Show Notes
Gail O’Grady became one of television’s most recognizable faces as Donna Abandando on the groundbreaking ABC drama NYPD Blue. In this encore episode of Still Here Hollywood, Gail joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about the role that changed her career, why she decided to leave the hit series, and why she now wishes she had stayed longer.
Gail also remembers legendary producer Steven Bochco, reveals the unusual way she created Donna for her NYPD Blue audition, talks about working with Sharon Lawrence, and shares stories from Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: SVU, Boston Legal and more.
She opens up about becoming a mother in her 40s, moving back to Chicago to care for her father, the confidence she wishes she had when she was younger, and the advice she has passed along to her son.
Plus, Gail recalls getting actually slapped while filming Desperate Housewives, being starstruck by Henry Winkler during her first days in Hollywood, meeting one of her acting heroes, Anne Bancroft, and working on J.J. Abrams’ Duster.
00:00 Gail O’Grady on Still Here Hollywood 01:03 Success and Emmy Recognition on NYPD Blue 02:06 Why Gail O’Grady Left NYPD Blue 02:49 The Decision She Now Regrets 03:05 Remembering Steven Bochco 04:10 How Gail Landed NYPD Blue 06:18 Sharon Lawrence and the NYPD Blue Cast 07:03 Leaving Los Angeles 08:34 Advice for Young Actors 11:30 Becoming a Mother in Her 40s 12:56 Behind the Scenes of Desperate Housewives 14:39 Working on Law & Order: SVU 15:32 The Career Gail Might Have Chosen 16:14 Moving Home to Care for Her Father 17:20 Career Highs and Lows 18:56 How NYPD Blue Changed Everything 19:56 Meeting Anne Bancroft 21:13 Gail's Favorite Childhood Memories 22:17 Bad Habits and Belinda Carlisle 23:10 Advice for Her Son 24:18 Getting Robbed in Rome 25:22 Fame and Fan Encounters 27:31 Her Hilarious Henry Winkler Encounter 29:09 Near-Death Experiences 30:15 Her Favorite NYPD Blue Storyline 31:20 The Confidence She Wishes She Had 33:42 Her Father Became Her Scene Partner 34:48 Gail Talks About Duster
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