Hillary B. Smith (Nora, One Life to Live)

my first celebrity crush: It was a simultaneous crush – Milton Berle (I made him monogrammed bookends and then was too shy to send them) and Peter Tork of the Monkees. Never made him anything, just dreamed about him! I still laugh out loud at those reruns.

my first childhood memory: I was crawling and could hear the crinkle of my diapers. I came to a huge step and had to turn around and go down the step backward. After I did, I was tired so I sat down and leaned back against the step. I remember seeing my mother’s legs coming to me. She picked me up, and I saw my father and a whole bunch of people over her shoulder as she carried me out. I had escaped from the babysitter and crawled into the middle of a party.

fear I would like to conquer: Most of my fears are healthy. I guess my fear of getting hurt. I have so much I want to do in life; I don’t want to get hurt and be unable to do it all. So I tend to be too cautious sometimes.

if I weren’t an actress, I’d be: a forensic DNA expert. I was getting my masters in human genetics, so it would have been a great career for me. I love crime-solving.

most embarrassing moment: I don’t remember…!

biggest mistake I ever made: I don’t believe in hanging on to mistakes. I remember the lessons learned. Not learning would be a terrible mistake.

something you would be surprised to know about me: I am a competitive tennis player and paddle tennis player. I compete in a league.

question most often asked of me: From fans: “Where do you live?” From soap mags: “What is your most embarrassing moment?” Funnily enough, they usually get the same response.