I think because of my background - I went through university and did an academic career and fell into acting - I've never had a game plan for my career because I got into it quite ad hoc.

Because you've done the horrible jobs, it gives you an even grittier determination to succeed.

I got into acting for the different scenarios and roles and meeting different people.

People identify with being heartbroken. We've all been heartbroken, haven't we? I've been dumped, and it feels horrible.

I was 20 when I was sentenced to death. My life had been on a one-way path to self-destruction for years. I don’t remember too much about my early life, but I think I had a happy childhood, growing up in Philadelphia in a loving family with five siblings."

Lidia Bastianich, sorry, but kind of boring. I mean, I love Lidia, but you can fall asleep watching her. And Mario Batali? I love Mario to death... but he's not romantic or sensual. Those are the things I bring to the table.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

And when you really think about the 9-11 event, the horrific attack on our land here in America and the death of three thousand of out loved ones, it was a defining moment.