Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1486263
Recently, Charles and I caught up in Santa Monica for a fabulous lunch at Blue Plate Oysterette, a great ocean-to-table experience. Over refreshing drinks — and wonderful food — we took a little trip through the past and the present, and discussed our hopes for the future. Charles has never stopped working. He's a familiar face, not only on daytime — generations have grown up watching him on Days of Our Lives as heroic Shane Donovan — but also in primetime, film and theater. No surprise that he even played Prince Charles! Of course, Charles has always been my prince, and I was thrilled he also joined me for stints on Living With Fran and Happily Divorced. Charles does it all, like all working actors. These days, he's sending chills up and down everyone's spine as villain Victor Cassadine on General Hospital, and while I can never see him as anything but a hero, he certainly loves his job! "Those calculating eyes and grimace," he laughed, "It's fun to be bad!" Loving what you do is so important. We talked about how hard it can be to carve out your niche, but also how fulfilling it is when things work out — and, you know, I believe that whatever happens is supposed to happen. I didn't ever think I'd be contributing to my own union as its president, but that's the opportunity that came, and I took that leap! "You just have to take that chance," Charles agreed. "Actors are no different than anyone else — the same fears and the same hopes. We all just have to muster up and jump!" One thing we're both really grateful for is all of the people who have touched our lives in our careers, and hopefully we've been good for them, too. Like our TV family on e Nanny. We just can't believe those kids are all adults now, because Charles and I haven't aged a day! I wish! Nicholle, Ben and Maddy are old enough to have their own families now. We loved fawning over them on set, but now we can have those really interesting, introspective talks. "I wish we could see more of them," Charles interjected. "The years just fly by too quickly, don't they?" Yes, they do! The last few years have shown that we never know what's around the corner, so we all must live our lives to the fullest, however that looks for each of us. "All roads lead to Rome," they say, and as long as you keep going, you're sure to end up somewhere! This day, that road led to a cherished friend and great food. And these are the little things that make up a full life. Here's to more little beautiful things for us all! • t has been over 20 years since e Nanny came to an end after six seasons on CBS, but I've remained close to my co-star, friend and TV husband, Charles Shaughnessy.