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Kathleen Noone Interviews
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Character: Bette Katzenkazrahi Veteran actress Kathleen Noone portrays Bette, the fun-loving, eccentric aunt of Annie Douglas (Sarah Buxton). Despite her maturity, Bette still manages to get in more mischief than a lovesick teenager. Noone grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey, one of four sisters in a family of overachievers. At a young age, she took up the trombone and then switched to singing. She also developed a passion for the theater at an early age. She was 13 when she performed in her first musical, "Finnian's Rainbow." Noone pursued the art further as an undergraduate at Ithaca College and West Virginia University, earning a B.F.A. in theater. At the time, she supported herself as a nightclub jazz singer. When an offer came to tour with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, she regretfully turned it down: she had decided to keep honing her acting skills by obtaining a master?s degree in theater from Southern Methodist University. After performing for 13 years in numerous repertory, regional and off-Broadway theaters, Noone appeared on several daytime dramas, including "Love of Life," "As the World Turns" and "One Life to Live." She eventually landed a key role on "All My Children" and stayed with the show for 11 years. For her work as Ellen Chandler (Dalton) on the serial, she was nominated twice for the Daytime Emmy as Best Supporting Actress (winning in 1987) and three times for a "Soap Opera Digest" Award. Noone left New York to try her hand at prime-time television in Los Angeles. She appeared on NBC's "Frasier" (as Maris' nutty aunt), "Murphy Brown," "Ned & Stacy," "Love and War" and "The Faculty." Her other television credits include a three-year stint on "Knots Landing" as well as guest-starring roles on "Kate & Allie," "Quantum Leap," "Hunter" and "Empty Nest." Noone's film credits include the upcoming "Skeletons" with Ron Silver ,"Citizen Ruth" with Laura Dern and "Party Of Five". One of her favorite projects was co-producing and starring in the Pasadena Playhouse production of "The Crimson Thread" with Shanna Reed and Stephanie Zimbalist. Theater remains her passion, and in her spare time she reads for Dan Lauria and Joe Cacacci's "Playwright's Kitchen Ensemble" at the Coronet Theater, which introduces playwrights to the Hollywood community. Noone also enjoys walking and hiking, especially in Yosemite. She is active with Animal Rescue and the Special Olympics. Noone lives in Los Angeles. Her birthday is January 8. - From NBC Daytime
OUTSTANDING PERFORMER This week, SUNSET BEACH handed Kathleen Noone a rare moment in the spotlight as Aunt Bette - and, boy, did she shine! Bette warned her manipulative niece Annie that she wouldn't be a pawn in Annie's scheme to destroy Gregory and Olivia's marriage. Annie lied, denying that she would involve Bette, and the two hugged. That moment of affection sealed Annie's fate: A tape recorder began playing in Annie's pocket, revealing that she was indeed using Bette after all. Bette reacted to the deception by continuing to hold Annie close to her as the recording played. The warmth visibly eebed out of Noone's body and was replaced by tension. One didn't have to see Bette's face to know that Annie was in for it. When Bette finally did face Annie, she didn't say a word; the utter heartbreak Noone displayed as she locked eyes with Annie was more jolting than any harsh words ever could be. When she finally spoke, Noone didn't turn the confrontation into a catfight. With carefully chosen words - and a mask of disgust covering her face - she told Annie that she had had enough, and that she was not going to take her machinations anymore. Noone delivered her verbal blows with such icy precision that it wasn't surprising that Sarah Buxton (Annie) seemed genuinely terrified. Then Noone suddenly reverted to silence and carried Bette upstairs and away from Annie's begging and pleading. Bette's departure from the beach house, suitcase in hand, was final reminder that Bette and Annie's relationship was in shambles and would never be the same. Since losing Annie, Noone has masterfully shaded her portrayal of Bette even further by wearing her despair on her sleeve.--Tony Calega
NOMINATED BEST FEMALE SCENE STEALER
NOMINATED BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
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