She's been there. Fran Drescher has been an unwilling
passenger on that emotional roller coaster ride when
one's body won't function the way it used to, and directly
in the next seat is the persistent fear: Am I going to
die from this illness? An all too familiar terror to
those already living with HIV. It took Drescher over
two years and nine doctors to finally get a diagnosis
of uterine cancer."Doctors are fallible," writes Fran
in her second best-selling book, Cancer Schmancer, 'so
open your mouth! Thank God I did, because my attitude
saved my life." In 2000, Drescher had a radical hysterectomy,
and is now cancer-free, though she will need to get regular
check-ups until 2005 as a vital part of her long-term
recovery.
"She was out on her fanny. She's the lady in red. The
fashion girl from Flushing. The nanny named Fran...."
It won't stop! The catchy theme song from Fran's hit
TV sitcom, The Nanny, is on autopilot in my head,
as the A&U photographer and I drive up to her Malibu
beachfront home. It's one of those tunes that's hard
to shake. Now, unless you fell asleep in 1990 and didn't
wake up until the new millennium, you know that The
Nanny was created and produced by Fran and her high
school sweetheart and husband, Peter Marc Jacobson (they
divorced in 1999 after twenty-one years). Fran received
two Emmy nominations for her portrayal of the vivacious,
star-struck, kooky Miss Fine?very much Lucy Ricardo-like,
and, indeed, Lucille Ball was an inspiration for Fran.
If you want a treat, tune in sometime to the episode
that features Fran, Ren?e Taylor as her mother, Ann Morgan
Guilbert as Yetta, her grandmother (remember Rob and
Laura's neighbor Millie Helper on The Dick Van Dyke
Show? That's her!), and Lainie Kazan [A&U,
June 2003] as Aunt Freida. Watch these four pros camp
it up. (The Nanny appears five times daily on
Lifetime.) Near the end of the series, when it was all
coming together for Fran Fine?finally marrying the man
of her dreams, bearing twins, and moving to California?Fran
Drescher was suffering with cancer.
In the late seventies, Drescher debuted in the disco-era
film Saturday Night Fever, with John Travolta.
Subsequently, she worked with Robin Williams, Tim Robbins,
and Kevin Bacon [A&U, August 2000], as well
as directors Rob Reiner, Francis Ford Coppola, and Christopher
Guest. After bouncing around Hollywood for years, Fran
seized an opportunity while on an international flight
and approached a CBS producer who was also on the plane.
She pitched him her idea: a Sound of Music Julie
Andrews-type role but different in that she was Jewish,
wouldn't sing, and wouldn't possess any governess skills.
The producer liked the concept, and The Nanny ran
for six seasons from 1993-1999.
As we enter Fran's home, I feel as though I've just
stepped onto the sets of Hawaii Five-O and General
Hospital'tropical, yet stark. Her modest, though
elegant, home is decorated mostly in white ('I couldn't
deal with the noise of too much color'), with the exception
of fresh green-stalked yellow tulips on a glass end table
in the living room, and tan accents in the furniture
with the initials 'F.D.' on the center cushion of the
sofa. Fresh flowers and plants pepper the place. Another
prominent 'color' is Esther, Fran's two-year-old chocolate
Pomeranian, who greets us as if we?re old friends. Fran
is occupied upstairs with her hair and makeup crew readying
for the photo shoot.
The two-level dwelling is roomy, yet compact. The white
wooden beams along the living room ceiling slope upward
toward an exterior white deck, which invites an ocean
view. Entrance to the spacious deck is through floor-to-ceiling
sliding glass doors (affixed with flowing sheer panels),
fully complete with white patio furniture, where the
sound of crashing waves provides a soothing ambience
('I moved here because my life is all about anxiety').
Against the white fireplace mantle are two framed black-and-white
photographs of sex goddesses Dorothy Lamour and Marlene
Dietrich by the legendary Hollywood lensman, Hurrell.
Directly off from the living room and in full view is
Fran's cozy bedroom, which faces the ocean. Behind the
living room, is a white kitchen with an island of black
marble countertop, and over one sink is a large aquarium
that peers into Fran's stylish, elaborate bathroom. From
a large skylight hangs a chandelier adorned with ceramic
white roses. The stainless steel refrigerator doors are
covered with family pictures, including a hugging Fran
and Rosie O'Donnell. (Fran was the first cover girl on Rosie magazine.)
After a lengthy wait, Fran enters unceremoniously wearing
a big smile, jeans, black spiky heels, and a low-cut
long-sleeved black top accented with fuchsia ribbons
around her waist and wrists. Her appearance is soft and
unassuming; she looks exquisite and she sparkles. Fran
is easygoing, down-to-earth, and she's intently focused
on the photo shoot. In fact, Joe, the PR person, Bobbie,
her assistant, and Elaine, her longtime manager friend,
oversee the shoot along with the hair and makeup crew
standing by. Even her housekeepers for many years, Ramon
and Angelica, a Guadalajaran couple, though working,
are present and ready to lend a hand. It's a family affair,
and Fran wouldn't have it any other way.
In fact, halfway through the shoot Fran stops to nourish
herself on a little kasha warmed in the microwave, and
it becomes an impromptu lunch party. She encourages everyone
to partake of her organic vegetable soup, and falafel
wraps that Ramon picked up especially for this occasion.
Some of the crew delight in the cheesecake we brought
from Junior's Deli, but Fran shuns dairy products.
Drescher has always tried to live healthfully, but,
since the illness, her health consciousness has been
amplified. She now opts for organic produce versus conventional
products grown with pesticides. As she did during her
illness, Fran continues to see an acupuncturist, drink
prescriptive herbal teas, and attends psychotherapy three
times a week.
After the shoot, everyone departs, and Fran fusses with
the sheer panels, properly spacing them to allow the
ocean view. She takes a phone call in the bedroom and
closes the door. It's a heated discussion. When she reappears,
she's smiling like a Cheshire cat, clearly aware that
I had heard her raised voice. "I don't like taking 'no' for
an answer," she explains lightheartedly but in a firm
voice.
"I fear that the emphasis on AIDS fundraising and research
may be waning a little bit. It's important to support
events like the AIDS rides. That's why I wanted to do
this interview," she says, finally able to kick back
on the sofa while little Esther is fast asleep on the
opposite end. "I have a lot of fans in the gay community
and I just want them to know that I am still there for
them." She takes a sip of bottled water. "I also think
it's a good idea to reach out to the film and television
community, especially television, and encourage them
to include the subject of AIDS in scripted shows, so
that it becomes more of the fabric of our culture," she
urges. Fran has already set the example. In an episode
of The Nanny which starred Elton John, the theme of the
show revolved around the Elton John AIDS Foundation,
with which Fran is affiliated. She has also volunteered
for other AIDS organizations as well: AIDS Healthcare
Foundation, Caring for Babies with AIDS, and the Elizabeth
Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, in which she is a 'hero' at
their annual summer carnival.
Fran, a strong advocate for safe sex, is also active
with Planned Parenthood in their campaign to encourage
television shows to portray healthy sex. "I hosted a 'living
room' for them where writers and producers were invited.
There was a great push to encourage them in one episode
just to talk about HIV. You reach millions of people," she
elates open-mouthed. "AIDS should hit and affect the
characters that we're used to seeing and loving on TV
every week. Even if a character makes a donation to an
AIDS charity in the show, something that simple makes
a long-lasting impression in the hearts and minds of
the viewers." Indeed, shows like ER, Girlfriends [A&U,
April 2003], Becker, The District, Presidio
Med, and Queer As Folk [A&U, March
2002] have all had episodes on HIV/AIDS. Lest we forget
older shows, too: Designing Women and Golden
Girls.
Fran is not easily ignored. With her famous deep, nasal
voice she exudes a calm center and her eloquence is grounded
in hard-won wisdom.
"I remember when AIDS first appeared. It was so scary.
People started to panic. It seemed like it was a double-edged
sword because it had hit the gay community and people
were calling it a gay disease. Of course, it's a human
disease. I think it really is a credit to the gay community
because AIDS has certainly leveled off in contrast to
other groups that are still in denial." She pauses a
moment, looks down, then makes intense eye contact. "I
was in South Africa and that country is out of control.
I love South Africa," she exclaims. Fran is the spokesperson
and fundraiser for Foundation for Tolerance Education
(an organization that teaches young South Africans the
value of tolerance and acceptance by using the lessons
from the Holocaust and the era of apartheid)."It's hard
to tell an African man what to do with his penis. Some
of them lack education, and they don't have a lot to
make them feel good about themselves." She cocks her
head and, with a Miss Fine attitude, asserts impatiently,"Don't
be dickin? with your dick!? Then on a serious note adds,"I
guess the answer lies within the woman."
Fran is not only disturbed about the high number of
AIDS cases in Africa, but about the increase of HIV infections
here in our country, especially among teens."Probably
the only way to get through to them is to have a peer
with AIDS talk to them. They will never believe anyone
else. At that age you have this immortal thing going
on?a life is a forever thing? ?We?re not going to get
AIDS." I'm dumbfounded to hear how many teens and college
kids don't use condoms. It's really a sad state of affairs.
However, you have to understand the nature of the beast.
MTV understands that. Teens love watching themselves.
You?re out of the loop if you?re not one of them. So
if you can organize an army of teen AIDS patients to
go out and infiltrate the schools with their story, you
probably will be able to penetrate the thick skulls of
some of the kids."
Like so many of us, Fran has lost friends to AIDS. What
is her remedy for dealing with such loss? ?I don't think
anyone should ever sleep alone," she says in a surprise
response."If you don't have a mate, get a pet. If you
are experiencing a loss, or going through the drama of
being ill yourself, you can't sleep alone at night. At
night, you don't have the distractions of the day, and
so one's mind wanders off in places that can be very
scary and upsetting. Elaine [Fran's manager and friend]
actually said to me: ?Don't mix imagination with fear,
it's a deadly cocktail." When I had cancer, I had to
keep reminding myself of that because at night I would
start connecting dots that weren't there?What do I do?
Do I deserve this? Am I going die?"
To process her grief, Fran set up a memorial station
with prayer candles. She points to the kitchen where
there are pictures and memorabilia of her dog, Chester,
who died at the age of nineteen (Chester even appeared
on The Nanny and was billed as Chester Drescher).
The tribute sits near the edge of the black marble countertop,
where his ashes are contained in a small ceramic box
with the inscription: ?I just love ya, that's all." Next
to the box are candles that Fran lights whenever she
thinks of him. For Fran, those aching pangs of loss are
a sign that the loved one is touching her in that moment."You
can turn the negative [hurt feeling] into a positive.
It's much more useful and productive," she clarifies."You
light the candle, you say: I know you?re here. I feel
you. It's good. Thank you. Love you."
Riiiiinnnnnnnggggg!!!!!! It's the front door intercom.
It's Tony, a technician, here to install a telephone
in Fran's black Jag to accommodate her being left-handed.
Fran politely excuses herself, and goes to the garage
to discuss details with him. A couple more times throughout
the interview, Tony briefly interrupts.
After several minutes, Fran returns to continue our
conversation. The afterlife eludes Drescher somewhat
but she's confident that when we leave our bodies, we
move onward. She believes in angels, and in a higher
power that guides us here on earth."Allow yourself to
be carried and don't try to swim up stream. Have the
illusion that you can actually determine your own destiny.
Don't control; let it just unfold. See what doors
are opening and walk through them."
Doors definitely opened for Fran on her incredible journey
with cancer. What did she learn? "I'm not perfect, I'm
not a superwoman. I'm human just like everybody else," she
immediately replies with a proud resignation."I'm much
more compassionate to other people's pain and suffering
now. I know really what it feels like to be backed up
in a corner," she says with a heavy sigh,"and not know
what's going to be; feel like your body's betrayed you.
You wish you were anybody else in the world but you." She
eases back into the sofa and props up a pillow."Life
is not so easy. That's why we really have to enjoy the
moment and live in the present because to do anything
else is a waste of time. This is not the first trial
I've been put through in my life." Certainly not. Fran's
had two guns pointed at her head. Once as a teen, when
she was held up while working in a movie ticket booth,
and in 1985, when thieves broke into her and Peter's
home and raped Fran. Fortunately, the rapist was later
convicted.
Trauma is no stranger to Fran. What's the first thing
Fran would tell someone who is newly diagnosed with a
life-threatening disease? ?A couple of things: You are
a warrior, not a victim," she says steadfastly."You?ve
got to plan your play; and play your plan. You have to
strategize how you?re going to fight this so that the
disease is going to wish it never picked you in the first
place. You have to continue to find the positives in
your life because it is not your life; it is a facet
of your life. You have to use this as an opportunity
to change yourself for the better. And know that sometimes
the best gifts come in the ugliest packages."
?I'm not glad I had cancer but I am better for it. I
was never really able to ask for help. I was always a
giver, and uncomfortable about being a taker. When I
got cancer, that was the opportunity to change myself'take
people in; ask for help. To allow my friends and loved
ones to support, and sometimes even carry me, and know
that it was okay to allow myself to be vulnerable. To
not always having to be perfect. To force myself to see
that there are funny things that continue to happen.
The humor, the joy; it was right there all the time,
at the same time."
Fran removes a high-heeled shoe and puts her foot up
on the sofa. She continues: ?When I was watching television
on 9/11, mortified with the rest of the world, I suddenly,
for some reason, glanced out my bedroom window and like
divine intervention, I saw a pod of dolphins leaping
in the water. And I thought to myself, you know, this
is someone trying to tell me that this is not the end
of the world. It's just the end of the world that I knew," she
says softly yet with conviction."And that's true with
illness too. Some things in your life change, but your
essence, your being does not. Your life can actually
be much more fulfilling and enriching and deeper and
more meaningful and more purposeful?'she takes a breath??and
more connected and more loving. It can be an awakening.
You can say things that you haven't been able to say;
you can change things that you haven't been able to change.
You can turn it into an opportunity."
A tough and passionate advocate, Fran has seized the
opportunity to take her own personal battle to the public
arena. In March, she was invited to speak at a Senate
hearing on women's healthcare. In recognition of her
efforts over the years, Drescher has been the recipient
of the Gilda Award from Gilda's Club (named in honor
of Gilda Radner who fought a hard battle against her
cancer, before she finally succumbed), The City of Hope's
Woman of the Year, and the John Wayne Cancer Institute
honored Fran as a ?Woman of Achievement." Of course,
her acting career is in full swing; most recently she
appeared in the play The Exonerated.
After nearly five hours together, our conversation winds
down. Fran has been a patient and gracious host. We bid
farewell and embrace (she gives good hug!), and Fran
scurries off. I have a brief dialogue with her affable
assistant, and then I head for the front door. Already,
Fran is on her knees in the kitchen, rearranging the
pots and pans. She definitely likes things her way. With
headstrong optimism and a firm belief in her own powers,
Fran went from struggling actor to national television
star and along the journey she beat cancer, as well.
Although the Nanny has been retired, Fran has a greater
story to tell. Hopefully, we?ll continue to listen.
Fran Facts
Name your favorite TV sitcoms of all time?
I Love Lucy, Dick Van Dyke Show, Maude, All In The Family,
Everybody Loves Raymond, and Seinfeld.
Did you ever meet Lucille Ball?
No, but once we sat in the same room together, some
kind of large charitable event.
Do you ever watch The Nanny?
For years, I never watched it. Now that
I have Tivo, I watch it from time to time. It was
a good show [she admits with pride].
Where is you favorite place to disappear to? Where
do you go to recharge your batteries?
I love to travel. I love Europe, and being on
a safari in Africa, and walks on the beach. Traveling
is very restorative for me. It expands my world,
my mind, and makes me feel so energized that I always
come back with so much. It helps me to be creative. I
also like hiking in the mountains. I took a great hike
yesterday in Solstice Canyon where there is a running
stream year round.
Name your favorite city.
Paris.
Do you have a favorite movie of all time?
It's hard to say because there are so many great movies
but the one that I've probably seen more than any other
is Annie Hall. [She ponders.] The
first and second Godfather movies are wonderful,
too.
Anything you don't like about fame?
I don't have a lot to complain about. [She laughs.]
I probably would have to say the hardest thing is that
when you?re in trouble or pain, the media exploits it,
and that's always a double-cross to bear. Then
there is a certain heightened paranoia that you have
because you?re recognizable. I was just saying
the other day that I used to love going marketing. I
really enjoyed going up and down the aisles very slow;
I?d read the ingredient list on products. It was
very relaxing for me. Well, I don't do that anymore
because I feel like someone might follow me home. And
if I walk through a supermarket long enough, everyone
knows I'm there. So I'm like a beacon for the one
dude who's like?and I was already a victim of a violent
crime, so I live a little cautiously.
When they make a movie of your life, whom would
you like to play you?
Well, that's hard because I'm such an original, really. And
that's the nice way of putting it! Other people
have called me a freak. The first person that came
to mind was Julia Roberts. She's not always great
in everything she does, but she was great in Erin
Brockovich and Pretty Woman?and those were
two roles I could have played. She did it beautifully.
[She reasons.] If she could do something that,
well, that I know I could have done, then we have a similar
strain in which she could play me.
Out of the many people you have met, is there one
in particular who stands out who impressed you or inspired
you the most?
I've met a lot of impressive people?Princess Diana,
Streisand, but I don't really know them. I know Dan Aykroyd,
and in my opinion, he is a real mensch?very intelligent,
hard worker, considerate, never pulls a star trip. He's
concerned about the man who sweeps the floor on a sound
stage as much as the president of the studio. Robin Williams
has that same kind of quality that I have always admired. Working
with both Danny and Robin on movies, observing the way
they were and how they made me feel is who I modeled
myself after.
When I did The Nanny, actors who did the pilot
also did the very last show too, which is very unusual.
This cast was there all the way through because it was
a good ride. I like paying people well. I understand
their feelings and give them a lot of respect. I like
to make everyone feel good about what they?re doing?happy,
happy. We had a lot of parities'that all came from them.
[She thinks a moment.] I recently have found that Congressman
Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island is an extremely impressive
young guy?very smart, well read, an honest politician.
Who would you like to meet that you haven't
met yet?
Bill Clinton. Ya know, I just enjoy meeting new people!
In One Word
Elton John: glorious
Rosie O?Donnell: brilliant
Lainie Kazan: warm
John Travolta : innocent
Christopher Guest: quiet
Woody Allen: brilliant
Elizabeth Taylor: great, and tragic
Name one word to describe Fran Drescher
Peony. My girlfriend said to me that if I were
a flower I?d be a peony. Or joy, which is my middle
name.
Sincere thanks to Gregory Arlt of M.A.C. cosmetics,
Robert Steinken, and Chris Senna.
Dann Dulin interviewed Lainie Kazan for the June 2003
issue.
October 20
