I come from a small town in Maryland. I came to California in 1972 to begin Maude.

Keep fighting for animals by making compassionate, cruelty-free choices every day and encouraging those around you to do the same.

PETA has a proven track record of success. Each victory PETA wins for the animals is a stepping stone upon which we build a more compassionate world for all beings - and we will never give up our fight until all animals are treated with respect and kindness.

At least I'm not playing other people for a change. It's a very odd place to be... I feel I'm an actress who sings a bit.

I'm not playing a role. I'm being myself, whatever the hell that is.

Many years ago, I was in a Broadway show and I had to wear a fox fur around my shoulders. One day my hand touched one of the fox's legs. It seemed to be in two pieces. Then it dawned on me.... her leg had probally been snapped in two by the steel trap that had caught it.

I wish there was something more that performers could do other than get out there and sing at benefit performances. I wish I felt that if I had an empty room I'd like to bring in someone and make it a hospice, but I'm not Mother Teresa. I can't do that.