America Online Live!

OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.

OnlineHost: Your host is VeronikaAB (AOLiveMC8:) JudiDF (AOLiveMC11:.)

OnlineHost: Kellie Martin has segued from a beloved child star to an immensely talented and beautiful leading lady. Already a seasoned television veteran at twenty-one years old, Martin began pursuing an acting career at the tender age of seven. It all began when her aunt, a governess working for the late Michael Landon, showed Landon a picture of her niece. After an impressive audition, he immediately signed Kellie for an appearance on his television series, "Father Murphy." Her career had been launched. Welcome!

AOLiveMC8: On behalf of Oldsmobile and AOL Live, welcome to the Bowl Kellie Martin!

KellieMrtn: Hi! Happy Holidays everyone. This is my first time doing this.

AOLiveMC8: First time! Well then we are really glad to have ya here! Are you ready for some questions?

KellieMrtn: Yes!

(Note: I'm pretty sure she meant first time actually TYPING the answers)

AOLiveMC8: Our first question tonight comes from Slm22: Did you enjoy filming "Christy?"

KellieMrtn: Yes. I very much enjoyed it. Living in Tennessee and working with the local children was an amazing experience.

AOLiveMC8: StarWarz1 would like to know: Hey Kelly, what do you like for a hobby?

KellieMrtn: I enjoy reading. Edith Wharton is my favorite author. I love to travel. Paris, France is my favorite city. I also love being with my family and my friends. I enjoy the beach too.

AOLiveMC8: SnakeBi88 asks this question: How long have you been an actress?

KellieMrtn: Since I was 7 years old. Wow! That's 14 years now!

AOLiveMC8: METN has this question for you: Question for Kellie, You are so hot. Any big screen work in the works? Coming to East TN anytime in the future? Merry Christmas.

KellieMrtn: I'm not planning on coming to Tennessee. I would love to do a feature film. Absolutely. Right now I'm pretty embedded in TV. It's hard to dig out.

AOLiveMC8: When you do get to the big screen, is there anyone special you would like to work with?

KellieMrtn: Oh wow! I would love to work Emma Thompson. Tom Cruise, I think is great. I just saw "Jerry McGuire." I loved it.

AOLiveMC8: MonroeNIN has this question for you: Hi Kellie. I've been a fan of yours for a while. I am studying theatre going to graduate college soon. Want to pursue acting, any tips for a hopeful actress? for you? :) If you are ever in NC, I would love to meet you.

KellieMrtn: Getting an education, studying theater is a great foundation. I wouldn't want to tell anyone to jump on a plane and come to Los Angeles. Getting into local theater is a great way to get started. I've taken this last semester off because I've been working on a few projects. Hopefully, I'll find time to return to college soon.

AOLiveMC8: Jim077Bond would like to know: Hi Kellie. I have rarely been so moved by television drama as I was by your on going performance as "Becca" in "Life Goes On." Did playing the role help you deal with some of the problems of growing up that Becca dealt with?

KellieMrtn: Becca was a lot like myself. Since I never attended normal high school, that's where I did most of my growing. Luckily, I never had to deal with the problems that Becca dealt with. Dealing with those problems on the show, opened my eyes and made me a better person.

AOLiveMC8: Leekone has this nice comment and question: Kellie, I think you have the most beautiful eyes in the world. My question is, do people tell you that all the time? Yes, people do. Both my parents have blue eyes and I guess I inherited that quality.

AOLiveMC8: EMTDSusan has this for you: I've really enjoyed watching you on your shows and movies I wish you happiness and success in whatever you do. I hope school is going well for you. Are you in touch with Corky still? Sorry, can't remember his real name. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

KellieMrtn: I still see Chris Burke as often as I can. I received a Christmas card from him and sent him one as well. I hope to visit him soon. He's been very busy with a magazine that he works with. It's a Down's Syndrome magazine that his is editor of. I wish him the very best.

AOLiveMC8: LauraKML has this question: Kellie, I think you're a great actress and I really admire your work. Could you tell us about your character in your new TV series "The Center?" And when will the show be coming on?

KellieMrtn: My character in "The Center" is Kathy. She is a psychology student who works in a Crisis Center. It's very fast paced. A lot like "ER." It will be on NBC in March, Thursdays at 10 PM. It will have a different theme each week. Other cast members are Dana Asherok, Matt Roth, Nia Peeples.

AOLiveMC8: Lauren42 would like to know: Why was the series "Christy" canceled?

KellieMrtn: Unfortunately, "Christy" was popular in mid America. The ratings just weren't high enough in the big cities like New York and Chicago. Therefore the show had to go.

AOLiveMC8: TSutton88 Asks: Kellie, will the cast of "Life Goes On" ever reunite for a special show?

KellieMrtn: I doubt it. Patti Lupone who played my mother is currently doing a Broadway play. The man who played my father does a lot of roles in feature films. And Chris Burke is doing the magazine in New York too. Even though we try to keep in touch as much as possible it doesn't look like a reunion will happen any time soon.

AOLiveMC8: Richnfamo has a follow-up to a previous response: Hi Kellie. You said you hope to live in France someday. I love French culture too. What is it about French culture that you love so much?

KellieMrtn: I love to spend most of my time in museums. I'm a History major and I think France is beautiful. I've been there 3 times now and someday hope to live there.

AOLiveMC8: TidalCres asks: I've enjoyed a lot of the work that you've done very much! How was it for you to finally portray the "bad guy" in your TV movie with Tori Spelling?

KellieMrtn: Well, that was a big change for me. It was a different experience from playing the sweet, innocent girl next door. I won't say it was fun but it was different. Tori was a very nice girl and I didn't like to have to stab her. I'm grateful for that part because it showed people that I can play more than just a "nice" girl.

AOLiveMC8: Slm22 has this question: How was it to act in a movie with Antonio Sabato Jr.? How is he in person?

KellieMrtn: He is very nice. I didn't spend that much time him but he's a very giving actor. And he's not bad to look at either.

AOLiveMC8: JayeR157 asks: Who is one person that has most inspired you to become who you are today? You are a terrific actress!

KellieMrtn: Well, I credit Michael Landon with starting my career. And without my family I never would have gotten as far as I have. My mother, to this day, still comes to the set with me a lot. And I thank my sister for allowing my mother to come to the set with me. Without their sacrifices I never would have come this far.

AOLiveMC8: AprilElly would like to know: Hi, Kellie! Of all the dramatic roles you've played, which role did you feel was the most difficult one for you, emotionally?

KellieMrtn: I just finished a Movie of The Week called "Breaking Through" which airs December 30th. In it I played a blind and mute girl. I mean deaf and mute. Sorry. I had to spend weeks before we began to shoot learning sign language. There were some members of the deaf community that had a problem with a "normal" actress playing a deaf girl. But we were commended for putting a show like this out there.

AOLiveMC8: BENNYPOOH asks: Kellie, do you have a boyfriend?

KellieMrtn: Yes! My boy friend is Scott Weinger. We've been together almost 4 years now.

AOLiveMC8: Mcsammy would like to know: Is there a fan club or some where we can write to you? If so what is it?

KellieMrtn: I've been told there are fan clubs. None that I'm aware of. I get fan mail via my agent or through the network, NBC.

AOLiveMC8: Richnfamo has another question for you: Who are the actresses you like to watch for enjoyment and inspiration?

KellieMrtn: This is a hard question! Hard I mean. I don't go to the movies often or watch much TV. Wow! Some actresses that I enjoy watching are Emma Thompson, Wynona Ryder and a few others.

AOLiveMC8: Jim007Bond asks: What have you found most rewarding and most challenging about being an actress?

KellieMrtn: The different characters that I've had to play. The locations that I've traveled to. I've been to Tennessee, North Carolina, Prague in Europe. So, as much as I love acting, I've given up a lot in my social life, like not attending normal high school and not having stable friendships along the way.

AOLiveMC8: Heather4Y has this nice comment for you: I just wanted to say how much your acting and the roles you have played have meant to me as I was growing up. I felt that there was someone my age who was going through a lot of the same problems. Thanks so much for helping me through my own growing up!

KellieMrtn: Thank you! I'm glad I could help.

AOLiveMC8: SJansing has this for you: Merry Christmas Kellie:0) My question is, how was it working with Dean Cain in the Hawaiian episode?

KellieMrtn: Well, before Dean was Superman, I had the pleasure of working with him. He was just as gorgeous then as he is now. He's a really nice person but unfortunately I didn't keep in touch with him. After the episode was over.

AOLiveMC8: Richnfamo would like to know: What was it about your role in "The Center" that intrigued you enough to want to commit to another series?

KellieMrtn: A writer NY the name of Sonia St. John created "The Center." I had worked with her before. She created the AIDS story line in "Life Goes On" and I jumped at the chance to work in something that she had created.

AOLiveMC8: MarkExact asks: What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?

KellieMrtn: Hopefully, I'm still acting and doing feature films. I would like to create maybe some of my own projects, maybe do a little writing. Try a little directing perhaps?

AOLiveMC8: ScottB170 would like to know: Hi! Saw you dance en pointe on "Life Goes on." Had you done that before? And do you still dance en pointe? or ballet? Thanks

KellieMrtn: I took ballet and en pointe when I was younger for about 6 years. But since high school, I haven't done much dancing.

AOLiveMC8: PaulaG9 asks: Hello Kellie, Are there any roles you either wished you had not turned down or that you wished you had tried out for?

KellieMrtn: I've always wanted to play the role of Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet." I would also love to have the opportunity to play Ann Frank.

AOLiveMC8: Lesboploz has this for you: Kellie, I am a great fan of your work. .What was it like to be famous at such a young age?

KellieMrtn: At times it did get overwhelming. It's hard to not be able to go to a movie or the mall without being recognized. I love my fans but it's hard sometimes. But I wouldn't trade my life for anything.

AOLiveMC8: Steve kml asks: Hi Kellie! I think you are a wonderful actress. Tell me, what do hope people will get out of your latest movie, "Breaking Through." How do you think you were changed by playing this role?

KellieMrtn: I hope people will realize that someone who is handicapped is not less of a person. It's very easy to be looked down upon for having a disability. Learning sign language gave me a new respect for deaf people because of their perseverance in learning.

AOLiveMC8: Despera619 would like to know: Which director would you most like to work with and why?

KellieMrtn: Steven Speilberg and Oliver Stone have done tremendous things in their movies. They've gone beyond the profit motive in them. I hope one day to work with them.

AOLiveMC8: Another question from Jim007Bond: What are some of the things that your mentor Michael Landon taught you about acting, and about life in general?

KellieMrtn: Michael Landon helped me to get started. He gave me my first part He taught me that you can do everything in the entertainment industry, act, produce, and direct.

AOLiveMC8: Our time is coming to an end so this will be our last question:

Our last question is from Garrbearr: Our last question. How do the roles Kellie Martin the actress plays affect Kellie Martin the person?

KellieMrtn: Oh my! I try to put much of myself into the parts that I play. From each new character, I learn a little more about myself.

AOLiveMC8: Kellie, on behalf of AOL, Olds and our audience, thank you so much for being here tonight! And we wish you a great Holiday!

KellieMrtn: I'd like to thank everyone for their questions and wish every one a safe and happy holiday season. I hope that you enjoy my performances in "The Center" and "Breaking Through."

AOLiveMC11:: Good night, everyone! :))

AOLiveMC8: And thank you also audience for all your great questions! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest online every Monday through Friday, and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "AOL Live" within 24 hours after the event has ended.

OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.