FWM: Share your background.
I’m the youngest of 4 raised in NC. I began seriously studying and pursuing acting while raising my family in Central Florida. I continue to study with renowned NYC acting teacher, Zina Jasper, and Florida acting coach and veteran Actor, Dan Bright.
FWM: When did you discover your love for acting?
I grew up with a bug for the biz and performing. My Mother was a jazz musician working with artists like Tony Bennett, Mel Torme’, and Dick VanDyke…Truth be told my love for acting is an ongoing affair.
FWM: Tell us about your role in Queering. What was it about this role that resonated with you?
Val is a recently divorced retired dentist in NYC who comes out as a bi-sexual to her lesbian daughter, Harper. Queering creator, Leticia deBortoli, has done a brilliant job writing about the struggles of coming out as an older person and the challenges within the LGBTQ community. The series explores an intimate and often sensitive subject with humor and authenticity. It not only resonates with those in the LGBTQ community but anyone who is trying to adapt to the various changes in every area of our lives: from growing older, relationships with kids, friends, careers, etc. You can enjoy Queering WebSeries Seasons 1 and 2 free on youtube.
FWM: What has been your most challenging role to date?
This past year, I had the honor of playing Ruth, a woman who suffers from Alzheimer’s, in the short film, “I’ll Be Here For Awhile.” Written and directed by brothers, NYC based Dylan and Dakota Pailes-Friedman, this beautifully crafted film stars David Call as my son and is currently on the festival circuit and just had it’s international premiere at the Cork Film Festival in Ireland.
FWM: Are there particular roles that interest you?
For me as an Actor, it all begins with the writing. When the writing is adventurous, daring and specific, it gives the actor something to sink their teeth into. I’m attracted to more complicated characters, which requires me to ask potent questions and respond with truth and conviction.
“I am constantly growing as an Actor who is known and respected for my versatility in playing challenging and complicated characters. ”
FWM: Is there a role that you are best known for? Why do you think people gravitate towards this character?
The brilliant creators, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg, of the youtube sensation, “Cobra Kai” gave me the opportunity to recur in the series as homeless woman, Lynn, who is sassy and quite formidable. Lynn lives outside of the Cobra Kai dojo, run by William Zabka’s character, Johnny Lawrence. People gravitate to Lynn because she chooses to live off the grid on her terms and is as unpredictable as she is provocative, which makes her simultaneously terrifying and hilarious.
FWM: Tell us about Lifetime’s, “The Christmas Contract.” Can you share a moment from the set?
Casting Director Brent Caballero generously recommended me for the role of Meredith, who’s Cheryl Ladd’s sidekick and co-owner of a Christmas ornament shop. It stars Hilaire Burton, Robert Buckley from “One Tree Hill” and also Bruce Boxleitner and Ritchie Montgomery. Before shooting in July in Lafayette, Louisiana, the locals raised enough money to have their Acadian Christmas Village decorated for the movie. Mayor Robideaux and the folks of Lafayette were so welcoming that he presented the entire cast/crew with an “Official Cajun for a Day” certificate before the movie was wrapped.
FWM: What type of Actor are you?
Forever curious. Hopefully, I am constantly growing as an actor who is known and respected for my versatility in playing challenging and complicated characters. Whether it’s the tough ex-con madame, Amanda, opposite Scott Bakula in NCIS Nola, the grieving Mrs. Ganaway in Breakout Kings opposite Jimmi Simpson, a rich suburbanite, Sue Ann, opposite Holly Hunter in Strange Weather or a therapist Sanger, opposite Kyle Chandler in Bloodline, I love to work and am inspired by the talented and generous writers and actors I’ve had the opportunity to work and learn from.
FWM: Share some of your upcoming projects.
“Cobra Kai” has invited homeless Lynn back in episode 4 of Season 3, due out Spring 2020. “Walkaway Joe” starring David Strathairn as Joe Haley and, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is due out soon. I had the honor of working opposite David playing his ex-wife, Maggie. Getting lots of buzz is “Beast Beast” where I played Mrs.Gunderson, which is produced by Alec Baldwin and written/directed by Danny Madden. Randal Reeder’s new TV series, “Sons of Thunder” is on the horizon and I recur as wheelchair-bound Opal, and directed by the brilliant Sam Medina. Look for me in Stephen King’s new series, “The Outsider” on HBO in January 2020. The wildest project coming out soon is “Dirty Diamond” starring me and writer, Allen Landver, where I play the outrageous spokeswoman, Kathy, on a live on-air TV sales program. I’m most excited about Queering the Movie, which will shoot Spring 2020 in NYC.
FWM: Tell us about Little Red Productions.
In 2014, I formed my own female-run production company and began producing and writing my own and others short films and documentaries. My goal has been to improve with each project, which we’ve done and have screened internationally and won several awards for our projects.
FWM: And your latest production, “Portrait of a Woman at Dawn?”
It’s starring Scottie Thompson, but I’m beyond proud to be an Executive Producer. It’s been a blessing to be part of this important and beautifully written/directed film by Cullen Douglas and to work with the all-star cast and crew he’s assembled. We’ve won numerous awards here in the US and internationally and it’s Her Little Red Production’s best short film yet.
FWM: You play a lot of women driven characters. Which roles have you enjoyed the most?
I’ve enjoyed the role of homeless woman, Lynn, in the Cobra Kai series. Lynn is completely fearless, sassy and very provocative as she uses her survival skills living on the street. Lynn is funny, resourceful and unpredictable and is mostly concerned about her next meal. It’s completely liberating to slip into her filthy skin and hats off to the hair/makeup and costume dept of Cobra Kai for basically making me unrecognizable. Playing the role of bi-sexual Val in Queering continues to be quite a fulfilling experience as I continue on this journey with Val discovering who she is and navigating unchartered waters.
FWM: What is your mantra?
“When life gets muddy, ya gotta put on your big girl boots and take a walk in the mud!”
