CAROLYN HENNESY: Never GIVE UP

The General Hospital star shares her thoughts about life

- Amanda Champagne-Meadows

At 12, Carolyn Hennesy auditioned for the role of Becky Thatcher in a film adaptation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. “It was just awful,” recalls Carolyn. Although she lost out to a young Jodie Foster, the experience lit a fire under Carolyn to train hard as an actress to do better next time. “I am the poster child for persistence,” she tells Closer. Today, Carolyn, 60, is best known for her role as hard-hitting attorney Diane Miller on General Hospital. She is also in demand as a character actress with scene-stealing appearances on hits including NCIS, Cougar Town, Revenge and more. “I have done so many guest-star parts and other shenanigans,” she says. “I am having so much fun.”

When did you realize that you wanted to become an actor? 

My mom took me and my little brother over to 20th Century Fox to visit my dad when he was working on Fantastic Voyage. There were these fabulous oversize sets representing the heart, lungs and brain. I said, “What is going on here? This is for me!” And there were free doughnuts, too! It was obviously something in my blood because I felt so comfortable there. Now, whenever I walk onto one of those old soundstages, there’s a very evocative smell that’s home to me. It takes me right back to being 4 years old.

Your dad won an Oscar for visual effects on Fantastic Voyage. Was he supportive of your desire to become an actor?