From E!Online:

Laura Leighton

It's a classic story: Corn-fed, fresh-faced Iowa gal so wholesome she toured with the Young Americans takes some acting classes, lands a guest spot on a steamy nighttime drama and is so good her onetime shot becomes a recurring role and makes her a star.

But this time, the girl was fiery-haired Laura Leighton, and the show was Fox's sudsy Melrose Place. And the role in which we all came to love (and hate) her was schemin', screamin' Sydney Andrews Mancini Field.

And not all the heat was onscreen. In short time, Leighton was engaged to original Melrose hunk Grant Show. Big news. But it was truly tabloid fodder when she broke it off and started dating costar Doug Savant. (The two were married not long after.) And the stunning continued when Leighton and several other cast members left the ailing show last year.

What now? Well, never fear. If small-screen godfather Aaron Spelling likes you, you're sure to be back. And that's exactly what happened. Leighton is spending this fall on Beverly Hills, 90210--for what's being listed right now as a 10-episode guest spot.

So, E! Online was jazzed when this sexy siren agreed to step up for your questions. Will Sophie wreak as much havoc as Sydney? What was it like dating the men of Melrose--on and offscreen? And...did she really have to autograph a fan's underwear?


From ftmy: I am a Melrose fanatic! Do you still watch the show, and do you miss working on it?
I actually stopped watching the show after the second season. Not only was it a little confusing, because we were always shooting so many episodes ahead, but I'm just not a TV watcher. If I turn on the TV, it's for sports events, or sometimes the news. The NBA lockout is really driving me crazy.

From melroselover: Did you enjoy working on Melrose? Do you still keep in touch with any cast members?
I loved the time I spent there. The cast and crew really did become a family, because we were there ALL THE TIME! We have remained friends. Josie and Rob, Daphne, Courtney, Grant and I try to keep in touch even though we're all so busy.

From rustymartin: Of all the characters your character dated/slept with/blackmailed on Melrose, who do you think was Sydney's soul mate?
First of all, Sydney only blackmailed ONE, and I don't think she slept with as many as some others I could mention. But I think Chad Lowe's character, Carter, was probably her soul mate, and when she screwed that up, she was devastated and married David Charvet's character on the rebound, which of course led to her inevitable gory death.

From bunnygirl41: How is it different on 90210? And which character better fits the real you?
The experience was pretty much the same, although I worked on Melrose for a much longer time and I owned the character a bit more. I don't think I'm like either character, but I probably brought a lot more of myself to Sydney, in terms of her goofiness. I had a lot of fun trying silly things with her.

From annie_b: What's it like working for Aaron Spelling?
Mr. Spelling is a sweet man--and loyal. He often works with the same people for years. I admire that. He also gave me my first job--Melrose Place!

From kernesti: I was just wondering how you got into acting?
I grew up being very involved with music. I enjoyed musical theater and stuff, but it wasn't until I was 17 or 18, while I was doing musical theater, that I suddenly wanted to learn about acting. I then studied for a few years before even attempting to get a job acting...except for commercials. I got my SAG card from a Pizza Hut commercial. You couldn't even see me.

From ssaucedo: I've always delighted in your comic sense and timing. I once heard that a network was striving for a sitcom idea, with you in mind as star. Would you like to do a comedy series some day. And what comic performers do you personally like?
I would love to do a comedy series, and I've been looking at a lot of them. I really admire Tracey Ullman--she is so completely committed and transformational. Also, Lucille Ball was a classic comedian who did it so joyfully. Holly Hunter, too, is a smart comic actress I admire.

From karlman: Are you interested in a film career, or are you are you planning to stick to television?
I'd like to have a film career, but I'm also still open to television projects.

From jjxajj: You were recently in Texas City (where I live) filming Clean and Narrow. Did you enjoy it?
I had a great time. The people in Texas City couldn't have been nicer, and the cast and crew was great to work with.

From gadge: I think you're terrific. What are your upcoming projects and plans?
I've finished shooting a couple of independent movies, but they don't have release dates yet.

From tiggytatt: What do you do to relax and have fun?
I'm generally a homebody, although I love to cook for other people. We have small dinner parties a lot, and we also love to work on our house and yard. We're constantly in the middle of a painting project or something.

From TSWEHO: Do you travel on your time off? And, if so, where? What's your favorite place?
I seem to do more traveling for work than anything, although I finally went to Europe for the first time when Doug and I honeymooned in France. I loved it! I also like to get away for weekends. We don't even have to go far, just to relax is great.

From hefner: What's the most unusual fan request you've ever received?
I was once shooting a movie on location and the mayor of the town (which shall remain nameless) asked me to autograph his underwear. I nearly gagged. And, by the way, I refused.

From ralf_doebele: I'm living in Germany and hardly know your original voice. How involved are you, if at all, with Sydney's synchro-voice for other countries?
I've actually never heard any of the foreign dubbing. I hear it can be really strange to see my face with another voice! The actors on Melrose Place have nothing to do with who's voice they use in other countries.

From imatwork: Do you get to keep the clothes you wear on 90210 or the ones you wore on Melrose?
No...and Sydney's clothes were never something I could see myself in! Some of them were pretty memorable, too. Even if they were me, I'd be afraid people would remember what scene I shot while wearing it.

From sweetsexythang: What's your most indispensible CD nowadays? And what's in your stereo right now?
Lately I've been listening to CDs I first loved when I was in high school--Manhattan Transfer doing Thelonious Monk and the soundtrack from the musical Chess. I'm kind of a geek.

From troybank: What do you treasure most in life?
My family...those relationships are the constants.

From ll_fan: Who have your role models been throughout your personal life or career?
My mother has always been a role model and inspiration. I also admire women who seem to do it all--the ones who are successful but still keep their family life the priority. Meryl Streep comes to mind; she's a brilliant actress and I admire the way she chooses to live her life.

From arjs: Will you and your husband ever go back to Melrose Place together?
No, we both want to explore other things in our careers.


You heard it straight from the horse's mouth. Sydney will stay dead. And so will Matt. Not that we really cared about him...


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