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Television is the reason I'm in Los Angeles. That, and the weather. When I arrived in 1980, no one in the industry really cared that my Theater career in New York was exemplary. I had to start from the beginning. So I did.

I had lines in a few shows, including the pilot for "Moon Lighting," where I played Cybil Shephard's housekeeper. But in the pilot, she ends up bankrupt and has to let her help go, so I was out of work for real.

Then I got lucky. I landed on a wonderful show called "Alf," as Mrs. Ochmonek, the crazy next-door neighbor. The public thought it was a show for kids, because the title character was a puppet. But actually, it was very adult comedy, very politically incorrect for it's time. The writers were marvelous and made the show very sly, witty and tongue in cheek, and it gathered quite an underground following.

The kids loved the Alf character but most of the inside subtleties went right over their heads. We ran for four years, and when it closed in 1989, I landed on another sitcom…

"Seinfeld" started almost immediately after "Alf" ended, and I actually had my audition while we were still shooting our last few episodes of "Alf." I auditioned for the show in a small office with Jerry, Larry David (Jerry's co-creator and writing partner) and the Director. Jerry laughed throughout the reading and by the time I got home, there was a message on the machine that the part was mine.

The Seinfeld set was calm yet always full of laughter. Jerry established a terrific working atmosphere. Our weekly script readings were hysterical and all four of the stars were very close and always helped direct each other. They stayed very much to themselves when they were working, but everyone was available and friendly, especially the first year. Jason Alexander (George) was always approachable. And as you might expect, Michael Richards (Kramer) is an odd fellow, who was usually somewhere on the set working on his entrances and pratfalls - all the really tricky, athletic stuff he did.

I guess the one question about the show that I get asked the most is: "What's Jerry like?" Well, he is a pleasure to work with and a pleasure to know. I'm terribly fond of him and during the 9 years we were together, I really felt many times that he was the son I never had. Jerry's demeanor was one of the reasons the set was calm, work oriented and very funny. There is definitely an air about him of privacy and because of that, I believe he is far more interesting than any of us will ever know.

Jerry was usually very busy, and when you saw him on the set not working, he was either meditating or thinking quietly in a corner. He liked to laugh and was a guy's guy. He was quite shy with me, but this will give you an insight into his persona - when I arrived at the studio for the very first day of work, I walked in my dressing room to find a beautiful vase full of red roses from Jerry with a card to welcome me. I thought that was truly thoughtful.

I've also had the pleasure of appearing on dozens of other shows over the years. If you're a diehard TV fan, keep an eye out for me in reruns of some of your favorite shows including Melrose Place, Family Ties, Murder She Wrote, Empty Nest, St. Elsewhere, Hill Street Blues, It's a Living, Another World, Santa Barbara, Sacrecrow & Mrs. King, Newhart and two mini-series, Favorite Son and World War III.

I have been extremely fortunate in working for almost twenty years in this town called Hollywood. It was not in my plans to stay here this long. I am an east-coaster, a New Yorker through and through. But that city is so crowded now and the weather so intense, I have found living in Southern California easier on my body. I like to swim and I like to keep the windows open almost all year round. Plus, I like to drive ;-)