There are not that many jobs as an actor where you don't get to know what your character will be doing from episode to episode.

You can be a woman in charge of a production and still be generous and kind and insightful and decisive without being considered a butch in any way.

The one thing about being on 'ER' that has changed is that I'm more easily recognizable.

I think the hardest thing about the part is the responsibility that you feel playing something that is so real and resonant in our times. There are people coming home right now with those stories, and I'm just an actress pretending to be that person. You hope that you can shed some light on somebody's predicament.

Before I could talk, I would try to sing.

One thing I like about trying to write is that I can possibly write myself a role. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of whatever roles are out there that people are willing to give to you.

I had a really scary pregnancy and a very difficult delivery. My daughter and I are lucky to be alive.