OnlineHost: Welcome! This afternoon we're talking with Hillary B. Smith, who
plays Nora Buchanan on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. Winner the 1994 Emmy Award for
Outstanding Lead Actress, Hillary brings her own unique style to her portrayal
of the incredibly charming, irrepressible Nora. Welcome Hillary!
ABCStar: Hello everyone! This is ABCTim and Hillary has just joined me.
We'll be taking the first question in just a second.....
Question: Hello Hillary!! You're great -- I think you're TOPS! What are your
favorite types of scenes to do on OLTL?
ABCStar: Anything with Bob Woods (Bo) and good courtroom stuff.
Question: Hi Hillary! Do you especially enjoy working with one actor or
another on the set of OLTL? Gena
ABCStar: I especially like working with actors.
Question: Do you like working for ABC? One Life To Live?
ABCStar: Yes, I've been here for 6 years. I hope I like it!
Question: Hi Hillary. I think you are a great actress!! I was wondering were
you surprised in 1994 when you won the Emmy? Where do you keep it? Thanks!
ABCStar: I was extremely surprised. As a matter of fact, I didn't realize
they had called my name. It's on the mantel in my kitchen.
Question: Hillary, do you ever watch your scenes on tv?
ABCStar: Yes, sometimes.
Question: Hi! Is there any romantic possibilities between Nora and Sam?
ABCStar: You mean more romantic possibilities? That's what possibilities are
-- possible.
Question: Would you like to have seen Nora choose Sam over Bo? You have such
great chemistry with both actors!
ABCStar: Why does one always have to choose? Why can't she have both? TeeHee
Question: Hi, my name is Tiffany 15/f. You are a GREAT actor. What made you
get started in acting?
ABCStar: I always wanted to be an actor. Ever since I was five.
Question: What was your first job, of acting?
ABCStar: Professionally, it was doing an Off-Broadway show called "Song Night
In the City." I was scouted by Universal Studios and ABC.
Question: You looked fabulous in that red dress at the Emmys! Now that it's
yours to keep have you worn it out on the town?
ABCStar: I've been too busy working. But thank you -- I love that dress.
And, how nice that you thought I looked nice in it!
Question: Do your kids ever watch you on OLTL? What do they think about Nora
and Bo?
ABCStar: No, my children don't watch me. They're in school. But they know
everyone from being at the studio with me. They think Bo is "fun."
Question: Has becoming a big star on TV affected your life with all the fame
and fans?
ABCStar: Fame? Where's the glamour?
Question: On a previous show, I saw you holding a cigar, do you really smoke?
ABCStar: No, I don't smoke cigars.
Question: You wear like 4 rings on your left hand. Besides wedding rings
what are their significance? Anniversary ring or mothers ring?
ABCStar: Wedding ring, engagement ring, tenth anniversary ring, and ring my
father gave to my mother and my mother gave to me. In that order.
Question: How did you lose 15 pounds?
ABCStar: I did the Atkins diet. I loved it. It was my favorite diet!
Question: I'm into antiques. I was wondering if you are too, and if so do
you collect something specific?
ABCStar: Is this my husband? I love antiques. I don't collect anything
specific however.
Question: What was your favorite storyline?
ABCStar: I liked the Wait Until Dark story where Nora was blind and Todd was
stalking her.
Question: Hi Hillary!! You are the best thing to happen to OLTL!! Are you
going to Super Soap Weekend. Thanks. Christy PA
ABCStar: Yes, and I hope to see you there.
Question: You did a prime time comedy show where you were the wife of an
artist played by Gene Wilder. Do you prefer doing a weekly sitcom on prime
time over a daily soap opera? I am awfully happy you didn't leave OLTL. You
have such great chemistry with Bo!!!
ABCStar: The hours on a sitcom are far easier. But the commute was hell!
LOL!
Question: Hi Hillary. This is Angela (HBS Rocks). I know your very busy but
by chance did you get the Hillary B. Smith newsletter I sent you? If so did
you like it?
ABCStar: Hey Angela! Thanks for sending and I hope to get to the questions
soon.
Question: Hi Hillary!! YOU ROCK!! Are Bo and Nora ever going to have a baby?
Thanks, Christy PA
ABCStar: Stay tuned!
Question: Hi Hillary are you planning to have a luncheon with your fan club ?
ABCStar: No. I just want to have time to have lunch with my family!
Question: What do you like to do in your spare time?
ABCStar: Be with my family.
Question: It's me Angela (HBS ROCKS) I just wanna say I'm so glad we got you
online for a chat...Your loved very very much by your fans.
ABCStar: Thank you for being so supportive. You guys rock!
Question: Do you prefer your hair long or short?
ABCStar: Short.
Question: Hi, Hillary. How does your real life hubby, feel about your love
scenes with "Bo"?
ABCStar: What he doesn't know won't hurt him! Honey, are you online?
Question: Please tell us how it is to work with Roger Howarth.
ABCStar: It is a joy, always.
Question: I think you're a wonderful and talented actress, do you have plans
for future TV or movies?
ABCStar: There are always plans. Life is about making plans. But plans can
always change. Did I not answer this question well enough?
Question: I love your character & the way you portray her. Was it difficult
for you to do the attempted rape scene with Todd?
ABCStar: No. It's never difficult to do emotional scenes when working with
another professional.
Question: Do you think Todd is faking his catatonic state?
ABCStar: Yes, Nora thinks he could fake anything to save his hide. But I
don't know whether she's right.
Question: Did you find that in High School you were involved in theater? And
how did it affect your career?
ABCStar: Yes and yes.
Question: Hi Hillary. You are the best actress on daytime and I absolutely
love Nora. I was wondering, what would you like to see happen for Nora in the
future?
ABCStar: Something really juicy. Something that will challenge me.
Question: Have you ever been on any other soaps?
ABCStar: Yes. The Doctors and As the World Turns.
Question: What was the name of the night time show you were on?
ABCStar: Something Wilder.
Question: Hi Hillary! I love Nora and OLTL! Do you read the boards on AOL
and if you do you or any of the other actors get hurt by negative posts?
Thanks!
ABCStar: I do know that actors do get their feelings hurt by negative posts.
Remember, we don't write it, we're just paid to say it.
Question: Even though Nora has been through the change of life, will Nora &
Bo be having a child? Anything is possible in Llanview!
ABCStar: She has not been through it completely. She is peri-menopausal.
Which means too early. We'll find out!
Question: Hi Hillary. Do you still keep in touch with old cast members who
have left the show?
ABCStar: Yes. Susan Haskell (Marty), Crystal Chappell (Maggie), Valerie
Pettiford (Sheila), Ellen Bethea (ex-Rachel), Chris Cousins (Cain), to mention
a few.
Question: have you ever done any Broadway?
ABCStar: Yes. I did "The Heidi Chronicles," "A Reel American Hero," and
"Lips Together, Teeth Apart."
Question: Which actor that you don't really get to work with would you like
to work with the most?
ABCStar: There are so many. Erika Slezak (Viki) , Robin Strasser (Dorian),
Roger Howarth (Todd). The list goes on.
Question: How did you feel about cutting off all you beautiful hair for that
scene in the motel?
ABCStar: It was worth it for the emotional work.
Question: Hi, who are your favorite characters on the show besides Nora?
ABCStar: I love everyone.
Question: Hillary, welcome. In your scenes with Bo you two have so much
chemistry. Do you have as much fun as it looks?
ABCStar: Yes, more!
Question: What's your favorite thing about working on OLTL?
ABCStar: The people I work with.
Question: Who are you close to on the show?
ABCStar: So many. The list is too long.
Question: Hi Hillary, when did you first start acting?
ABCStar: I started acting professionally when I was in college.
Question: How long have you been a soap star?
ABCStar: I'm a soap star? Yippee!
Question: Hey Hillary! Do you think anything will ever happen between Nora
& Sam again? Or are she & Bo okay now?
ABCStar: One never knows.
Question: I don't think Sam came down hard enough on Todd for what he did to
Nora. Will we see more of this (when Todd is better) with Sam (maybe) making
him come to her and apologize?
ABCStar: I doubt it. Nobody seems to be able to make Todd do anything.
Question: Hi, did you enjoy working with Jennifer Bransford (Georgie) and
were you surprised when Rachel turned out to be the killer?
ABCStar: I loved working with Jenny and I miss her. And yes, I was shocked
and saddened.
Question: Hey Hillary. I was wondering...do you plan on ever having your own
fan club luncheon? I would love go attend if you did ~Alicia~
ABCStar: Thank you. How nice of you to want to come. But I would rather
you take a great friend or a loved one to lunch instead.
Question: Is Nora going to help Sam with Todd's case?
ABCStar: A man ask a woman for help??!! I don't think Nora would help do
anything for Todd.
Question: Will Nora and Hank be involved in Todd's story ?
ABCStar: Sure, Hank is the DA and God only knows what Nora will be doing.
Question: Hi Hillary, Will ABC or OLTL be holding a 30th anniversary party
for cast and crew?
ABCStar: No, we didn't rate a party this time.
Question: Can you explain to us why Nora was in Todd's dream, when he was on
the operating table?
ABCStar: Nora was one of his victims.
Question: What is it like working on a soap? Is it like one big family?
ABCStar: One big dysfunctional family who loves each other to death, yes.
Question: Hillary I know your character Nora is Jewish and I was wondering
if you are really Jewish?
ABCStar: No.
Question: Are you planning to do any plays in the near future?
ABCStar: I hope so. Hopefully this fall.
Question: Do you like acting?
ABCStar: I hope so. I've been doing it since 1979.
Question: What is going to be your storyline with Sam. I liked you with
him, keeps Bo jealous.
ABCStar: Tell that to the TPTB.
Question: Hillary can you tell me what its really like working with so many
wonderful actors and actresses?
ABCStar: A joy and a delight.
Question: Hillary do you have anything coming up after Rachel goes to the
big house?
ABCStar: I hope so.
Question: Hillary are you married? Do you have any children?
ABCStar: Yes, I'm married with two children.
Question: Do you enjoy your work?
ABCStar: Yes, very much.
Question: Okay, are you going to be on any talk shows soon?
ABCStar: Good question. Ask somebody who knows.
Question: Are Bo and Nora going to remain together?
ABCStar: Who knows. Stay tuned.
Question: What is your funniest blooper on the set?
ABCStar: Dick Clark has been making a fortune off of it. There are just too
many of them, that's the problem.
Question: What kind of men do you like?
ABCStar: Nice men, like my husband.
Question: Did you and Bo have to take dance lessons? Or did you naturally
fall into each other's arms?
ABCStar: It was natural. Bob is a natural dancer and I'm a pretty good
follower.
ABCStar: This is ABCTim. We have time for one more question......
Question: Hi Hillary! Whats it like kissing Bo? (I have to know!!!:)
ABCStar: Every woman's fantasy and it's my reality. Jealous?
ABCStar: ABCTim here again. Hillary says thank you so much for joining her
today. Bye everybody!
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