The Closer

Actress Kyra Sedgwick has been working in the entertainment industry for over twenty years, and her award-winning portrayal of Brenda Leigh Johnson in The Closer  has helped her popularity reach greater heights.  However, the 41-year-old actress claims that when she decided to pursue an acting career, getting famous was the least of her concerns.  All she really wanted to do was express herself to the fullest extent.

"When you're an artist and you don't get to do your art, it's very frustrating. And very painful,” Sedgwick told the Los Angeles Times.  “I feel really good that I can exercise this need and want to act that I have.”

Sedgwick gained her first professional acting experience from the daytime drama, Another World. She was given the role of Julia Shearer, and after appearing in several episodes, went on to guest star in other television productions.  In 1988, she was cast in the made-for-tv film, Lemon Sky, where she starred opposite Kevin Bacon.  A few months later, she married Bacon.

Eventually, Kyra Sedgwick became a mother, and she decided to set her acting career aside in favor of raising their two children.  However, she feels no regret for making her family her topmost priority.

"It's so easy to get bitter," she said. "It's so unattractive."

Because she has spent most of her time playing small roles, it is only recently that Sedgwick has been exposed to things associated with being a big television personality.  She admitted that she was amazed when two paparazzi in trucks almost collided, all because they wanted to get a shot of her walking in the sidewalk.

"I thought to myself, 'This is so absurd,"' she explained.  "I mean, I'm coming out of the Verizon store. What could be more boring?"

However, she is not about to give up her hard-earned success for a couple of over-eager media men.  Recently, she signed a new deal that will have her working on The Closer for another four seasons.

When asked by TVGuide if the idea of starring in seven seasons seems daunting, she replied,  “I cannot think that far in advance.  I’ve got to take it a year at a time. The thing about our show is that it’s only 15 episodes.  I think when you’re doing 22 and you’re talking seven years of that, it probably is more overwhelming and daunting… I only can be responsible for the work that I do. And of that I am proud."


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Los Angeles Times, TVGuide
(Image Courtesy of TNT)