Actress Carolyn Hennesy stars as Diane Miller for the past 10 years on ABC’s General Hospital. The Daytime Emmy-nominated actress is also known for her roles on True Blood, Cougar Town, Youthful Daze, Revenge and Jessie. Hennesy was recently in the highly anticipated Gilmore Girls Netflix revival series as Toni, Emily’s friend and President of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). We got to chat with her about her acting career and work on the Gilmore Girls show that we’re all obsessed with.
Her Campus: What can you tell us about your role on Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life?
Carolyn Hennesy: “Toni” is the leading member of the local DAR chapter and, as such, holds a tremendous amount of sway over the other ladies including Emily…or so she thinks. Emily, so proper at all times decides to “think a little differently” in this series, much to Toni’s dismay.
HC: Have you watched Gilmore Girls before? What was it like being apart of the revival series?
CH: I am one of the few individuals on the planet who didn’t religiously watch the original series, so it’s been a great deal of fun getting caught up as I wait for the reboot to air. I now completely understand what all the raves were about…and why people, men and women alike, are so excited to see where the characters are now. Being a part of it now is such an honor because I know it’s something, truly, much larger in the consciousness of a huge segment of the viewers than an ordinary show. There are series…and then there’s “Gilmore Girls.”
HC: Dean, Jess or Logan?
CH: All three…but spaced out so that nobody runs into each other…if you know what I mean.
HC: You are very active in animal advocacy. Can you tell us a little bit about your activism and how that all started?
CH: Well, first off, advocacy and activism are two completely different mindsets and I am…150%…an advocate. One way of thinking, advocacy, understands the now mandatory necessity for modern zoos and aquariums, their incredibly important role in saving all species (including humans) and the amazing work being done by trainers, keepers, curators and staff everywhere (while, at the same time, working to course correct many of the mistakes still being made in zoo community.) Activists are often well-meaning, but misguided or poorly educated in terms of animal conservation facts and are now tending to do more harm than good to the animals they claim to love. I first became involved when I spoke out against a certain organization without having all the facts; something that I abhor in others and was mortified to find that I’d done myself. So I have spent the last ten years educating myself on what’s really going in all areas of preservation and conservation both at home and abroad. I give all the credit to one man, Dr. Grey Stafford, who approached me initially and has been my mentor ever since. People can now listen to my online podcast: “Animal Magnetism” on www.ubnradio.com if they’re truly interested in saving species and humans!
HC: Can you tell us about your involvement with Breaking the Chains?
CH: Breaking The Chains is a new but mighty non-profit specifically geared toward finding methods of recovery for eating disorders which are centered in the arts. I was asked by its founder, Debra Hopkins, to create a video for their EPK focused on how, potentially, the art and simple act of writing might be us value to someone who’s struggling. From there, I was asked onto the BOD and have recently designed a “bauble” for the BeBrilliant Bag limited edition tote (with proceeds, of course, going to BTC.) Debra has big things planned for the coming year and I am thrilled to be a part of it because, as I have said elsewhere, there’s not one place on this planet where, at any and all times, eating disorders aren’t affecting someone(s). We can live without so many things…i.e. drugs and alcohol…but eating disorders present of very tricky problem because we cannot live without food.
HC: Do you have any favorite college memories?
CH: My favorite college memory is from my time at the RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art): a fellow scene-study classmate and I had stepped out onto what we thought was a hidden balcony and were rehearsing a Viola/Olivia scene from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. After running through it a few times…badly…we got ourselves to a point where it was actually starting to work. We paused and after a few seconds, we heard clapping; very slowly at first but then really building. We looked at a building across the courtyard and there were three construction workers hanging out of a window who’d been watching the entire time, giving us a rousing applause. We giggled, I remember, just mortified…then we turned to face them and took our bows…feeling like Tony winners.
HC: Do you have any advice for college girls?
CH: Advice for college girls? Unless you’re dealing with a proven-fact based course (i.e. history or math)…your professor’s opinion is entirely his or her own. It’s incumbent upon you all to formulate your own opinions based on your best research into ANY topic and stick to your guns. Develop your character at all times.HC: What is your favorite soap opera? (Other than General Hospital)CH: Watching my family during the holidays.HC: What was it like working with Courtney Cox on Cougar Town?CH: Courtney was nice to me when I was on the set. She’s extremely beautiful and very hard working.
Photos courtesy of Zimbio.