Atlantica - 01.05.2002, Page 16

14 A T L A N T I C A
I’m trying to be open to different experiences. It’s not really about
the success of the experience as much as it is the experience itself.
EW: Is there any actor or director that you really want to work
with?
TH: Sean Penn [laughs playfully].
EW: Why Sean Penn?
TH: Why? Why do you have to ask why? Because he’s Sean Penn.
Because there’s only one and he’s it. Well, that’s not true. There
are so many brilliant directors out there, but Sean Penn has to be
one of the most interesting, complicated, brilliant actors – and he
always has been.
EW: Does it bother you that people still recognise you as Lois
Lane?
No, but I think success in any-
thing, especially television, can
have its downside. Even if you win
Emmys for your work, it can still
pigeon-hole you. Unless you’re
George Clooney! He doesn’t have
any problems with pigeon-holes.
You have to ride out both sides of your
success: one side allows you to get
things and the other stops you from get-
ting certain things. But I’m not a believer
in whining about it. I’m sort of a maker of
my own opportunities. If it’s not happening
one way, I will find my creative outlet anoth-
er way. And not just in acting. I love being a
mother.
EW: Is it hard to balance motherhood with a
career in show business?
TH: I believe you can do a lot, but you can’t do it
all at the same time. That’s sort of my motto. I pick
what I can do when I can do it. And I try to give
myself a break.
EW: I’ve got to ask. What was the best part about being
a cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers during the
height of their dynasty?
TH: Free tickets! Free tickets to the Super Bowl against
Miami when nobody else could get them. And winning.
Edward Weinman is a staff writer.
TH: Sometimes I’ve found that on the lowest budget things that
I’ve done, because you’re not really getting paid. Everyone is
there because they have a belief in the project – like tonight’s V-
Day event. Everyone is here because they believe so deeply in the
cause and that makes an event like this that much more of a mov-
ing and deeper experience.
EW: What would be the worst part of your profession, aside from
interviews like this?
TH: You’re not so bad...You’re not so bad [laughs]. I think at any
level, struggling to get the part you want. And the rejection. But
the gift about life is that, hopefully, you get to a point where you
understand that there are so many things more important than
getting a job or not getting a job. When you don’t get a part, you
allow yourself some sadness for a few hours and then you move
on.
EW: Of all the characters you’ve
portrayed, which is your favourite?
TH: [Pause.] I’m thinking for such a
long time because I’m not exactly
sure I’ve played it yet. Each experience
has its merits. In a way, it’s hard to com-
pare. You know, I really enjoyed playing
Lois Lane, because I thought she was
smart, funny, vulnerable, aggressive – a
multifaceted woman. I just finished this lit-
tle independent movie that nobody has seen
yet. It’s called The Chester Story, the type of
film that will probably end up in a film festival
somewhere. I also had a wonderful time doing
Cabaret. The part was such a brilliant role. I was
so grateful to have it.
EW: I read that you took singing lessons before
you tried out for Cabaret and flew yourself to the
audition. Why did you want to play Sally Bowles so
badly?
TH: I didn’t even want the role so badly. I wanted the
experience of auditioning for the role so badly. I never
believed I would actually get the part, but I’m sort of a
risk taker. You know, I had these people in NY saying,
“Okay, we’ll see her. She can audition.” But nobody
believed they would hire me.
I wanted to go through the experience. I sort of think that’s
what life is all about. Even coming to Iceland to do the V-Day
event. It’s like, hey, let’s go to Iceland and see what that’s like.
airmail
Teri Hatcher
009-023 ATL302 Airmail 19.4.2002 16:50 Page 14