OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Lifetime Television; licensed to America Online, Inc. OnlineHost: Your emcee tonight is AOLiveMC1 (Katie.) AOLiveMC1: Welcome to AOL, Marion Ross! LifetimeTV: I pretend that I know everybody personally! I've been in your homes and bedrooms! It's good to be here! Question: Marion, is the character in this movie one that you could relate to personally? LifetimeTV: For some strange reason I can relate 100% because I did "Brooklyn Bridge" and, even though I'm not Jewish, this Holocaust experience - -- it just knocked me out. To be in Czechoslovakia, a town that was never bombed in WWII, and have all those soldiers with arm bands -- it was very real for me indeed. Question: Who was your idol when you were young? LifetimeTV: Ingrid Bergman was who I wanted to be -- so naturally beautiful and a very emotional actress. I really wanted to go onstage, not movies, but I ended up under contract to Paramount. Now I adore film work, even though I enjoy doing stage still. I just got done doing "Steel Magnolias" in Kansas City. Kellie Martin is a wonderful actress -- she was in "Life Goes On." She's a real actress, you know? The real McCoy. From her heart. And "Hidden in Silence" is a true story. We met the Catholic woman who saved thirteen Jewish people and kept them safe. Really beautiful. It's an unbelievable story -- "Hidden in Silence" is on at 9:00 ET/PT on Lifetime, by the way! Question: Who first introduced you to acting? LifetimeTV: Wait! I have good news from Ron Howard! He was just awarded Best Director by the Screen Directors Guild. And what's wonderful is that he wasn't nominated by the Academy -- so there! AOLiveMC1: That's wonderful news, Marion! LifetimeTV: When I was thirteen, I would go to the movies with the secret that I wanted to be an actress. I would study accents, read biographies of actors. I wanted to become somebody, to be somebody! And I did! So if I can do it, anyone can do it. I had a lot of determination. Big desire! Question: Marion, what do you prefer -- comedy or dramatic roles? LifetimeTV: I'm a very easy crier. But if you don't watch me, I will try and sneak in some humor. I see humor everywhere in life around me. I'm working on "Evening Star" with Shirley MacLaine. Today we had Shirley, Ben Johnson, Bill Paxton, Jack Nicholson, Scott Wolf -- the new heartthrob from "Party of Five" -- Juliette Lewis, Miranda Richardson -- so talk about stars! Robert Harling, who has written the screenplay and is directing, wrote "Steel Magnolias." And our director of photography is Don Burgeouson -- he did "Forrest Gump." It's coming out about Christmas time. It's going to be a real biggie! Question: Is there something "special" about acting for television? LifetimeTV: Well, "Happy Days," which we did for 11 years, we did that with 3 cameras in front of a live audience. Very special. We had a party every Friday night. And that's how special it was. The boys all grew up -- Ron, Henry -- they grew up on that show. Question: What did you do to prepare for your role in "Hidden in Silence?" LifetimeTV: I learned a great deal doing "Brooklyn Bridge." I don't know how I identify so. For some reason, I was able to take a giant step into the terrible reality that was then. Someone said, "Look at the train," and we saw all of the cattle cars that took folks away. Just knowing it was real, it would be impossible not to feel. Question: Which of the characters that you have portrayed is most like you? LifetimeTV: I think in Mrs. C, I certainly played myself. A very compulsive, sweet person. You know what happens to people pleasers? They please a lot of people! Question: Do you keep in touch with any of the cast members of "Happy Days?" LifetimeTV: Oh yes! I talk with Henry a lot -- I owe him a call! He's so dear, he sends me flowers. I keep in touch with Gary, Anson, Ronny, Tom -- everyone -- we were a family, you know! Being together 11 years is longer than college or Army, so it was quite a time! Question: How did you come to play Capt. Steubing's love interest in "The Love Boat?" LifetimeTV: Because two of "Happy Days'" creators went to work on "The Love Boat." They said, "Come on over and marry the Captain!" Of course, at that point, the boat was really sailing into the sunset. But I had already known Gavin, so it was perfect. Question: What do you do in your spare time when you are not acting? LifetimeTV: I love to remodel everything -- tear walls out and re-do everything. I love to wake up in the morning with a grand idea and get everyone involved. I'm always building something. Question: What is in your future in terms of acting? LifetimeTV: After "Evening Star," I'm not really sure, but I'm going on a cruise on the coast of East Africa. One of the fun things about being an actor is not knowing -- not knowing when the phone rings, just what's going to happen. We are designed for change. I have tremendous faith in the universe. I feel at home on this planet. First of all, I know everybody, right? Even in Europe and Asia! And even though it's a very big world out there, I plan on walking right through the middle of it unharmed. Question: What is your background in theatrical training? LifetimeTV: I went to San Diego State University, and always worked in the Globe Theater in San Diego. And I would find little old ladies to study with privately, always on my own. The college system is the only place where we have subsidized theater, so you get to do plays that you don't do elsewhere. The great classics that as a professional you don't get to do, you do as a student when you don't know any better. LifetimeTV: Now you have a level of actress that is brilliant, well-educated and talented, and if you want to be an actress, college is a nice place to start. You must be grounded in literature and history. An actor must know and be everybody. You must continue to learn all your life like a sponge. It's a wonderful way to live! Question: Are there any actors/actresses that you'd like to work with? LifetimeTV: I'm working with Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson -- give me more of them! That level, wow! It's what I like! Question: Marion, if you had to do "Happy Days" over again, would there be any changes in the family structure of the Cunningham's you would like to see updated? LifetimeTV: Well, do you think a family like that would ever let someone like the Fonz eat with them? You know, Mrs. C had a crush on the Fonz, you know. But Howard didn't notice -- too busy at the hardware store! AOLiveMC1: Okay, we have time for one more question for Marion! Question: Where did you shoot your new Lifetime film "Hidden in Silence?" LifetimeTV: We were outside of Prague, the Paris of the Nineties. But we were pretending it was Poland. They just got through filming "Pinocchio" and "Snow White" because it's so beautiful there -- castles, you know? Everyone should go there! There were young Americans everywhere. It was great! LifetimeTV: This has been unique. I hope you feel as comfortable with me as I did with all of you! AOLiveMC1: I'd like to thank Marion Ross for joining us this evening. It's been a pleasure! LifetimeTV: Please, watch Lifetime's "Hidden in Silence" with Kellie Martin, March 6 at 9 PM ET/PT. It's a wonderful story! Bye bye! AOLiveMC1: Bye, Marion! OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Lifetime Television; licensed to America Online, Inc. ------------------------------