And even then when you take it, you've got to take it with your whole heart.
And if real life was like the movies, I should have lived happily ever after.
As far back as I can remember, I've had only one real ambition: to be an actress.
Back then, everyone was Lana and Rock. No one had ethnic names.
Believe me, when an actress is told that her very name is synonymous with bad acting, she's had it.
But then I became so disillusioned... I had very little life experience and certainly no technique to deal with comedy with any flair.
I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and said, they can jail me, sue me, but I'm never acting again, unless I can do something worthwhile.
I never forget, remember that. Not an action, not a name, not a face.
I was so flattered to be asked to be in the movies - the idea of being paid to act was heady stuff.
I would love to play a Jewish role.
I would love to still be using my name.
I'm one of those people who has always been a bridesmaid.
I've always felt robbed of something by people not knowing I was a Jew.
If you can see what the outside is like, it stimulates the imagination, it frees you in a way, to think and feel the way a character might.
Instead of changing my name, I would change Piper Laurie. That was the beginning.
It took a long time, but I have learned that you just can't take anything you want out of life without putting something back in exchange.
One thing is certain. The old Piper Laurie is no more.
The fact is, I never wanted to be a movie star.
The ultimate umpire of all things in life is Fact.
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