Carolyn Hennesy

By Derek in Actors and Actresses on Mar. 16, 2009

Diane Miller, esq. from "General Hospital" Talks to jitZul About Acting

Carolyn Hennesy is recognized by soap opera fans as Diane Miller, the smart, sassy mob lawyer on "General Hospital". But this talented actress actually has a large background in comedy work. She is also an author of a series of young adult novels that feature the main character Pandora.

Visit Carolyn's Website for more information.

When did you realize that you wanted to perform as a career?

I think, like most actors, it was the first time I stepped onstage and heard the applause of an audience. With a father in the motion picture business, I was a bit of a studio brat and felt the grand rush of walking onto a sound stage at the age of four. I could tell then that there was something about it that just "called" to me. But it was really when I heard the applause for my word for the first time.

What is your main career goal for 2009?

At this point, and at this time in the country's economic evolution, I would be smart in saying that it is "to pay my mortgage." But creatively, I want to finish my fifth novel, do an indie or two, and stay smart and sassy in Port Charles.

Right now you're playing the role of mob lawyer Diane Miller on "General Hospital". How did that role come about?

Mark Teschner, the [casting director], called me a little over two years ago and said "I have two days of work for you on GH...interested?" Naturally, I said of course. He told me I would be playing the role of mob lawyer to Sonny Corinthos. I told him "Great! Who's that?"

You have been working on General Hospital for almost 200 episodes. Having portrayed the character Diane Miller for so long now do you find it hard to break out of character at the end of each day, or do you carry a bit of her home with you?

I like to think the wit comes home with me, and the fashion sense...of course, with that you also get the aching feet. That's about it. I have a wonderful husband at home who makes me feel the same way that I envision Max must make Diane feel at the end of a long day. Relaxed...no business...very comfortable.

You have an entensive background in comedy work, yet you are currently staring in General Hospital, as far from the comedy genre as you can get. How has this role and others similar, been different than your comedic roles?

Watch Diane for five minutes and you'll see, hopefully, that the comedic streak is in full force. It's all in the timing. Since I was part of the team that created Diane Miller out of basically a two-day back-burner role, there's so much of all that comedy training and timing in her...it's the way she handles everything she does on the show. Being the voice of the unbelieving audience, there is an incredulity and cynicism at the other characters that Diane has and that she speaks for the viewers at home; this can be very funny. The soap world is light years from the sit-com world, but none of it, in either genre works or makes sense if it is not played with 100% honesty and committment...not to the laughs, but the reality. Perhaps other comedic roles have been a little broader, but like Diane, they have all been very honest.

You are an accomplished film, television and stage actress. Do you find one more gratifying than another?

More gratifying? No. Gratifying in different ways? Absolutely. The connection with an audience when you're onstage is indescribable. But the beauty of seeing your own work on screen (in the hands of a terrific editor) is also wonderful.

What is the most challenging role you've ever had to play?

The role of a government agent in the play "Two Rooms" at the Santa Barbara Theatre Company. Grueling. Had to be absolutely stoic and, for all intents, cold and unfeeling...when I, the actress, was screaming inside. Brutal.

Sometimes when portraying a certain character, your character may do things that go against your moral code. How do you deal with such material?

In many ways, those are the most delicious roles to play. To delve into the psyche of someone morally abhorrent to me and find out exactly where, why and how they are convinced they are right is terribly interesting... sometimes a little frightening. There is always a reason why someone thinks and acts the way they do...finding that reason and really committing to it is the art of the craft.

You have been involved with show business in some form your entire life. Have you ever gotten tired of all that it demands and thought about leaving the industry for something different?

Not once. I've become frustrated beyond belief at various times, to be certain...but giving it up? Never.

Is there a role or character you wish you to play but have yet to be cast in?

Elizabeth Barrett in "The Barretts of Wimpole Street." A polar opposite to what I've been "typed" as.

If you could perform with any actor, living or deceased, who it would be?

Helen Mirren or Geoffrey Rush...alive. Charles Laughton or Buster Keaton...deceased.

In addition to acting, you are also an author. What inspired you to write your Pandora series?

It's a great tale: Pandora began as one in a series of very short stories. I was in a writing workshop and I read the story in class one day for feedback. A visiting author, auditing the class, told me that my little story was, in reality, a novel for young adults. I expanded it to a series. He told me to write 1000 words a day for the next six weeks and at the end, I would have my first novel. And I did. His suggestion was the catalyst for the whole thing.

Do you plan to write other novels in the future? If so, have you thought about the genres you would like to explore as an author?

I have no set plans to write anything after Pandora (except my name in the registration book of some exotic, far away hotel)...although I do have an idea percolation for a gothic novel for adults.

How long does it take you to write one novel?

It differs from book to book, and depends greatly on what else is going on in my life at the time. One book took six weeks while another took several months.

Your biography states that you speak American Sign Language. Why did you pick up this talent and is it something you use often?

I am so dreadfully out of practice...and no I don't find occasion to use it often. I studied it initially because I think it is probably the most beautiful language of all.

According to your website, you are currently studying the flying trapeze. Please tell us more about that.

My writing/GH schedule has prohibited me from taking to the air for a while...but I am determined to fly again soon. There's nothing else like it, except perhaps skydiving (which I have never done). It requires tremendous upper body strength and a great deal of stamina. There's a school for all sorts of aerial skills in Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley) run by a man who is third or fourth generation "circus." Whereas most people have a pool in their backyard...he has a full sized trapeze rig. For most people, myself included, it was the initial fear of climbing the ladder up to the teeny-tiny platform that was the real hurdle. The actual flying is simply tremendous fun...because you know all the while that, until you are truly proficient, you'll always be in a safety-belt with someone you can trust on the other end.

What is one mistake aspiring actors seem to make?

Being desperate. CD's [casting directors], directors, producers can smell it a mile away and nobody wants to work with it. If you don't get a particular role...don't sweat it. Really. In the long run, it just doesn't matter. There will always be another role...always.

What advice can you give to aspiring actors?

Respect the crew. They're generally smarter than you, and most of them work harder in one day than you will in a year and they get none of the recognition. They're your life blood; they've seen it all, they can spot a diva in a heartbeat and they will not hesitate to make your life hell if you behave like a brat. Show up on time, know your lines, don't make anybody wait while you're off someplace showing everyone how "special" you are. Be the kind of person that everyone wants to work with...and odds are, you'll work.