Picture Perfect Soap Opera Update February 15, 2000 By Michael Maloney
It's fair to say that Cupid hasn't had much success aiming his arrows at GENERAL HOSPITAL Elizabeth Webber. First, Lucky Spencer, her true love, "dies" in a fire. A promising friendship with Lucky's half-brother Nikolas hit a snag when Elizabeth befriended bad boy Jason Morgan. Then a romance with Jason was put on indefinite hold after he left town to sort his life.
Happily, off screen, Elizabeth's portrayer Rebecca Herbst is enjoying a much more successful love life with Johnny Lindesmith, a photographer's assistant. The two met over a year ago through shutterbug John Russo, who was conducting a session with Herbst. "It was my first shoot with John Russo and Johnny's first day working with him as an assistand," recalls Herbst. The lovebirds got engaged on December 30, 1999.
The fact that Lindesmith works in photography, an aspect of show business, affords the dup many advantages - the best of which is an under standing of what a performer's life consists of. "Johnny's being in the business really helps our relationship a lot," points out Herbst. "He understand my hours and the nature of the business, but it's also really good that he's not in the same field that I am."
Which brings us to ask Herbst her feelings regarding the age-old-adage that actors should not date fellow actors. "I've been there and done that," shre reflect. "It's not what the other person does for a living that determines the success of the relationship. It's who the person is. I've just discovered that in terms of romance, I tend to get along better with ones who aren't actors."
Currently being without a leading man on screen has on major benefit for Herbst and Lindesmith's relationship - he doesn't have to watch her perform love scenes. "When we started dating, Jonathan was still on the show and we had kissing scenes all the time," recalls Herbst. How did lindesmith handle that? "He'd just never watch. It really doesn't bother him," the actress notes. "I feel that not to watch [their partner perform love scenes] is one of the healthiest things a person can do for a relationship anyway."
Althought on-air love scenes look romantic, Herbst shares that Elizabeth's love scenes are strictly business and have nothing to do with sexuality," the actress muses, adding, "on the other hand, I don't think I could date another actor who was doing love scenes because I'm way too jealous. I need a guy who can handle it."
Not to mention one who can cut a mean rug on the dance floor. "We love to dance," smiles Herbst. "We recently finished taking salsa lessons. We're going to take other kinds. Maybe, swing dancing. We have a lot of fun together."
Soaps often pair "good girls" with "bad boys", but in successful rel-life-relationships, she feels that it's better for individuals to be more alike. "Johnny has so much respect and the same kinds of morals and ethics that I've been raised with, so we really see eye to eye on everything," Herbst has said. "It's as if he were raised in my family."
Herbst has conquered many challenging storylines on GH, including her character's rape and the mourning of Lucky. The actress has also had to adapt to more than a few leading men, too. Diverse challenges at work are easier to surmount, thanks to the fact that her off-screen life has such stability. "I don't think it matters what fielf of work you're in," offers Herbst. "Whether you're a librarian or a movie star, a relationship adds fulfillment to your life. It adds balance and harmony. I know I fell better about myself when I have someone next to me who loves me."
