggie and Eden and I were a part of a scene with Jack and Erica and they had to do the hustle. Eden and I were sitting watching them dance and we looked at each other and said, "Can you believe that we are sitting here watching Susan Lucci and Walt Willey doing the hustle? We are so lucky!!!" (I'm not sure if those scenes ever aired because it was the day of the blackout)

What will you miss most/least about AMC?

I will of course miss all of my friends most at AMC, they are all a wonderful support group and we always have so much fun when we are together. I can't wait to go back to NY and see them all. I think what I miss least is waking up at 6am and have to get all done up at the crack of dawn. I hate getting ready that early in the morning. Oh, and powder!!! I always hated being powdered on set, after 7 hrs you feel like you have a pound of makeup on.

What was your last day on the AMC set like?

My last day was very emotional. It didn't feel like my last day until lunch time when they presented us with an amazing frame with our names in it and words of good luck and love from the entire show. Then it was back to work and I left the set saying, "Ok, well I'll see you next week!" After the 35th anniversary [show on Broadway] it really hit me it was over and i broke into tears, but it was the best way to go. That was the most special night with my cast I had ever had.

Besides acting, what's the one profession you would love to do?

I think if I was not an actress I would do something in fashion. My friends say I should be a stylist, they are always asking me to dress them. I would love to open a store one day with my best friend Emily, she's an amazing artist and has the most creative eye.

What is the ideal role you would want to play in any type of programming, whether it be television, theatre, movies??

I would love to do a comedy on prime-time, or any type of role that allows me to be silly and free.

What are you most looking forward to about living in Los Angeles? Did you have any reservations about moving?

I didn't have any reservations about moving because it was the first time in my life I was truly ready to have all new experiences. Now that I am here there are days when I feel lonely or out of place but I just pick up the phone and call a friend in NYC and have them reassure me I'm doing the right thing, then they tell me how cold it is NY and I'm back to normal. I miss my friends and family so much and I have some friends coming to visit soon. I am also very fortunate to have a few close friends out here that keep me busy and it's been lots of fun so far. Eden and I speak almost everyday and we are getting together tomorrow for lunch. We are so supportive of each other and I feel more confident about being here with her by my side....BAM lives on!!!!