Meet Ann Walker

Michael Vaccaro's Interview with LaVonda from Sordid Lives

by Michael Vaccaro
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I sat down with Ann Walker, the star of TV's "Sordid Lives," recently, over a couple of martinis - she likes hers straight up and a little dirty - and we talked all about TV, Hollywood, politics, and "Child of the '70s!"

Michael: I know you're from Texas. When do you get to LA? What was it like when you arrived? How different is it today? What are the big differences in the film/tv industry?

Ann: I arrived in L.A. in June of 1974. My best friend lived out here and he was an actor. I got into his acting workshop. I did everything and anything to be around actors. However, three months after I arrived, I became pregnant... with twins of all things. So I had something of a detour for a while. Back then, you know, there was no internet, so we had to physically go to casting offices to pickup sides for readings. My best friend was a Thomas Guide.

Michael: I remember the Thomas Guide very well. Trying to read the damned thing while driving was impossible, and it would be even worse for me today, having to deal with reading glasses!

Ann: Yes! No GPS or cell phones. We had pagers and a coin purse full of change and we knew of all the pay phones in Hollywood

Michael: We all LOVED "Sordid Lives." What was it like playing "LaVonda Dupree?"

Ann: I feel very lucky that Del Shores wrote that part for me. There’s a lot of Ann in LaVonda. It’s sort of like Ann if she never left Houston, Texas. Of course, being from Texas and having a family with every one of those characters in it, did come in handy. Looking back, my family was pretty funny but while I was there, it didn’t seem too funny. That’s why it is so important to play these characters straight, they’ll be funny to the audience, but if we try to be funny then they will become stereotypes.

Michael: There was a great scene with you on the phone, going back and forth between all these different characters. It was one of the most brilliantbits of comedy I'd ever seen! Now you star in "Child of the '70s" as the narcissistic, egomaniacal TV star, "KiKi Lawrence." Can you give us some thoughts about the show and the role? Maybe some thoughts about your two love interests, comedian Bruce Vilanch and the Original Cowboy from The Village People, Randy Jones! :)

Ann: Playing Kiki has been a wonderful, exciting treat for me! Any actress would be thrilled to have this role. We've been doing it now for four seasons (soon to be five). Bruce was a joy and so much fun to work with, and I finally got a kiss in the fourth season from Randy Jones who plays my one and only lost love and the father of my child, that crazy Bonita!!

Michael: Speaking of Bruce and Randy, have you always been loved and adored by gay men, and vice versa? :)

Ann: I’ve always been in love with gay men! They make the best friends, (most) cook the best meals, give the best fashion and beauty tips!! They seem to adore me so it’s been a win-win situation for me!! Plus, they ARE FUN!!

Michael: How'd you get so political? Have you always been so engaged politically? Is that a new thing, or were you this way growing up in Texas?

Ann: I was not so engaged when I was a kid in Texas, my parents weren’t big voters, but I did always know we were Democrats. Texas was a Democratic state when I left it in 1974. Ann Richards was governor.

Michael: God Bless Ann Richards! Such an amazing woman!

Ann: Once I moved to California, I gradually woke up to the fact that one person can make a difference, so I have progressively gotten more engaged - some would say obsessive - about politics. Having my radio show for 6 years on UBN really focused me on topics that matter to me. Gay rights, civil rights, racism, transgender rights... well, all rights for ALL people. Women's issues!! I’m for live and let live, however you see fit, if you’re not endangering yourself or others.

Michael: So, yeah... Trump, huh?!

Ann: This has been, I think, the worse situation that the United States has ever had to endure. How this con man has been able to get people to believe him and support him, I will never understand. He is a lying, corrupt traitor, abuser, sex-offender and general all-round BAD person. If we don’t get him impeached and soon, we will not have an America any longer. I could go on but we don’t have the space.

Michael: Well, we're going to need another round of martinis! As you know, I, too, lost my husband, back in 2009. Can we talk about that, about losing your husband, and what you were able to do to survive that?

Ann: Losing a loved one is the most devastating thing that can happen to a person. Thankfully, I had my family and this crazy career. I didn’t think I was going to be able to survive, but as people say, you put one foot in front of the other and stay strong for others and then it gets easier. The pain never goes away but you begin to live with it day by day. I thought about checking into someplace and not coming out, but too many people were counting on me to stay strong, so I just did. I still miss him so much and especially I miss having someone special to trust with your heart and soul and share all the everyday good and bad stuff together,

Michael: I completely get it. It never goes away, it just gets easier. But then sometimes, out of nowhere, it'll hit me like a ton of bricks, and I'm right back to where I was 8 years ago. And you're right, working helps. What made you want to become an actor? Do you have a film that you saw that made you realize that that's what you wanted to do?

Ann: Growing up in Houston, in the 50’s there was the Saturday all day movies. Double feature, cartoons and a serial, every Saturday I was there with my sister and brother. From 10-5. Then on Sundays there would be church then out to lunch with the whole family and to a downtown movie palace for a first run movie. There were no restrictions on age to see movies so I got to see all the beautiful women of the 50’s and I knew I wanted to do what they were doing, being up on the screen. Plus, I knew I had to find something more exciting than my family’s ambition for me which was either a secretary or a beautician. I did succumb to becoming a beautician just in case the acting didn’t work out.

Michael: What's next on the horizon? What does 2018 have in store for Ann Walker?

Ann: Enjoying my life which means fun with my grandchildren, my friends and if I’m lucky a few more career high points or at the very least some acting jobs. The fifth season of "Child of the '70s," of course! Actors are lucky, we never really have to retire.