Gail O’Grady became one of television’s most recognizable faces as Donna Abandando on the groundbreaking ABC drama NYPD Blue. In this encore episode of Still Here Hollywood, Gail joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about the role that changed her career, why she decided to leave the hit series, and why she now wishes she had stayed longer.

Gail also remembers legendary producer Steven Bochco, reveals the unusual way she created Donna for her NYPD Blue audition, talks about working with Sharon Lawrence, and shares stories from Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: SVU, Boston Legal and more.

She opens up about becoming a mother in her 40s, moving back to Chicago to care for her father, the confidence she wishes she had when she was younger, and the advice she has passed along to her son.

Plus, Gail recalls getting actually slapped while filming Desperate Housewives, being starstruck by Henry Winkler during her first days in Hollywood, meeting one of her acting heroes, Anne Bancroft, and working on J.J. Abrams’ Duster.

00:00 Gail O’Grady on Still Here Hollywood
01:03 Success and Emmy Recognition on NYPD Blue
02:06 Why Gail O’Grady Left NYPD Blue
02:49 The Decision She Now Regrets
03:05 Remembering Steven Bochco
04:10 How Gail Landed NYPD Blue
06:18 Sharon Lawrence and the NYPD Blue Cast
07:03 Leaving Los Angeles
08:34 Advice for Young Actors
11:30 Becoming a Mother in Her 40s
12:56 Behind the Scenes of Desperate Housewives
14:39 Working on Law & Order: SVU
15:32 The Career Gail Might Have Chosen
16:14 Moving Home to Care for Her Father
17:20 Career Highs and Lows
18:56 How NYPD Blue Changed Everything
19:56 Meeting Anne Bancroft
21:13 Gail's Favorite Childhood Memories
22:17 Bad Habits and Belinda Carlisle
23:10 Advice for Her Son
24:18 Getting Robbed in Rome
25:22 Fame and Fan Encounters
27:31 Her Hilarious Henry Winkler Encounter
29:09 Near-Death Experiences
30:15 Her Favorite NYPD Blue Storyline
31:20 The Confidence She Wishes She Had
33:42 Her Father Became Her Scene Partner
34:48 Gail Talks About Duster

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

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Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

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