Though fans around the world have come to recognize Hillary for her role as OLTL’s charming and irrepressible DA, Nora’s alter ego has led quite an incredible life.  She sacrificed a career in human genetics to pursue her lifelong ambition of becoming a professional actress, battled facial paralysis just as her career was skyrocketing to fame, and disproved naysayers who insisted she didn’t possess the physical attributes that would endear her to a successful career within the daytime medium.  This is a woman who is unabashedly honest and opinionated, and one who possesses strong convictions and boasts a colorful sense of humor.  Perhaps none are more impressed with her courage, dignity and survivability than her fans.  This Emmy-winner is modest about her appearance, rebuffing the notion that she can be labeled “beautiful” and claiming instead to have made her mark as the “the bold one” who strove to stand out while being reared in a household, the youngest of four girls.  Hillary gave her heart to a man at the tender age of fourteen, a man whom she married twelve years thereafter and one with whom she has spent the past twenty-five years, carving out a life that is an inspiration for all and the envy of many.  She single-handedly dispels the notion that “having it all” means abandoning one’s dreams, having given passionately of herself to family, friends and fans over the years while fiercely pursuing her craft.  She has consistently reinvented herself throughout her career, having sought new challenges that solidify her place as a powerhouse talent, and one that is viable, relevant and dynamic.  While much of her life has been a self-declared “open book,” here are some lesser known, insightful facts about Nora’s portrayer:

• Hillary’s childhood was a happy and active time, full of fond memories and that which fueled a fierce competitive spirit in academics and organized sports. She competed in tennis in the USLTA’s and played her very first tournament against none other than future tennis greats, Chris and Jeanne Evert. She also took ballroom dance lessons from the third through the eighth grades, which is where she began cultivating many of the talented moves fans saw her execute onscreen throughout the years. Though dance instruction began at her mother’s urging, Hillary quickly developed a passion for ballroom dance and eagerly anticipated each Wednesday evening, when she would don white gloves, dresses, socks and party shoes, and burst out the door for weekly lessons. Hillary’s love for dance and tennis would follow her through life and continues to this day.
• Hillary spent the summer of 1974 visiting with a friend in Iran, which marked the first time she felt a surge of patriotism, as well as a renewed sense of gratitude for her American citizenship. She returned years later with her son Phips (who was one year-old at the time), which just so happened to coincide with the cusp of the hostage crisis. Hillary suddenly found herself caught in Tehran during the Iran/Iraq war, but managed to escape into Pakistan, finally exiting via Turkey. The entire experience was not laden with drama, however. She managed to learn just enough Farsi (an Indo-European language which is predominant in Iran) during her Mideast travels to communicate with locals and enjoy some fun.
• Impressed by a friend's knack for imitating the sound of a raindrop - and not to be outdone - Hillary once spent hours sitting around popping her cheek until she could make the sound...and then spent countless more hours perfecting her technique until she could execute the sound flawlessly.
• Though lovingly dubbed by OLTL's Robin Strasser as "good Yankee stock" and despite having the surname "Bailey," Hillary's paternal grandmother hails from Naples, Italy.
• While she hasn't had much of an opportunity to showcase her strong vocal skills on OLTL, Hillary received formal voice training early in her career and possesses a lovely singing voice. Hillary finally had an opportunity to strut her musical prowess when she performed at ABC Daytime Salutes "Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids" on March 2, 2008, to rave reviews from fans. Appropriately enough, she sang a number entitled "This Must Be Wrong" from Song Night in the City...the play that launched her professional career when she was a senior in college.
• Hillary possesses an affinity for designer shoes, perhaps evoking the former shoe model within her, having once satisfied her craving by purchasing several pairs while in between flights at the airport. Now that's multi-tasking at its finest!
• Unlike her onscreen alter ego, Hillary is a fabulous cook, having shared favorite recipes with fans on television via Soap Talk as well as in various periodicals over the years. She proudly admits to making a mouth-watering, traditional Christmas Eve dinner each year, as well as an annual Thanksgiving feast that incorporates generations-old family recipes.
• Hillary drew from her personal, real life experience with facial paralysis when Nora's character was recovering from the effects of enduring a stroke, subsequent to emerging from her coma. In fact, OLTL's writers deliberately penned Nora as suffering from paralysis on the left side because of Hillary's expertise in learning how to deaden the left side of her face, just as when she had her parotid tumor surgically removed decades prior.
• Though fierce onscreen rivals, Hillary and Catherine Hickland are the best of friends in life. While their alter egos love to battle over men, morals and histories, off-screen these two women are the dearest of friends. Hillary and Catherine developed a live comedy show, entitled A Couple of Soap Chicks, which they debuted to rave reviews at The Brokerage in Bellmore, NY in June of 2003. Ironically, and unbeknownst to either, both women resided within miles of one another while living in Florida during their youth. Perhaps this connection acted as a precursor to an incredible friendship forged decades later, and that which laid the foundation for one of soapdom’s greatest onscreen rivalries. A rivalry deeply loved by fans and one which boosted OLTL’s ratings and fascinated the media so greatly that it garnered both women a guest appearance on ABC Daytime’s The View (2003).

Craving more fun facts about the driving force behind Llanview’s legal eagle?  Hillary remains a competitive tennis, paddle and avid golf player, and enjoys boating and waterskiing as well. She holds an appreciation for antique furniture and collectibles, and enjoys knitting and reading as a means to relax and unwind. She bears a fascination for medicine that stems from a scientific background as well as from her own medical struggles. She routinely gives commencement addresses to graduating classes, encouraging young women to be true to themselves and inspiring them to passionately pursue their ambitions. She is incredibly fond of word and card games, both of which fuel her competitive spirit. Hillary and her husband co-founded a successful real estate company, Phillary Management, Inc., which highlights yet another facet of their extraordinary partnership and enables Hillary to tap into her passion for interior design. Hillary is very active in charitable endeavors, and volunteers much of her time to supporting network-sponsored fundraising events as well as those of her castmates. As first reported in the OHBSFC newsletter, she co-founded an endowment for the CA-based Sherman Oaks Veterinary Group, which discreetly assists pet owners whose vet bills have grown monumental or burdensome in nature.  Always one to hone her craft and explore new opportunities, Hillary recently signed on for a role in a short film penned by OLTL co-star, Trevor St. John (Todd Manning). The project will be directed by former OLTL co-star Dan Gauthier (Kevin Buchanan), with filming set to commence this month.  While her life experiences simply cannot be contained herein, this snapshot serves to remind each of us why Hillary is so highly-regarded and immensely loved by all whose lives she has touched.  Often times, a brief pause and momentary peek behind the scenes is worth its weight in gold, as it reminds us how fortunate we are to be part of this amazing woman’s life journey, and solidifies our resolve to battle on her behalf.