Did you have a hard time training your dog Lucy? Are there any tips you can share?

The best piece of advice I can offer from first-hand experience is consistency in all training. We did crate training, which was very helpful in terms of housebreaking, and also with giving your dog a quiet, comfortable place when they are alone in the house or when you cannot be actively involved with them for certain periods of time. I also suggest plenty of exercise for the dog to burn-off extra energy and create a happy, well-adjusted, well-behaved animal companion.

What All My Children co-stars’ work do you most admire?

David Canary, Michael Knight, Jill Larson and, of course, Susan (Lucci!) all consistently do remarkable work.

Do you have a chance to watch other soaps? Which shows and actors do you enjoy watching?

I don’t get much of a chance to watch other shows. When my daughter Allison was on Guiding Light (Summer and Fall of 2002, she played “Lizzie Spaulding”) I watched THAT show religiously !! SHE was my favorite actress on GL!

How do you make your skin look so great ? What is your routine ?

Morning and evening, I cleanse my face well with a cleansing lotion from a cosmetologist in Manhattan with whom I’ve had my facials done for over twenty years. I follow that with her astringent and moisturizer. Sometimes, for toning and rejuvenating my skin, I use Jurlique’s all-natural “Herbal Recover Gel” and “Eye Gel” as well.
I make sure I cleanse and moisturize well in the morning AND at night. And I ALWAYS make sure that I take my makeup off before bed. On days I work at the studio and have lots of makeup on, I take it off as soon as I can.

What makeup brands do you wear off-screen ?

When I’m not working, I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I am a cosmetics “junkie” and love to try new products. Lately, I’ve been wearing: Yves St. Laurent foundation; Lancome “Dual Finish” powder; Christian Dior, Chanel and M.A.C. eye shadows in mauves and taupes; M.A.C.’s powder blush (in “Sierra”); M.A.C. lipsticks (I love the color “Captive”) and lip pencils; and Laura Mercier’s lipsticks (I wear the color “Just Lips” for a natural look).

How do you care for your hair ?

I wash and condition with Graham Webb products and use a variety of styling products depending on what look I am going for. For texture, I like Sebastian “Laminates”; Artec “Texture Spray”; and Nolita’s “Thickening Serum” and also their “Whipped Wax.” For styling I like Kenneth Salon’s “Biogel Mousse.” For hold, I use L'Oréal’s “Mighty Mist” or Sebastian “Zero Hair Spray.”

How do you stay in such great shape ?

I don’t necessarily enjoy working out (who does ?!) but I know it is important for my body and my health. Ideally, when my schedule allows, I work with a trainer three times a week doing interval training for one hour, combining cardio and weights. For cardio we mostly use my Reebok “Step” and for weights we use free weights and exercise “bands” and a medicine ball. Sometimes I’ll jump rope for cardio for a change of pace. On top of those three one hour workouts, I also try to do 20 minutes twice a week of just weights and resistance training.

What former co-stars are you in touch with ?

I am friends with David ("Adam") and Jill (Opal) and occasionally correspond with Laura Roman (ex-"Laura") and Vasili Bogazionos (ex-"Benny Sago").

How are you like Brooke ?

Brooke and I are both short ! No really, we are both very passionate about our children, our family and our work. But I do think Brooke is a bit more serious and reserved than I am in real life. I have always been considered a “class clown.”

Do you get frustrated with certain storyline on the show ?

I am an actress and it really is my job to perform whatever is given to me when I am working. Sure, it sometimes is better than others… but I believe that is the same for all people in all jobs. Sometimes we enjoy what we have to do and other times it isn’t as fulfilling. I try not to get bogged down in that though, because the bottom line is that I LOVE being an actress and doing the work.