Kirk Cameron and the Friendship Bracelet

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If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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Look what I dug up from a box in the garage?

The publicity team for The New Lassie got word that I, stalked liked Kirk Cameron.

So they sent me this.

I liked it although I was bummed you can't see the green friendship bracelet in this picture. I am positive he was wearing it. And I am pretty sure that he also signed "can't wait to marry you" but somehow it got erased.

If you don't know about the friendship bracelet that I made him you should read this.

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I Went to Kirk Cameron's House . . . Uninvited

Pin It Now! If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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This is a rerun and it's long, but I'm pretty sure it will be worth your time. And I updated it at the end.

I wanted to marry Kirk Cameron. And this is my E True Hollywood Story:

One year me and my compadres (Shannon and Kerry) went down for two weeks to L.A. for "pilot season." That's when sample shows are made in hopes of getting picked up for an entire season. My memory is a bit blurred. I am not sure it is the brain loss from childbearing and rearing or all the alcohol I never consumed.

Fortunately, Shannon's mind is crystal clear on the events leading up to the Kirk invasion. She has one kid and is an alcoholic. Okay she is not an alcoholic, but she would be if she had an alcohol addiction.

The following is her account of the events: (My commentary will be in blue and parenthesis.)


It was the Spring Break 1989. (So we are celebrating our 20-year anniversary of this historic event. If anyone wants to send us gifts, that's cool.)

We had ventured to LA for two or three weeks of auditions, our mothers rotating in and out to care for us. On the evening of the alleged Kirk stalking, we were in my mother's custody. (Rather, she was in our custody.)

The story begins where all great teen dramas (and pregnant ladies graze) develop...at Taco Bell.
The Taco Bell on Barham, across from Warner Bros, to be precise, where we had just wrapped up an audition for God knows what. Our stunning pre-pubescent looks caught the eye of a hot, young actor who had just shot his first pilot and was on his way to stardom. (See photo)
You all remember him from the Young Guns TV show, right? Yeah, I thought so.


We had no sooner finished our low-cal meal of multiple bean & cheese burritos, chicken soft tacos, and Mexican pizzas, when Wendy spotted Khrystyne Haje of Head of the Class, pulling out of the studio in her little convertible. "Follow that red hair!" she shouted. (Really Shannon? That was my shout out?! Doubtful. I am not denying that I may have recognized her and ordered the pursuit, but I just question the whole "Hey red head!" approach. As I recall, Shannon was just as eager to stalk and follow the young actress. And if you know Shannon, you know how animated she is. I know Kerry is nodding her head right now.)

And for some reason, my mother listened (Probably because of the screaming girls in the car. But deep down, I think she was a HUGE Haje fan.)
We lost Kristine after a few lights; the Chevy station wagon was no match for her sports car.

But Wendy had a better idea! "I know where Kirk Cameron lives! Let's go to his house so I can give him this friendship bracelet!" (I don't recall the details on the sequence of events, but I know search was more premeditated than this. I had the two page, hand-written letter in hand. Perhaps I carried it around with me in hopes that one of our moms would cave. And I had worked long and hard weaving the green and blue friendship bracelet. I had gotten his address from a kid I met on an audition who went to school with Candace Cameron. He gave me the address and I don't think I even had to give him gum or anything. I imagine he told me not to reveal my source. This is why I love 24 and can totally relate. Torture me Jack Bauer, but I will not give up the intel.)

Again, my mother obliged. Now, for the record, I'd like to point out that my mom is a reasonable woman with no criminal history or celebrity obsessions. I think she just figured there'd be more peace in the car than with the three of us (mostly Shannon) back at the Holiday Inn belting out Erasure Hits and Broadway Show Tunes. (So true.) So off we went.

Honestly, I cannot even tell you what city we drove to (I can, but won't under any circumstances), Wendy called all the shots from the backseat, shouting directions while penning a love letter. (Love letter was already penned.) Kerry rode shot gun, as she was already in high school and looking forward to her learner's permit.

We pulled up to an unassuming suburban home and Wendy cried with glee, "That's it!!!" We parked one house away and got out quietly. (Like we were sneaking up on him or something.) Actually just Wendy & I got out. This is where my mother drew the line. Kerry stated she was too mature for these antics, while I told Wendy that I would be her supportive friend and accompany her to the front door.

A few steps later, I noticed we were chewing gum. "Wendy, we can't be chewing gum when we knock - we'll look like such teenie-boppers!" We tossed the gum to the side, just as a gust of wind caught my hair. Guess what came next? I knocked on Kerry's window, desperate for help, as she basically laughed her butt off at the entire situation. By the time we got the gum out of my hair we were all laughing hysterically.

Finally, we proceeded to Kirk's door. We had rehearsed a speech, which I can't quite recall, but included the main points of us loving acting & Jesus, respecting Kirk's talent, and wanting to express our appreciation for him as one of the leading actor's of our time . . . that and we're not complete whack jobs, I swear! (She left out that I loved him and was destined to marry him.)

Kirk's dad answered the door; I noticed the family resemblance right away and was slightly taken aback that we actually had the right house. (Can't believe she was questioning my recon.) Wendy had asked me to do the set up because she was too nervous, (wow, it must have been true love) so I proceeded with my best smile and delivered my lines. (If you could have been there.)

Kirk's dad told us that neither he nor Candace were home - a crushing blow. Still, Wendy would not be defeated. She explained her friendship bracelet and handed it over with the letter. Mr. Cameron took it, smiled , and graciously wished us the best with our acting careers. (I knew that Kirk would read it, feel the connection, and call me right away. I waited and waited for the call. There was no facebook back then, okay there was not even internet. But if there were, I know he would have added me as a friend ASAP. But I think his phone must have been broken because he never called. I watched his wrist closely in the Teen mags and on TV because I knew I would one day spot him rocking my friendship bracelet. Never did see that one-of-kind love token on him. He probably slept with it under his pillow or put it in his safe or something.)

We drove back to the Holiday Inn for some hot fudge sundaes (oh the metabolism!) and some sweet storytelling. (And I waited for that call . . .)

UPDATE:

** Twenty plus years later, Kerry has gotten over her embarrassment and is now willing to associate with me once again. I will be speaking at her MOPS group at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, January 26th. Let me know if you live in that area and want to meet me because I have been to Kirk's house come hear me speak about "Taking Care of Mom." I will be at Coast Hills Church in Aliso Viejo on Thursday, January 27th.

**Shannon is now a producer for The Doctors. You might remember my trip down there last month when I went to a taping of the show. After the taping of the show I met one of the show's hosts Travis Stork. He asked me if I had any good stories about Shannon . . . I gave him the short version of this one. If Shannon has any integrity at all, she will email Travis Stork a link to this post so he can read the more detailed version of the events. Then his life will be complete.

As you can see from these pics, Shannon and I have matured quite a bit. We still have to take our smiley photo and our serious photo.

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Hollywood Days - The Big Bucks

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The checks keep just keep rollin' in. These are residuals I recently received from Growing Pains. The best part is that the check for $11.86 came within a week of the check for TWENTY SIX CENTS! Seriously people, can we not consolidate at all? How about if I sign a waiver that says if the check is worth less than a cost of a stamp just keep it--consider it a tip!

In other news, this was the commercial headshot I used when Barbara Cameron was my agent. That's Barbara Cameron, Kirk's mom. This was a few years after I showed up at her front door. I never did tell her about that. But she never did tell me that my hair was crazy so let's call it even.

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Hollywood Days - Growing Pains

Pin It Now! I booked the part of Cheryl Murray on "Growing Pains" within a month of landing the part on "The Wonder Years." Two of my favorite shows. "On Growing Pains" I was to play opposite Ben (Jeremy Miller) and Luke (Leonardi DiCaprio). I knew Jeremy from charity events. We both were very involved with Athletes and Entertainers for Kids. One year he was their national teen spokesperson and I took on that role the following year. Here is a photo of us at an AEFK event.

Leo had guest starred on "The New Lassie" although I didn't have any scenes with him. In fact, I think that might have been an episode I was written out of because I was sick. I can't remember if I actually met him when he was on Lassie, but we ended up in the same acting class so I knew him before I got the part on "Growing Pains."

We rehearsed for three days and the taped the show on the fourth day - in front of a live studio audience. I only had one brief scene with Kirk Cameron (Who I had previously kind of stalked in - my hopes to marry him. And I say "kind of" only because I was really an innocent, teeny bopper and not some whack job. Really, I promise. You know you would have done the same if you had his address is 1988.). By this point (a whopping three years later), I had fallen out of love with him. Not for anything he had done in the (nonexistent) relationship. I had just moved on. I had a real boyfriend from my hometown and I was over Kirk. He had moved on as well and was dating Chelsea Noble. The women he really married. Nevertheless, it was cool to work with him and meet him. I was truly living out my childhood dreams.

I was excited about Kirk's faith and suggested to he and Chelsea that we should say a little prayer before we taped the show. I think they were a little taken aback. First, I was only sixteen years old. Second, how many actors on their show had initiated that before? My guess is zero. I don't remember what was said in the prayer or if we had much conversation surrounding it, but we all prayed together in Kirk's trailer before we did the show.

On a side note, I did not ask him if he ever gotten my handwritten letter that I had given his dad. At this point, I was mortified that I had even done that. But I did notice that he was wearing the green friendship bracelet that I had made him. Kidding, kidding.

And as I recall, my guardians (the couple I lived with while I was down there) did say something to Kirk regarding my previous crush on him. I remember being really embarrassed because I think they said something about my marriage plans. But I've healed from all things Kirk related and am now able to talk about it. So I can help others.

This is the only photo I have from my "Growing Pains" experience. A polaroid taken by the wardrobe department.

Our imovie is glitchy so right now I can't upload more scenes from the "Growing Pains" episode. When my superstar techie husband fixes it I will post stuff. For now -- here is the clip from a scene with Leonardo that I posted a few months ago.

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Hollywood Days - Growing Pains Clip

Pin It Now! The moment you all (two of you) have been waiting for...

The rose ceremony, big reveal, "welcome home hagen family" from last week's "Guess Who This Is?"

Here is the pic once again:

On the left, the white bride is my buddy, Christina Nigra. She played Evie's best friend in "Out of this World." She was one of my closest Hollywood friends and I still keep in touch with her.

Next to her... I think it is Bobby Jacoby AKA as Billy Jayne, William Jayne, Billy Jacoby. Keep 'em guessing Bobby Billy. And even still, I am not sure if that is him. I feel like that was his name, but then when I look up his pics on the internet it doesn't seem like the same guy. Maybe along with his name changes he got some "work" done. Oh Christina or Carol Ann, can you help me out here? If it is him, he sure was HILARIOUS in "Just One of the Guys."

Girl in blue, borrowed dress - hey, that's me. And next to me, as Shannon and Courtney Keller Baugh guessed first, is Brian Austin Green. Nice work girls.

And for this week... here is a video I uploaded to youtube this week. Some of you have seen it already via FB and twitter. It's a clip of me guest starring on "Growing Pains" with Leonardo DiCaprio. We rehearsed for 3 days and then taped it in front of a live audience on the fourth day. He was actually sick the week we did the show. You would never know it, right? This was right before his movie 'This Boy's Life," which shot his career to the top. And right after Leonardo and acting classes together at Diane Hardin's acting school. And that class is another post...

More clips and tidbits to come... including my experience with the man I thought I was going to marry, Kirk Cameron.

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Hollywood Days - Leaving Jr. High

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After that first gathering where we read through a script, met all the producers, got fitted for wardrobe, etc. we (me and mom) returned home. My 8th grade French class had a sweet going away party for me as I was leaving before the school year finished.

I hate to bring up Kirk again, but not really. Cause he was such a big part of my life. And the Lassie people knew it. So our publicists for the show (The Lippin Group) got me an autographed picture of him. It was no rubber stamper. It said "To Wendy,
I love you and we will be married. Love Always, Kirk." That's a paraphrase, but it was something like that. Here is a photo of my friends checking out that photo. As you can see, they were totally in awe... of the blossoming love story. And I had another friend who gave me her most prized possession. It was her homemade scrapbook of Kirk. Filled with Bop pinups and Tiger Beat articles. I think I still have it somewhere. In a safe. Pin It Now!

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Hollywood Days - Moving to Hollywood

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I got the part. I was to play "Megan" on "The New Lassie." I was thrilled. Shannon and Kerry (my cohorts in auditioning in L.A.) were disappointed, but I know they were also happy for me. We are still good friends to this day.

I would be moving down to Hollywood to begin filming within weeks. We had some friends of the family that had volunteered to go down to L.A. with me should this moment ever come. But would they be available to just drop everything and move to Los Angeles with this 14 year-old? We called them. The answer was "Woof. Woof." They left Vegas and moved to Los Angeles. With 2 weeks notice. They were a young couple (early thirties - so young, so young) with no children.

But first my Mom and I flew down for a photo shoot, met all the Lassie people, got fitted for wardrobe, etc. I think this happened about a week after I was cast. What an exciting time. We were on the backlot at Universal Studios. On the same street where "The Burbs" was filmed and now "Desperate Housewives". I have some pictures of this first photo shoot, but I am not sure where they are right now. Hopefully I will find them and post them next Wednesday.

Notice on this Lassie memo that I was the only one whose character's first name was not their real name. The reason? Wen-dy. Lass-ie. They didn't want my name to upstage the dog. Couldn't have a name with the same ending sound. For real. It's that deep.



Here is an article that came out in our local newspaper shortly after I was cast in the show. The date was April 15, 1989. Click on it to enlarge and read. And note I even talked about Kirk Cameron.


Are you people still enjoying these Childhood Actress posts? At first I thought I wouldn't have that much to write about, but as I keep going I realize I probably have a book's worth of stories, photos, articles, etc.

And just for kicks, here is the advertisement in the adjacent page. Club Sport. Awesome outfit lady. One that I wore myself back... two days ago.

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Confessions of a Childhood Actress - Kirk's House

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If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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Okay, the story you all have been waiting for...

One year me and my compadres (Shannon and Kerry) went down for two weeks to L.A. for
"pilot season." That's when sample shows are made in hopes of getting picked up for an entire season. My memory is a bit blurred. I am not sure it is the brain loss from childbearing and rearing or all the alcohol I never consumed.

Fortunately, Shannon's mind is crystal clear on the events leading up to the Kirk invasion. She has one kid and is an alcoholic. Okay she is not an alcoholic, but she would be if she had an alcohol addiction. The following is her account of the events. My commentary will be in parenthesis bolded.



It was the Spring Break 1989 (so we are celebrating our 20-year anniversary of this historic event). (If anyone wants to send us gifts, that's cool). We had ventured to LA for two or three weeks of auditions, our mothers rotating in and out to care for us. On the evening of the alleged (alleged?) Kirk stalking, we were in my mother's custody. (Rather, she was in our custody.)

The story begins where all great teen dramas (and pregnant ladies graze) develop...at Taco Bell.
The Taco Bell on Barham, across from Warner Bros, to be precise, where we had just wrapped up an audition for God knows what. Our stunning pre-pubescent looks caught the eye of a hot, young actor who had just shot his first pilot and was on his way to stardom. (See photo) You all remember him from the Young Guns TV show, right? Yeah, I thought so.


We had no sooner finished our low-cal meal of multiple bean & cheese burritos, chicken soft tacos, and Mexican pizzas, when Wendy spotted Khrystyne Haje of Head of the Class, pulling out of the studio in her little convertible. "Follow that red hair!" she shouted. (Really Shannon? That was my shout out?! Doubtful. I am not denying that I may have recognized her and ordered the pursuit, but I just question the whole "Hey red head!" approach. As I recall, Shannon was just as eager to stalk and follow the young actress. And if you know Shannon, you know how dramatic animated she is. I know Kerry is nodding her head right now.) And for some reason, my mother listened (Probably because of the screaming girls in the car. But deep down, I think she was a HUGE Haje fan. ) We lost Kristine after a few lights; the Chevy station wagon was no match for her sports car.

But Wendy had a better idea! "I know where Kirk Cameron lives! Let's go to his house so I can give him this friendship bracelet!" (I don't recall the details on the sequence of events, but I know search was more premeditated than this. I had the two page, hand-written letter in hand. Perhaps I carried it around with me in hopes that one of our Moms would cave. And I had worked long and hard weaving the green and blue friendship bracelet. I had gotten his address from a kid I met on an audition who went to school with Candace Cameron. He gave me the address and I don't think I even had to give him gum or anything. I imagine he told me not to reveal my source. This is why I LOVE "24" and can totally relate. Torture me Jack Bauer, but I will not give up the intel.)
Again, my mother obliged. Now, for the record, I'd like to point out that my mom is a reasonable woman with no criminal history or celebrity obsessions. I think she just figured there'd be more peace in the car than with the three of us (mostly Shannon) back at the Holiday Inn belting out Erasure Hits and Broadway Show Tunes. (So true.) So off we went.

Honestly, I cannot even tell you what city we drove to (I can, but won't under any circumstances), Wendy called all the shots from the backseat, shouting directions while penning a love letter. (Love letter was already penned.) Kerry rode shot gun, as she was already in high school and looking forward to her learner's permit. (And she was totally embarrassed by our childish escapades.) We pulled up to an unassuming suburban home and Wendy cried with glee, "That's it!!!" We parked one house away and got out quietly. (Like we were sneaking up on him or something.) Actually just Wendy & I got out. This is where my mother drew the line. Kerry stated she was too mature for these antics, while I told Wendy that I would be her supportive friend and accompany her to the front door. A few steps later, I noticed we were chewing gum. "Wendy, we can't be chewing gum when we knock - we'll look like such teenie-boppers!" We tossed the gum to the side, just as a gust of wind caught my hair. Guess what came next? I knocked on Kerry's window, desperate for help, as she basically laughed her butt off at the entire situation. By the time we got the gum out of my hair we were all laughing hysterically.

Finally, we proceeded to Kirk's door. We had rehearsed a speech, which I can't quite recall, but included the main points of us loving acting & Jesus, respecting Kirk's talent, and wanting to express our appreciation for him as one of the leading actor's of our time...that and we're not complete whack jobs, I swear! (She left out that I loved him and was destined to marry him.) Kirk's dad answered the door; I noticed the family resemblance right away and was slightly taken aback that we actually had the right house. (Can't believe she was questioning my recon.) Wendy had asked me to do the set up because she was too nervous, (wow, it must have been true love) so I proceeded with my best smile and delivered my lines. (If you could have been there.) Kirk's dad told us that neither he nor Candace were home - a crushing blow. Still, Wendy would not be defeated. She explained her friendship bracelet and handed it over with the letter. Mr. Cameron took it, smiled (you know he was CRACKING UP on the inside), and graciously wished us the best with our acting careers. (I knew that Kirk would read it, feel the connection and call me right away. I waited and waited for the call. There was no facebook back then, okay there was not even internet. But if there were, I KNOW he would have added me as a friend ASAP. But I think his phone must have been broken because he never called. I watched his wrist closely in the Teen mags and on TV because I knew I would one day spot him rocking my friendship bracelet. Never did see that one-of-kind love token on him. He probably slept with it under his pillow or put it in his safe or something.)

We drove back to the Holiday Inn for some hot fudge sundaes (oh the metabolism!) and some sweet storytelling. (And I waited for that call . . .)

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Confessions of a Childhood Actress - Print Ads

Pin It Now! This is some print work I did for Apple Computers. This may be the reason why Shiloh married me.

I was on the box of a wanna be Teddy Ruxpin bear called Smartie Bear. Or was it Smarty Bear? I am not smart 'nuff to remember.


So after a lot of action in Nor Cal we decided to head south as the Bay Area did not provide the television opportunities that Los Angeles did. One of producers of one of the commercials I did recommended an agency in So Cal. I think I was about eleven when we signed on with MGA (Mary Grady Agency) in Burbank. This is me and Mary. How about that old school phone?

Check out my Zed card. Notice the black line. That is my social security number! Had it on all my junk. I guess there was no such thing as identity theft back then. And yes, I did go by "Wendy J. Cox." Oh yeah baby, that was intentional. Rhymed with Michael J. Fox, which was important. Because he was cool. I later met him at Universal Studios when he was shooting "Back to the Future Part II" just outside the Lassie production offices. He was nice. I gave him a little "Lassie" t-shirt for his kid, Sam.

My Mom and I began to drive and fly down to L.A. for auditions for movies and television shows. Sometimes we would drive down one day and return the next. We got pretty friendly with I-5 and the Buttonwillow/McKittrick exit... and cheap motels. I had two other friends, Shannon (Farnham) Hunt and Kerry (Sable) Villar, that sometimes participated in this craziness. They were my co-conspirators in my Kirk Cameron home invasion. Next week people. Next week you will get that gem of a story.

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Confessions of a Childhood Actress Part 1

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In case you are a newbie to the blog let me give you this brief overview before you read my first Hollywood post:

Don't feel bad if you don't remember me from Lassie, never heard of the show, or have no idea who I am. Most people don't. I was never some big, famous child star, but here's my story . . .

Started doing commercials and print work in the San Francisco when I was nine years old. After a few years of that I got an agent in L.A. and commuted down there for auditions. Landed the role of Megan on The New Lassie when I was 14 years old. Moved down to Hollywood and lived with friends of the family while we filmed 2 seasons (48 episodes) of the show. Featured in over 20 commercials and guest starred on The Wonder Years and Growing Pains. Was on Circus of the Stars - flipped around on the Russian Swing. Had a great experience. Have fond memories that I will be sharing with you. Made some great friends. Didn't party with my mom or do drugs. No criminal record . . . read on.

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One of my friends suggested that my whole "used be a childhood actress thing" might be interesting to people and that I should write about it on the blog. Okay. I'm easy.

It doesn't really fit with the whole "Tales from the Motherhood" thing, but I guess I am the mom so I get to decide what to do with this blog, right?

These are Tales of the Pre-Motherhood . . . back when I was Wendy Cox.

When I was a kid, I used to stand in front of the television watching Fame and would try and dance like them. Do you remember when they danced around the fountain? Loved that part. I had a subscription to Teenbeat magazine (admit it, you did too) and was obsessed with "The Ricker." I wrote him a fan letter confessing my love to him and got a letter and signed picture back from him. I am sure it was totally personal and legit (it was NOT a rubber stamp) and I am positive he wanted to marry me. Chachi (Scott Baio) was also one of my first true loves. Total husband material. But then came Kirk Cameron. Oh did I love him. I was sure I was going to marry him. After all, he was a Christian and he was only four years and four months older than me. I even showed up at his house once with a love letter and friendship bracelet, but that is a classic story I will save for a later post.

Anyway, I dreamed of being on a TV show and riding off into the sunset with Kirk. One day I decided enough was enough. I needed to put the wheels in motion. I told my Mom that I wanted to pursue acting for the umpteenth time. She was on her way out the door when she responded, "Go ahead. Make some calls to an agent or something if you want to be on TV."

I took her seriously and went directly to the yellow pages. I am not sure what searched under, but somehow I came across Dorie International Modeling Agency. With my skinny long legs and striking features, I figured I'd give her a call. No one answered so I left a message on their answering machine. They were impressed to receive a message from a nine-year-old. They called back the next day. My Mom was a bit surprised when she received the call. "Your daughter called and left us a message. Said she wants to be on television." Next thing you know we had an appointment at the agency and I was signing on the dotted line.

I began embarking on "go sees" (that is what they call auditions for print work) and auditions for commercials.

Within a few months I landed my first national commerical for the National Milk Advisory board. The "Milk it Does a Body Good" campaign. I was in four scenes: drinking milk from a straw, petting a cat, rocking out on a guitar and tap dancing in a milk carton. I actually found it on You Tube if you want to check it out. You might just remember it from your Saturday morning toon time.

That's all for this week folks, but here's a teaser for future posts -

I did end up working with both Kirk Cameron and Scott Baio. But I did not marry either one of them. I know, I know. Total shocker.

And had I accepted their numerous marriage proposals I would not have gotten this . . .

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