Friday, February 25, 2011

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Kim Zimmer Reveals Her "Love, Loss"

Emmy-winning actress Kim Zimmer is making a splash in the theater world with her poignant role in the new staging of Nora and Delia Ephron's play "Love, Loss, And What I Wore."  Enjoy our exclusive new interview with the outspoken and fascinating talent as she discusses this new project, as well as life on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and her upcoming book.  Plus, exactly whom was she channeling in her role as a pushy executive producer in STEAMBOAT? Zimmer answers below!

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You just started appearing in "Love, Loss, And What I Wore." How did it go?
Kim Zimmer: Personally it did not go well for me [laughs].  Every time my husband AC Weary is in the audience I get a little nervous.  I so love his criticism.  I could feel him and I could hear him laughing at Orfeh through the whole thing, but I couldn’t hear him laughing at me! So I was nervous.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: What did your character love and lose and wear?
Kim Zimmer: She loves her bag.  She hates purses. She lost a husband along the way.  And she wore a very sexy pair of brown pants that had a hole cut in a very special spot when she went to visit her husband in prison.  You have to come see the show to find out where that spot is. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:  This has been such a triumphant year for you.  The last time we spoke in July 2010, you told me that daytime didn’t want women who were old enough to play grandmothers, that no show would put a grandmother on contract.  And here we are with you ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
Kim Zimmer: But I’m not on contract.  And that’s the way I want it.  I’m going to tell you a funny story.  I passed Terri Conn (ex-Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS) at ONE LIFE TO LIVE and we were both in robes.  We both clearly had body make-up on.  I looked at her and said, “Bed?” And she said, “Yeah, you?” I said, “Yes, they brought the CBS sluts to ABC to spice things up.”  We are the only two that are having any sex on that show.  You haven’t seen it yet, but it’s coming.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:  And you have brought such a breath of fresh air to ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
Kim Zimmer: I am having a ball.  I had scenes today that I taped with Erika Slezak that are priceless. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: And I love the scenes with you and Robin Strasser.  You two must be laughing, you look like you’re having so much fun.
Kim Zimmer: There’s no time to laugh.  We laugh the next week, “Remember when we played that scene (Laugh)...”  There’s no time to laugh.  Frank Valentini runs that show so beautifully.  You finish your set and you’re out of there because they are on to the next.  I have to give him props.  He is an amazing exec.  He learned from the best, Paul Rauch. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:  Speaking of great shows, you are nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in the 2nd Annual Indie Soap Awards for your work in STEAMBOAT.
Kim Zimmer: I love that.  That made me giggle. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: It’s a celebration of excellence in continuing stories on the Internet and you have been part of that.
Kim Zimmer: I have been a little part of that.  I keep hoping Michael [O’ Leary] is going to call me and say we are doing more.  He’s been doing more but they haven’t called me yet! I saw him on the streets of Montclair the other day and said, “Michael, where’s my character?” He said, “Did you get nominated for an Indie Soap Award? Well, I didn’t.”

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: We know that you have worked with many executive producers over the last 30 years on daytime.  Thinking about your role as the executive producer on STEAMBOAT, who was that character based on?
Kim Zimmer: I’d like to say it was a combination of all of them.  But, the bad parts of her were one person in particular, and the good parts of her were one person in particular.  How politically correct is that? But they were both women, so you figure that out. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:  I think we can do some deductive reasoning there.  My last question is about your book.  What’s going on with that?
Kim Zimmer: The release date is supposedly August 2nd.  It’s called, “I’m Just Sayin’:  Seven Husbands, Three Deaths, and A Clone—My Life As A Daytime Diva."  The book is done, I’m just waiting to get permissions to use pictures from the photographers, some of whom are dead.  So I’m waiting to hear from estates.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Watch the video of this interview, as well as Barbara Rhoades (ex-GENERATIONS) and Orfeh on WLS TV #2.34.  Also catch the WLS interviews with the show's stars Sabrina La Beauf (THE COSBY SHOW) and Kristina Bowden (30 ROCK) on WLS TV #2.35. Be sure to catch the dynamic Zimmer on stage in Manhattan.  But hurry, she is only appearing until March 20th.  Purchase your tickets here.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Therapist now accepting new clients in New York City.  He is also the author of the popular book "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve," currently available at Amazon.com. For more information about scheduling an appointment, please email him at [email protected].

1 comment:

  1. I LOVE Kim Zimmer and will be the first in line to buy her book!!!! Awesome!!

    ReplyDelete