When I first came to New York City to act, I stayed with a relative in Far Rockaway. But after I got my first part, I realized the commute would be too long. A friend suggested a shared apartment, but when I stopped by to meet my potential roommate, she was in the middle of a party that my mother would not have approved. Instead, I connected with Marlon Brando -- our mothers knew each other -- and stayed the night at his apartment. No, he wasn't there. But the next day his girlfriend told me about the Rehearsal Club, and with Marlon’s help I moved in.
According to my card, I played ingénues, adolescents, giggles and brats -- the last of which, my children always kid me, came naturally. Among other things, I performed on Broadway in
Pick-Up Girl and I'll Take the High Road.