Where To Watch
Barbara Hale compared joining a television series to having a baby
Here's why she said it, and why it sort of makes perfect sense.
Taking on a new job is quite a commitment, both physically and mentally. It can take you away from your friends and family and occupy a space in your mind that exists long after you clock out for the day.
This sentiment is especially true if your work is incredibly intensive and hands-on, like performance. While the fame and notoriety of television and movies can be tempting for some, it's important to remember that actors are subject to long working hours and require discipline and commitment that many of us would turn up our noses at.
Barbara Hale found fulfillment in both her personal and professional life. While she made a career for herself as an actor, she also had a beautiful family with her husband Bill Williams. Williams himself was an actor, and the couple had three children together.
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, While it's difficult to picture anyone else in the role of Della Street of Perry Mason, Hale revealed that she wouldn't have even auditioned for the role if her children weren't older. "The main reason I felt I could take the Della Street part is that the children are old enough to spend most of the day in school."
While acting was important to Hale, her priority was being a good parent to her children. Moreover, she understood the commitment that a television series required.
"I waited quite a while before I became involved in such a time-consuming thing as a weekly TV series," she said. "You know, signing for a series is like having a baby. From the time you make the pilot to actual production, you are committed. You can't be involved in anything else because the series has first call."
Luckily, Hale was able to split her time quite well between her work and her family, making sure that while she was taking care of business on Perry Mason, she also had enough time for her children.
Related
8 Comments
That's wonderful...but he's talking to Meldrick. (Andre Braugher, who played Frank, isn't in the scene!)
