Soap Opera Digest
April 3, 2007
In 2005, a previously undiagnosed brain aneurysm sent Nora into a six-month coma.
What did you think about while playing comatose? “I didn’t have a chance to think about anything – I had to do my own respirator breathing. I took that job on myself because I can’t stand watching people on respirators when their chest doesn’t move because I’ve seen people on respirators and their chest moves. It was my idea and I’m sure they hated me for it, but I am one of those particular people.”
What id the respirator breathing entail? “You had to time it to the machine, so I had to make this noise [imitates noise] and then fill my chest up [imitates noise again], then inflate my chest, all to the timing of the machine. When I did it, I just kind of did it lightly, and then when we went to tape it, I did it in full force and I heard Bob Woods [Bo] go, ‘What the heck is going on in there? Who is that, Darth Vader? I guess he wasn’t expecting it [laughs].”
Was this a relatively easy gig? “Yes, [but] it’s hard because you’ve got everything taped in and then you can’t wait to get it off…I’d arrive with no hair and no makeup, get into bed, take off my shirt, get on the johnny and they’d tape me up. It was like the easiest work I’ve ever had to do, except the hardest thing was doing the respirator breathing and keep that going.”
Was part of the time in a coma related to contract negotiations? “Well, I was put in a coma and I think the idea was I would leave the show. And then we did a year extension with the idea that they would wake Nora up and they didn’t wake her up until [March]. So, there was a lot to do with me being on the show or not being on the show and would they use me or wouldn’t they use me?”
When did you get tired of playing comatose? “Pretty much in the first month. You go in and you get all dressed up and you know you’re never coming out of it, and you’re like, ‘Why am I here?’”
What is your favorite Nora moment? If you had to search for one moment or event in Nora’s life that captured the essence of why you fell in love with this character, and how Hillary won your heart, what would it be? As Hillary speeds through her fifteenth year on the show, she has created many unforgettable moments as Nora and brought countless storylines to life. Men have come and gone, children have grown and her faith has been tested by innumerable sources of conflict. All that Nora has endured, whether good, bad, or indifferent, has contributed to her character development. Some might say that she is a much different person than when she first appeared on OLTL’s canvas back in 1992. Others might say that Nora’s life experiences have brought her closer to the strong-willed attorney who first set foot in Llanview. I asked some fans if they would share their favorite Nora moments with us, and those which have stood the test of time. This character has weathered many storms, as have Hillary’s fans, and each of us undoubtedly possesses one moment or quality that is defining for the character and for the viewers.
Beth from IN: “I would have to say the train wreck and storyline involving Colin, because we just didn’t know what was going to happen. It put Nora’s character in a position where she was forced to depend upon someone for her survival, and this was so unusual and out of character for her. Yet I never saw it as a moment of weakness for Nora; in fact, I viewed it as a crisis of faith that showcased her strength and survivability skills. I truly believe that storyline provided a defining moment in Nora’s character and for the fans.” Carole from TX: “My favorite Nora moment of all time is still when she gave the closing arguments at Todd’s trial. I used to watch Hillary on ATWT, so I was already a huge fan when she came onto OLTL. I thought the writers did a smart thing back then, by introducing Nora’s character slowly onto the canvas. When time had come in the Todd-Marty rape storyline for Nora’s closing arguments, it was at this moment I realized that this character was something special. I knew right then that Nora would be a fixture on OLTL’s canvas for years to come, and though Hillary has given me so much joy and created so many special moments for me through the character, her performances at Todd’s trial are still my favorite.” Julia from CA: “I still love when Todd held Nora captive and she escaped from him. I know it was a long time ago, but I think that one moment personified who Nora is and showed her strength and resolve. It was tough to watch at the time, but looking back, paved the way and set a course for the kind of person Nora would become. She has always been a fighter, and that moment really stands out in my head as one that was really significant to the character.”
Katherine from NC: “It had to be the moment when Nora thought Bo slept with Georgie. That was horrific, but at the same time, took Bo and Nora’s relationship to a whole new level. That was a huge hurdle for them, but forced Nora to look in the mirror and acknowledge how deeply she loved Bo. I will never forget that moment as long as I live, because it was so intense and the aftermath changed Nora forever.” Martha from FL: “I will always love her wedding to Bo. It was so real because they were honest about having doubts over getting married. I'd really like to see more Bo and Nora interaction because it has been lacking in the show for too long. There is way too little of them in the police station working together like in the past. We need more family scenes with Matthew, Renee, Viki, Clint etc. Soaps are about generations as I continually state. I'd also love to see Rachel back along with Hank. I'd write more romance and humorous scenes with Nora's antagonists.” Rosanna from CA: “My favorite Nora scene in a long time was just recently, when she was summoned by Viki to talk about ‘man problems.’ Nora is someone we almost forgot is good friends with Viki. This brought history to the forefront at last. Viki aired her concerns about Clint to Nora, and Nora naturally gave her advice. Nora doesn’t beat around the bush; she goes right to the heart of the matter and this she did with Viki. I love Nora’s forthright attitude. Regardless of the outcome of Nora’s advice, showing these two dear friends together, talking about real worries, mirrored reality. In real life, girlfriends talk about what is worrying them. Having these two incredible veterans talking, laughing, and working things out is what makes for good soap. No propping of others, no stunts. Just two of the finest actors in daytime having good old-fashioned soap talk. Bring on more!”
Rosemarie from AZ: “I would have to say that when Nora realized Rachel had a drug problem, and fallout that occurred from that one moment, really hit home with me. I experienced this with my oldest son and strangely enough, it was occurring in my personal life at the same time as it was happening onscreen for Nora. So there was this strange parallel going on that really was a comfort for me. This one moment was not only defining for me, but I believe it was defining for Nora, because it would truly test her faith as a parent. It may be something difficult to relate to unless you’ve personally experienced it, but there’s no greater test for a parent than when you are pushed to a wall and worried about losing a child in any capacity. That moment definitely was a standout for me, and Hillary was brilliant throughout the entire Rachel ordeal, as always.” Staci from NJ: “I honestly had the most difficult time picking just one moment, but I finally decided on Matthew’s birth. It was at this particular moment that I realized how Nora had reached a turning point in her life. She came into Llanview with an agenda, and resisted falling in love every step of the way. We saw her evolve from this tough attorney to a woman who was strong, yet feminine and vulnerable. There was something about Matt’s birth that signified that Nora had reached another milestone in her life, because she finally seemed to have it all – and isn’t that what all of us are after?!” Terri from PA: “The culminating moment isn’t just a scene in the show, but rather the essence of the character. Nora has always been a well-defined character who could be as strong as she needed to be, but could also expose her vulnerable side. She was written as a character that had a life outside of the work realm and could have fun, enjoy junk food, and let loose like the rest of us. The best quality of the character for me, personally, is that she is Jewish. My favorite Nora memories have always been when the character celebrated high holidays and used Hebrew to recite prayers and illustrate other Jewish rituals. I would like to see the writers honor her Jewish heritage by incorporating it into Nora’s future character development.”
Hillary has impacted so many people on both a personal and professional level through her portrayal as Nora. Time after time, Nora is a character that fans can relate to, as each of us holds memories close to our heart and owns a personal story of how Hillary touched us through this character. Some of these memories are “oldies but goodies”, while others have yet to be written. This is a character that has proven she has staying power, and Hillary’s interpretation of the character offers something unique to each of us. It is my greatest hope that just as the above fans have shared their favorite memories, we shall continue to pass these thoughts onto those penning the character and plotting her future. The time is ripe to take an active role in Nora’s development, as there is much unexplored territory in the way of story for her. We have recently witnessed old relationships revisited onscreen, and watched significant character history utilized and incorporated into story. Very few know this character better than her fans, and one of the best ways in which to honor Nora’s history is by defining her future through these fond memories and our collective vision.
Soap Opera Magazine
July 14, 1998
Daytime's 50 Most Beautiful People
"Hillary B. Smith (Nora) is a lady in every sense of the word, but at the same time, she can easily hold her own as one of the guys because nothing intimidates her,” says her OLTL co-star Nathan Purdee (Hank). “She’s coming from such a secure place, and a big part of that has to do with her love for her husband,” he explains. “She just loves that man like nobody’s business. She talks about him like he’s the only guy on the planet, and that is something that makes her even more beautiful in my eyes.”
The husband in question is Philip “Nip” Smith, and hearing his wife talk about him, it’s easy to understand what Purdee means, “I feel like I’m in a unique position,” Smith theorizes. “I’m with my soul mate, and once you’ve got that, everything else just falls into place.”
The “everything else” could refer to her preeminence on daytime television, her feature film and primetime television career, her work on Broadway or her thriving family life. And what does the busy actress herself perceive beauty to be? As Smith tells her two children, “Beauty starts on the inside and works its way out. It’s as simple as that.”
(on something surprising a co-star has said)
“I guess one that stands out was Timothy Stickney (RJ). He said
that when he worked with me, he had to be on his toes.
I think he’s a consummate professional and it was very funny for
him to feel that way about me.”