Humane Zoos and Aquariums:
Lifesaving Institutions for Animals
This week, Robin talks with Emmy-nominated actress, New York Times Best-Selling author, and animal advocate Carolyn Hennessy, who is known for her roles on hit television shows such as General Hospital and True Blood.
Robin and Carolyn discuss their love of animals and shared appreciation for the humane zoos and aquariums who are leading wildlife conservation efforts around the world.
BIO:
A Los Angeles native and self-proclaimed studio-brat, Carolyn has been in over 100 theatrical productions spanning the LA., regional and international theatre scenes. If you ask her nicely she’ll recite the list of her plays for you and then she’ll recite it again…backwards. Having trained at American Conservatory Theatre and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London as well as earning a dramatic scholarship to the California State University at Northridge, she has played such distinguished houses as the Mark Taper Forum, Arizona Theatre Company and the Geary Stage. She also studied with the Groundlings in the early ‘90s and became a member of the Sunday Company. From there she moved to the main company at the ACME Comedy Theatre and was a founding member of the all-female improv troupe, “Ovaryaction”. She is the 2001 recipient of the prestigious Natalie Schafer Award for Outstanding Comedic Actress given by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and has been featured as an “Actor’s Actor” in the industry publication Backstage-West. Among other accolades, the LA Stage Alliance has honored her with an Ovation Award, which she hosted in 2011, and in 2010 she added the words “Emmy nominated” (General Hospital) to her list of achievements.
Most recently, Carolyn dazzled as the deliciously vicious “Rosalyn Harris” on Alan Ball’s critically acclaimed HBO series TRUE BLOOD. Hennesy joined the cast for the fifth season of the sleek vampires-meet-world saga and fast became a fan favorite. As Rosalyn, the ageless vamp with a Texas twang, Hennesy was at the top of her game, tossing one-liners like firecrackers, occasionally enjoying a juicy stake, and gleefully partaking in old-timey interrogation.
Prior to TRUE BLOOD, Hennesy is best known for her memorable work as “Barb Coman” on ABC’s COUGAR TOWN and for an Emmy nominated run as “Diane Miller” on ABC’s GENERAL HOSPITAL. Kids across America also know her as the hilariously haughty Mrs. Chesterfield on Disney Channel’s JESSIE. On the big screen, Hennesy’s credits include CLICK starring Adam Sandler, LEGALLY BLONDE 2 with Reese Witherspoon, and TERMINATOR 3 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Hennesy’s creative endeavors also include a successful career as a writer. She created the wildly popular “Pandora” (Bloomsbury USA) children’s book series as well as penned the New York Times Bestseller “The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli” (Hyperion). To see more, click on “Books.”
When not on set, Hennesy is privileged to lend her time and talent to a number of causes including caring for our wounded warriors and helping those with debilitating physical issues regain their self-esteem, but chief among all causes is the issue of animal rescue.
Now, all of that is well and good, but the big news is that Carolyn has become a flying trapeze artist. No lie. Just look at her hands. If you really want to get her talking, just ask her, “Hey Carolyn, how’s that layout coming along?!”