:: News / Messages from Annabeth / Archive (July - September 2003) ::

September 5, 2003 Annabeth has sent along her answers for the questions submitted for the month of September. Enjoy! ---------- Name: Julie Question: What’s your favorite place in the whole world and why? Annabeth's Answer: Oh no, forgive me but I have to say it is [being] next to my husband-to-be. Anywhere I go with him, whether it is traveling to another country or going to the grocery store, it is exactly where I want to be and it is the best place in that moment. Yes, I know that is just about the cheeziest answer ever (I’m even rolling my eyes as I write this), and I hate to sound like a romantic fool, but it’s the truest thing for me right now. He is my favorite place. Now for a less woman-in-love type of answer and a more geographical one .... High up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico the air is the freshest and the sky is the bluest I’ve ever seen. The aspen and pine trees wave a cool breeze across your face and everything feels clean and everything in your mind becomes clear. For urban flavor I love London and for sensual culture I love Italy. ---------- Name: Grilka Question: If you could select your next "leading man" in a movie, who would you choose and why? Annabeth's Answer: How about Hugh Jackman or Luke Wilson. Or Ed Harris. Or Anthony Hopkins (he’s such an amazing actor). Or Denzel Washington. Or Benecio Del Toro. I like men who have flavor and skill and soul! Bring em on!!! I’m ready to play in that professional arena.

August 21, 2003 Annabeth has given me an update as to the charities she officially supports. They are the following:   Children's Hospital of New Mexico Futures for Children Planned Parenthood Yoga Inside Foundation   She also has advised that she would like the 2003-2004 Buy For Bethie (BFB) proceeds donated to Futures For Children.

August 8, 2003 Annabeth has sent along her answers for the questions submitted for the month of August. Enjoy! ---------- Name: Vickie Question: You mentioned in a recent article that you love to act in westerns and historical dramas. If you could pick a particular time period in which to "actually live" or to just visit for a while, when/where would it be and why? Or to have been apart of a specific event that took place in history, what would it be and why? Annabeth's Answer: Good question! Man, so many eras and events come to mind ... does it have to be just one particular historical period? Because I feel drawn to a lot of different times ... I’ve always had a romantic fascination with medieval times and the women in them. The story and times of Guinevere has always had a real pull for me. I’ve always wondered what it was like when women were sorceresses, very powerful and beautiful. To go way back, the time in history covered in the book The Red Tent also fascinates me - all the way back to biblical times. What did that time really feel like while you were living it? That is the wonderful thing about being an actress because every so often an opportunity comes with a role that takes you right back into a recreated reality and you are transported back in time ... I could spend hours on this question! ---------- Name: AGFan Question: How has your family, and the way in which you were raised, influenced you emotionally, spiritually and professionally? Annabeth's Answer: Let’s see - this is a deep question. I’m not sure I can quantify and translate all of the effects of my family upon my personality. There are influences that I am probably not even conscious of, they are just woven so tightly into my being. But I was raised with good values - education, love, discipline, honesty, authenticity, hard work, compassion! I was the youngest of three children, so I learned a lot by observing my brother and sister as they grew up, and then when I started in the business at 13 my parents had a big job of carrying all the same values into an industry they knew nothing about. But because I maintained a life in Iowa, a state synonymous with "good values," and because my parents doggedly insisted I remain grounded, I think I always kept a good perspective about what was important. Both of my parents, and my brother and sister are very creative, passionate people and emotionally we all carry those genes. Spiritually I was on my own path from the beginning, my searching and longing independent from what anyone else in my family was doing, so I’ve taken my own cues there. Everyone would wholeheartedly agree with that!!! Professionally all the values I mentioned above were automatically applied to the way I try and handle my business on a daily basis.

July 18, 2003 Annabeth phoned to let me know she has won the role of playing President Jed Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) eldest daughter, Elizabeth Bartlet Westin, on NBC's hit television drama, The West Wing. She is tremendously excited to have earned the part, which will be a recurring role. And, she is looking forward to being back on television. It's a great fit for her, and she will be a great addition to an already stellar cast. :) (*Note: While Annabeth phoned July 18th to let me know the news, I could not post it here until it was officially released by her management on July 21st.)

July 3, 2003 Annabeth has sent along her answers for the questions submitted for the month of July. Enjoy! :) ---------- Name: AN75 Question: You’ve been acting since childhood. Have your motivations for being an actor changed over time and, if so, how? Annabeth's Answer: My motivation to be an actor has become more defined and distinct as I’ve gotten older. I’ve always wanted to act as a means of self-expression, creativity and connection with others, and as a young woman that was a very pure drive in me. Pure and innocent. Now the drive has deepened with experience. It is stronger and more individual to who I am as a woman, with a more focused awareness of how art and acting and film is each a business and a disciplined craft. It takes tremendous practice to find and manage a balance in both. ---------- Name: Martina Question: Being a big, big classic movies fan myself, would you like to remake a classic movie? If yes, which one? Annabeth's Answer: I have always been a fan of the Otto Preminger movie Laura starring Gene Tierney. It’s a great thriller but also a character piece with a strong female character. Spooky! I think it would be a great film to remake. I also love It Happened One Night with Claudette Colbert. Good comedy. And Jessica Lange in Frances has remained an incredibly intense example for me of fine dramatic acting. However, that movie and her performance in it is untouchable.

Return to Messages from Annabeth Archive