When it comes to juggling the worlds of TV and theater, Judith Light is the boss.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: InTransparent, you play family matriarch Shelly Pfefferman.
How is she different from other characters youve played throughout in your career?
Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic
So what she ends up doing is pushing people away in her attempt to bring them closer.
It was a real exploration of that kind of psychology to me.
And Im finding that many people also relate to her because shes so funny.
You also feel this sort of loneliness and sadness about her.
I just think that shes so different in that particular aspect than other characters Ive played.
What can we expect to see from the show this season?
What youre going to see is that every character expands emotionally and sexually.
They are expanding in different ways, and their stories take on different aspects.
Its the real history of the Pfefferman family.
And this is about something much bigger than all of us.
There are so many hate crimes that are generated toward the community.
What does your role inTherese Raquinallow you to do that youve never done before?
That is the story of this play.
I really felt it was important to talk about that.
Had you ever met Keira before?
No, but I adore her.
I just love our relationship.
She is such a special person.
Shes funny, shes a team player, shes a brilliant actress, and she works so hard.
Theres just a sense about her of being there to work with everyone.
Her generosity in life and on stage is just really and truly extraordinary.
You made your Broadway debut inA Dolls House, 40 years ago this year.
Do you consider that role your big break?
It really didnt make me, I can tell you that.
It was an opportunity for someone so young.
Her name was Rosemarie Tichler, and Rosemarie was a real supporting champion of mine.
Thats how I got it, but it definitely was not my big break.
I was so nervous.
You cant look, because theyre known better than you are.
I want to make people feel comfortable.
It was quite a remarkable moment that I really took to heart.
Youve had so many great roles throughout the years, but what do people recognize you the most from?
ItsWhos the Boss, itsOne Life to Live, itsLaw & Order: SVU, itsUgly Betty.
Its interesting because demographically theyre all different.
Different people remember me for different things.
And the shoulder pads!
And it also talked about blended families.
It had a lot of lessons in the humor of this 22-minute situation comedy.
It changed my life too.
He taught me about comedy, and he taught me about comic timing.
There are two things that I was absolutely terrible in that I can tell you about.
Im just awful in it.
Its a story about herpes, and Im awful in it.
I just didnt do very good work in it.
Youve also done quite a few films.
Which stands out to you as a passion project?
Id have to saySave Me.
Later, she says, I will check that that no other young man has to go through this.
