Quotes

I grew up feeling like the ugly duckling, and things have not changed that much. For some reason, Hollywood seems to have painted me as a gorgeous vixen at times or the sweet girl. I don't get it.

[on Telly Savalas] He was officially my stepfather, but I always thought of him as my daddy.

I think I've been very lucky. A lot of this business is being in the right place at the right time with the right thing.

I could say doing what I've wanted to do with my life could be looked at as being selfish. But I think it's a healthy selfish, because if you're really not ready to (have children), it's not the right thing to do.

I'm actually more comfortable playing the stroke victim or the girl with no makeup on, looking scruffy and it's all about what's going on inside rather than on the outside. But I'm making friends with it. At times, it's embarrassing being in some outfits that I might personally never be caught dead in, but they serve "Edie" on [Desperate Housewives (2004)]. It was nice actually wearing pants and a proper shirt as "Diane" in [Code Name: The Cleaner (2007)].

I think I've always been a fighter in a healthy way.

I think there are a lot of factors that the universe can conspire and make happen if it's meant to be. Also with perseverance, if you really follow your passion and your bliss you can make anything happen ... in any field. I think fear stops us. It's always been a motto of mine to embrace my fears and walk through them because it's always amazing what you come out to on the other side.

I just liked having intelligent conversations and hearing both sides of an argument. I've always been quite opinionated and I thought the field of law was for me. It's funny how life can change when you least expect it.

I have been accused of doing things to my face, but I haven't had anything done. I'm not saying that there won't be a time when I say. "Okay, maybe", but I'm very blessed to come from generations of very good skin. My mother looks a lot younger than she is, and so did her mother. I have a bit of sun damage but, otherwise, I come from a pool of good genes.

I did Knots Landing (1979) and many TV movies and features back-to-back, I got so caught up in work driving my life, that I decided I needed a break, to enjoy the simple things in life, and be with my horse and dogs, and travel. When I wanted to re-emerge, I found that I didn't have the bevy of things that I'd previously had at my fingertips. That said, I had to address my career differently. I explored other avenues, from writing to producing and then, four years ago, Desperate Housewives (2004) fell into my hands and that was that. When I read the script, I knew it was special because of the line it walked between comedy and drama, and the twisted nature of its story lines. But you can't help but be surprised when something takes off like that.

I praise the Lord above because God only knows what they would have Edie doing on cable--probably some of the things Kim Cattrall had to do on Sex and the City (1998).

It really is sort of my peace and my serenity when I'm out with the horses and my dog. You know, you have a responsibility when you have animals. They need to be exercised, just like we do, so I get out there as often as I can. I think it's very important to be able to take in your surroundings and breathe the fresh air and appreciate the beauty of nature.

I really try to take one day at a time and enjoy the moments.

I have actually played some nice characters.

When I was young, I was a control freak. I was a great organizer. That was my sense of control. I liked having an orderly house, having everything clean and aesthetically pleasing. I found some sort of comfort in that. I've definitely worked on letting that go. I try to leave myself open to see what life offers up.

It's quite a feat to pull off a bad girl and have people relate to her. The key is to somehow find a way to make her likable. I thoroughly enjoyed creating and playing Edie. I do miss her. She was a big part of my life for five years.

Some people find safety in the institution of marriage or some sort of a further commitment. Others think that if you're in a very happy relationship, why mess with it? Marriage has never been something I've needed to have in my life. I've always been extremely independent.

When people meet me for the first time they usually think I am a real snoot.

I want it all. Oh, sure, Leif and I are a sure thing. And short of that, I'm a sure thing.