With everything that you do, once the costume is on, and you're in the pretend hospital, and you're there with your co-workers, it all sort of snaps into place: Who you are, what it feels like, who these people are to you.

In my household there is an insane amount of laughter and celebration.

Being a single mother was the right thing for me. But I have a tremendous amount of help from my friends. They're in love with my kids, and my kids are in love with them.

I wanted to act; that was my one goal. I wanted to devote all my time to acting and not waitressing or anything else.

There is no question that sobriety has made me a better actor, made me a better person.

I'm an old-school, embarrassing Joni Mitchell fan. Her music made a hook in my soul and hasn't let go for all these years. I even sing her songs as lullabies to my kids.

One of the ways I think I gain fodder for characters is by watching people.