What was it like growing up in a show business family?
Fun and interesting and exciting! I was meeting all sorts of famous people--talented artists, writers, and painters. Those were the friends of my parents (British actor John Mills and author Mary Hayley Bell) and that’s a wonderful climate for a child to be brought up in. We went all over the world with my father doing location work. I remember hanging around in his dressing room and just getting the sawdust in my shoes.
What are some of your favorite memories growing up?
I was very lucky in that my godparents were Vivien Leigh and Noel Coward. I had some wonderful times with them. I used to spend time with Vivien when I was about nine or ten. I got to spend the day with her in London and go with her to the couturiers, and the mannequins would come out and she’d order clothes. I’d play with her jewelry on the floor in her flat while she was on the phone!
Who were your inspirations as an actress?
Shirley MacLaine has always been one of my favorites. And Vivien too—but that was another era, really. My father has been my biggest inspiration as far as how to do it and how to behave. And just his whole attitude to life really—he’s always impressed upon all of us that we are lucky to be doing the work we love. And he’s such a great actor. He’s ninety-one and a half and still working!
Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?
At first, as a child, I wanted to be a ballet dancer. When I was sixteen, I was doing about four hours of dancing a day and I thought--I don’t think I’m cut out for this. By then I was taking drama classes so my concentration went towards speaking rather than dancing. I had a theater company in school and I wrote plays and directed them. Theater was where I began.
Are you surprised that Nanny and the Professor is still so revered?
It was a lovely, magical little show. There were other shows like it at the time—Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie--and I think people have nostalgia for that time. Everyone wanted a nanny like that who could do magical things and talk to the animals. It’s very heartwarming that people remember her so fondly. Perhaps it’s one of the reasons they forgive me for some of my wickedness now as Tabitha!
How did the role of Tabitha come about for you?
The first thing that appealed to me was the role. I read the audition scene which was a monologue, and then I realized how pivotal a character she was. I knew it was going to be working with special effects and disguises and that it was a real character part. It was also perfect timing for me. I’d been working in the theater all over the world, and living in New York for a year-and-a-half, but my home is in California. Suddenly, it was an opportunity to work at home. Everything just seemed right!
What’s it like playing Tabitha?
It’s a lot of work and a lot of homework. Coming in and doing the performance is the fun part. There’s a lot of planning that goes on—even on days off my script is never far away. It’s a wonderful, talented group of people. I’m delighted to be a part of the whole ensemble.
What’s it like working with Josh Ryan Evans (Timmy)?
Josh and I are great friends. I have great respect for him—he’s a wonderful pro and a bright young man. He’s very serious about his craft. The relationship that James E. Reilly has created for us is wonderful. Luckily, we get along really well and enjoy working together.
What have been your favorite scenes to tape so far?
The stuff with Charity and the bowl of water—I thought that was cool and quite funny. I enjoyed doing the fortuneteller, although the makeup was so hard. It took two and a half hours to get it on and an hour to get it off. I love playing the characters—like the nun and the nurse—and each time trying to make it different.
Do you believe in the supernatural?
I believe we all have ESP and that we all have a lot more control over our lives and what happens to us than we are lead to believe. I think we can work that side of our nature, our spiritual side, more than we do. And I believe in reincarnation so when Tabitha says she’s 300 years old, I believe she’s come again and again!
If you weren’t an actor, what would you be?
I think I’d be involved in healing people—maybe aromatherapy, massage, or nursing. Something that involves making people feel better.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Happy, optimistic, and loving
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your life?
I suppose where I am now—how I feel, what I’ve learned, my compassion, my tolerance, and the things I’ve worked on in my character that I’ve wanted to improve. Right now, my greatest accomplishment is being here today and feeling happy, well, and healthy. I try to do things in my life that improve the quality of my life.
If you had one wish what would it be?
That I could sing—I mean REALLY sing!
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