Soap Opera Weekly
April 22, 2008
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.
(Nora doesn’t have time for Lindsay.)
Nora: The legal counsel for B.E. is out of the country,
so I’m helping Clint and Bo avoid an urgent crisis. And since all you’re
capable of faking is the occasional nervous breakdown, you should probably
go.
Lindsay: Wow. Look at those frown lines. Hmm. They just
keep getting deeper and deeper. I guess that’s the price that you have to
pay for being bitter.
We have much for which to be thankful as the month of May rolls around. Spring has finally arrived for those of us dwelling in seasonal climates, and with this transition brings a return to outdoor fun and a flurry of family activity. This time of year also marks the passage of rites for many children and those they love, as it brings confirmations, graduations, births, and reaffirmations of faith. It is perhaps my favorite time of year, because winter has finally retreated, and has been replaced instead by earnest anticipation for what lies ahead, as well as new growth. May marks the return of Ron Carlivati’s material to the screen, much to the delight of many OLTL fans. May 25th brings another birthday for Hillary, and I consider it an immense privilege to stand alongside many others and share in her life, and feel privileged and honored to commemorate this milestone with her in that regard. A wonderful way to celebrate her presence is by reflecting on those whose lives she has touched and how she has impacted her fans throughout the years. What follows is a Q&A session with Candice, one of Hillary’s staunchest fans and co-creator of the “Notoriously Nora” message board.
NAME: Candice Meredith
HAILS FROM: Bowling Green, Kentucky
FUN FACTS: I co-founded the Notoriously Nora message board with my friend Laura. It was back in October and I had been talking about how I wished there was a place where Hillary/Nora fans could come together and chat. I wanted a place where people would be comfortable to come and post with other fans and not feel judged about what pairing they were a fan of. I've been a fan of almost all the Nora pairings so I try to make it a point that everyone has the right to their own opinion at the board because we all share one common interest--Nora. Laura and I chatted about names and such and then I stayed up the majority of the night working on graphics and setting the board up. It was up and running in a day and both of us went around putting the link out so everyone could join in on the fun. It has definitely been fun!
OLTL FAN SINCE… 1999. Actually, the first episode I ever saw was the Woman of the Year episode when Bo found out about Nora and Sam. I was home sick from school and my mom called from work and asked me to record it for her. I remember she said that she just had to find out what happened with Bo and Nora and all I could think was "Who the heck are Bo and Nora?!" I watched the whole episode and when my mom came home, I bombarded her with questions about Nora and her past. I've been watching ever since.
HAVE YOU EVER MET HILLARY? I have! I met her last summer during a trip to NYC for my 21st birthday. I was pretty lucky to meet her because the day I did was the day I was flying back home. For years, I never thought I'd have the chance to meet her, but there I was--and I couldn't think of a thing to say! I couldn't even speak; my boyfriend was the one who had to ask if I could take a picture with her! She's exactly what you imagine her to be--genuine, extremely personable and very sweet.
FAVORITE NORA MEMORY: I don't think it's even possible for me to choose one. The Thanksgiving food fight was probably my favorite. I pretty much enjoy everything but I really like all the scenes with Nora and Lindsay because Hillary and Catherine's chemistry just shines right through the screen. It's so much fun to watch those two together because it's really obvious that they have a strong friendship off-screen and it just makes everything that happens between their characters that much more entertaining.
FAVORITE HILLARY PERFORMANCE: It's hard to pick just one. I really liked the aftermath of Bo finding out about Nora sleeping with Sam. Hillary was amazing in those scenes. I was only 12 and had only been watching for about a week but I was feeling the pain and crying right along with Nora. I also loved when Nora lost her memory-- she was really great during those times too.
HOW HAS HILLARY IMPACTED YOUR LIFE OVER THE COURSE OF BEING A FAN? I have met so many fabulous people and formed strong friendships with other fans of hers. Some of my closest friends were made because we shared a common admiration for Hillary.
IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH HILLARY ONE-ON-ONE, WHAT WOULD YOU CHAT ABOUT? Everything. When I read articles and interviews of her, I'm just in awe of how much I learn from her in a few short paragraphs. She's so intelligent, full of insight and I'm sure, some very fun stories.
IF YOU COULD PLAY WRITER FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE? A best friend for Nora! It's been over a year since Nora's had someone that she could turn to that would give her the advice that only best friends can give. Also, I'd bring back Rachel and more of Nora's family. She'd definitely be the matriarch of the show if I was writing.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN TERMS OF NORA’S CHARACTER STORY-WISE? I'm looking forward to Nora and Clint's relationship growing. There's an incredible amount of chemistry between her and Jerry verDorn and I'm excited to see where it takes their characters. I'm looking forward to watching Nora deal with not only being Cole's guardian but also everything that will come along with Matthew growing up.
IF YOU COULD GIVE HILLARY ONE THING FOR HER BIRTHDAY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? A relaxing, fun day that she could spend with whomever, wherever. If anyone deserves that, it's her.
The following Hillary fans have also weighed in and thoughtfully shared their personal birthday wishes for Hillary:
Happy Birthday, Hillary! I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a prosperous, blessed year ahead of you. You have given your fans so much over the years, and you deserve nothing but the best. You are a true inspiration to me, and I am glad I had the chance to meet you! Dawn Renta, Beltsville, MD
I just wanted to let you know that you have been bringing joy to my life on a consistent basis for fifteen years now. You are beautiful, talented, smart, hilarious and soooo much more. I hope you have a fabulous birthday surrounded by all those you hold dear. With Much Love, Laura Hinsley, Sacramento, CA
The Happiest of Birthday Wishes to you Hillary!!! From 1986, I have loved you from Margo to Nora. You are the most talented, generous, down to earth and beautiful actress on any stage! I am a fan for LIFE!!! Happy Birthday!
Lori Proscio, Syracuse, NY
Hope you have a wonderful day Hillary!! All my best to you and the family!
Martha Turley, Brandon, FL
Hey Hillary, I really love watching you and I hope you have a great birthday!
Love, Mandy, Ontario, Canada
Hillary, your re-emergence as Nora on OLTL has breathed some much-needed fresh air into this show. During your enforced absence of 2007, there was a huge void where Nora’s vitality had been. You are a joy to watch as you bring every nuance into Nora’s expressions and emotions. You are a woman anyone would be proud to call friend. It gives me great pleasure to see you onscreen on a more frequent basis. Hillary, you totally rock! Have a wonderful birthday!
Much love, Rosanna Schmidgall, Pasadena, CA
Hi, Hillary! Happy Birthday to you! Thank you for sixteen incredible years of playing Nora. You have provided much enjoyment through your dramatic and humorous acting skills. No matter what is in store for Nora in the future, I will look forward to whatever happens. Roxann Kokula, North Braddock, PA
Dear Hillary, thank you for brightening my day with your talent and spirit whenever I get to see Nora on OLTL. I wish you health and happiness and I hope you day is filled with the people you enjoy and the kind of fun that makes your special day that much more! Happy Birthday! Valerie Gustin, Buffalo, Missouri
I wish to thank all the fans who so graciously participated in this month’s newsletter, as I am deeply grateful for their contributions! Please also remember to get those birthday wishes and cards in the mail to Hillary if you haven’t already done so. Have a safe and wonderful May, everyone!
“Catherine Hickland [Lindsay, inset]. The stuff she pulled out at that
trial when she didn’t have an episode with Paul Satterfield [ex-Spencer]
and she turned out to be Spencer’s killer and then had an emotional
breakdown. As far as I’m concerned, she pulled that one out of a hat.”
(Hillary on who should get an Emmy nomination - 2008)
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What is your favorite childhood memory of your father?
Hillary B. Smith (Nora): “My father was an engineer. He built submarines, so he was very into technology. He had a Timex watch – it was the first one with an alarm on it. I remember during dinner one night, his alarm went off and he went, ‘Quick, everyone!’ and my three sisters and I and my father and mother went out to the end of our dock and he made us all lie down and he said, ‘Now watch. You’re going to see a star move.’ And we watched and we watched and sure enough, we saw this star go moving through the sky. It was actually one of the first satellites ever to be up in the air, and my father had programmed his watch so he knew exactly when it would be going overhead. As we sat there, I thought, ‘Wow, my father can make the stars move.’”