spotlight
never saw me on film. He sees me from a higher place I believe. since Cagney and Lacey. I had a very big lesbian audience for Cagney and Lacey for
Rage: What is one of your vivid memories of those first days on the lot? which I was very grateful. Cagney did. The men loved Lacey and the women loved
SG: I was so happy. I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. I had no experi- Cagney. That show really took me up to another notch. Then Barney [husband/
ence. They took me from behind a secretary’s desk and put me in front of a camera. writer/producer] wrote The Trials of Rosie O’Neill for me, which was another really
It was like a dream. I was born and raised in Hollywood, so movies are like my life. I strong role. I played a public defender. It only lasted two years. Then there was a
spent all my allowance money every weekend to go to the movies. I dreamed that drought for me. I went into menopause and put on weight and nobody wanted
one day I’d do that…but I never told anybody. I didn’t even admit I wanted to be to know Cagney as me heavy. Then Queer as Folk came along and I went after that
an actress until I was 26. So, I had to go to the Westmore make-up building to meet one. I then got this wonderful gay audience. Now, both the gays and the lesbians
the make-up person and I had to go to the big wardrobe department where Edith have been with me ever since. I really feel that the gay and lesbian audience kept
Head [famous designer for the stars] was head of it. It was wild! I walked around me working! They keep me going on these years.
and I thought, “My God. I belong here.” I remember so well…I’m walking along try- Rage: I want to thank you for continuing all these years to be in the fight for gays and lesbians.
ing to find the make-up building and I hear someone say, “Don’t EVER think that SG: I am. Absolutely, I’m sure many people are. I learned so much…especially
YOU are not a pretty girl!” I turned around to see whomever it was that was talking on Queer as Folk and personally, I saw first hand the trials and the heartache. I also
and it was Walter Matthau! I turned around and wondered who he was talking to see that you guys have a lot more fun than we do (laughter). One woman asked
and he said, “You!” (laughter). That’s the first actor who ever spoke to me. me at a screening of Hannah Free, “Are you sure you’re not gay?” I said, “I’m pretty
Rage: There is a real internal strength in many of your characters over the years. What are sure but I kind of wish I were cause you have a lot more fun than I do.” I learned so
some of your thoughts on the various characters that you have played? much on Queer as Folk and that’s what got me involved when people would ask
SG: I’ve been very, very fortunate. I feel like the roles picked me, you know? for my help. I was more than happy to do it. With as much fun as you all have, you
Queer as Folk was the only one I really went after. I called up Showtime. I said, “I still are fighting an uphill battle in this country. I love Obama but I don’t know
want that part.” I’ve just been blessed enough or fortunate enough to be handed if he’s your friend. Hillary was. I campaigned for her and she was definitely your
these amazing women. All very different…certainly, but each one of them has friend. I’m sure Obama is too…but he doesn’t have the courage.
their own history, their own strength. I don’t know why I’ve been lucky enough Rage: It was wonderful talking with you Sharon.
to have gotten these parts. I noticed that I’ve had a very loyal following, ever SG: Thank you. I love the name of your magazine. I do! It’s great.
34 RAGE monthly | OctOber 2009
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