Lynne Rogers

Actor, Author, Spokeswoman
New York, New York USA

Where do I look for inspiration?
I don’t have to look for inspiration — it’s here, everywhere, every day, there’s always something marvelous, something totally unexpected, that starts you thinking… colors your day…..

My favorite book?
I Never Saw An Arab Like Him – a collection of short stories written by my husband, James Maxwell, who gave the book to me shortly after we’d met. As it turned out, I’d already read and admired them — in The New Yorker.

What play or production changed your life?
You’ll think this is crazy, but it was an elementary school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I was in fifth grade. At this time New York had the finest school system in the nation, and our teachers expected a great deal from us. Each week, a class had to perform some kind of activity on the auditorium stage, in front of the whole school. I was a chubby Titania; my mother made my costume — as did all the other mothers, I suppose. We’d rehearse after school; no one seemed to have any trouble learning the lines. Nobody forgot. And when we finished, everybody applauded! What a wonderful time! Everything about acting was such fun!

And then, of course, there was Let’s Pretend — on the radio each Saturday morning, where children played all the parts, just as we had in school. I just had to see that show! Some time later I was working with those wonderful actors… several of whom are still performing today.

My best escape?
I love to walk. From my house to Central Park and Lincoln Center there’s another world.

I feel most like myself?
When I’m working. I love rehearsal – we get to those moments/find those places where we know we have to be …..

What no one knows about me? I wish I knew.

Lynne Rogers’ many TV appearances included many years as a leading lady on Guiding Light; she worked with Yul Brynner, Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Abe Burrows, Alan Ludden and Betty White. Author of four books, including co-author (with Mari Lyn Henry) of How to be a Working Actor. Served on the boards for AFTRA, NATAS, and LPTW.