On playing Miss O'Callaghan in the great director's last film, The Dead... For Sunday Miscellany on RTÉ Radio 1, listen to Easter Lilies for John Huston, by Maria Hayden above.
I was standing in the restroom of Authentic Cafe off Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, trying to catch my breath. Working treble shifts in Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs while trying to squeeze in acting opportunities, burnout was creeping in. I was a woman on the verge, wondering why I even came here.
I went back out to the floor and spotted an Irish friend, who waved me over to his table. He told me about a film that was meant to be shot in Ireland, but it had changed location, it would be shot in Hollywood now.
"There's only one role left to cast. Call the producer."
"Yeah yeah..." I said, but I'd no intention of it. I'd no agent, no sellable name. You just didn’t cold call a producer...
Listen to more from Sunday Miscellany here.
