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

I suddenly realized that comedy, for me, was just being honest, and playing it for real. I’ve seen so many wonderful actors who turn into creatures from another planet when they’re told they are supposed to be playing comedy.

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.

But that’s one of the nice things about doing a stage show, if something doesn’t work out, you have the luxury of working on it over time.

I was raised in the theater and, as it turned out, a TV show was like performing a new one-act play. So, it was really no different.

I’d never even been to Wrigley Field. I never even enjoyed baseball that much, but I loved being there, the crowd was lovely, and they all sang with me!

You know, I spend most of my life turning things down. There’s a lot of crap out there.

In sitcoms, the women are so beautiful, understanding and well-bred. They have humor, but sort of display it with a twinkle of the eye and not a guffaw. But there’s no juice in that for me.

I can’t imagine working without and audience.

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.

Making lasting gifts for animals in our estate plans is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to ensure animals have the strongest possible voice for their protection.

I… was not too happy to suddenly take on this public role thrust upon me. They just assumed I was the Joan of Arc of the women’s movement. And I wasn’t at all. It put a lot of unnecessary pressure on me.

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

I believe that you’re here on Earth for a short time, and while you’re here, you shouldn’t forget it.

I really cut my teeth on off-off-off Broadway shows.

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.

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