Beauty and the Beast

A Belle By Any Other Name

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Susan Egan - Belle in Los Angeles

Long Beach, California, on February 18.

"Mists of Avalon" is my favorite book. It tells the legend of King Arthur from the women's point of view. It's a well-researched and wonderfully written novel that explores all aspects of the period, including Paganism vs. Christianity, the roles of women, and the mystical experience. The book presents the issues and trials in various shades of gray -- nothing is black and white; this made the age-old legend much more interesting for me.

Spin-the-Bottle, sixth grade, Kent Wells. I still have a crush.

I'd like my next role to be something classical. St. Joan? Portia? Or perhaps a nasty villainess?

I admire different people every day. They tend to be people who show courage, like the children I meet through "Make a Wish," who are facing terminal diseases with strength. Or people who truly follow their hearts; people who understand that they are limitless. They reach for their goals with grace and clarity, never second-guessing the possibilities. And then the people who, having achieved their dreams, remain grounded, honest people. These are individuals who understand that any group of souls are equally valuable, whether one is more famous, more successful, or more wealthy than another. Often, in their success, individuals forget the grand scheme of life. But the best of them do not. Paul Newman and Carol Burnett are two examples that I happen to admire greatly. They are known for being gracious individuals who share their good fortune by giving back to the community.