I am Joanna Cassidy

I remember really enjoying your role in Don't tell Mom the Baby Sitter is Dead!

Any memories from working on that film?

Yes, my knees were scrapped after I spent hours on the floor eating the M&M's trying to make Christina laugh.

Scrapping my knees from hours on the floor eating M&M's trying to make Christina laugh.

Which film or TV show do fans bring up the most when they meet you?

I'd be inclined to say, "I'm right on top of that, Rose" if given the chance.

Oh my goodness! People bring up 240 Robert a lot...

Check out my Instagram comedy clips, and checkout my website with is OfficialJoannaCassidy.com

Also, I would like to say thank you all. If anyone wants to talk to me privately they can go on "Coach the World" .com

I am a good therapist.

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This has been great. If I missed your question I do apologize. I'll see you next time and I can't wait to talk to you all again!

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All my best,

Joanna Cassidy

Favorite memory from working on Six Feet Under?

Pulling the woman out of the car. My most unfavorite moment was when Rachel Griffith slapped me in the car.

Was Rutger a gentleman?

Absolutely, and my snake thought so too.

What the thing you found most surprising about acting in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Specifically working with characters or imagining something happening that would be animated later, what was that like?

It was like working in a void, but I have a good imagination and you have to throw your connection out to a certain spot, for example three feet away, and that's where I saw the rabbit.

Was it weird working with Michael C. Hall and then seeing him transform into Dexter?

He was Dexter when he was in Six Feet Under... he was preparing for the role.

What is Christopher Lloyd like?

He and I got along like a s'mores.

Could you tell you were working on/in classics during production? Both Blade runners are right up there, must be proud to be in it.

Yes, I did. All the right energy and chemistry came together on that movie. You could feel it. The air was electric, and I knew Ridley would be huge.

Also, I am very proud to have been a part of that. Maybe that's why I was born

Hi Joanna! How was your day so far? What’s your favorite cake?

Pineapple upside down cake is my favorite. My day has been really beautiful thank you.

Did you get to keep Zhora's outfit? If so do you still wear it? (I'm from the American Federation of Variety Artists)

I kept it for 25 years until I redid "Going Through The Glass" and then I sold it.

Was Deckard a replicant? Now, we know that he is, but what was known back when you were making the movie?

Ridley wouldn't say at the time whether Deckard was a replicant or not, in fact it took him years to admit that he was.

Was it unnerving working with a live snake on the Bladerunner set? One of my biggest fears is being around a wild animal, and I always admire actors or other professionals that must power through it, whether it bothers them or not.

Although I only saw Bladerunner for the first time when I was 18, thirty years after it came out, your scene has always stuck in my mind. Thanks for doing the AMA!

I'm thrilled to be doing this and getting to talk to people like you! And, that was my snake.

How you holding up this year?

I have a little hair loss, and I'm very thin, but not so bad! I'm not wearing any jewelry to honor the people who have given so much of their lives to help others. I hope some of the videos I've done on instagram have given some levity in our world.

What was it like to work with Baby Herman? He seems like a real jerk.

In all honesty, thank goodness I didn't have to engage with any of the animators. But they were good weren't they!?!

Six Feet Under it's one of my favorite show of all time... After so much time what do you think of the show in general? Do you like? Rewatch? Tell someone to watch? Love you <3

Thank you first of all. That show will hold up forever. It was the beginning of a whole different kind of TV. It reminds me of a movie that I did called Under Fire with Nick Nolte and Gene Hackman, which also stands the test of time.

What was it like working with Nicolas Winding Refn in ’Too Old to Die Young’?

It was a challenge. There were takes that would go as long as nine. minutes. When I died, which you didn't see, I was laying on a very hard mattress for nine minutes and it was very to stay still.

In the past two days I’ve seen you in The Rockford Files and my umpteenth rewatch of Blade Runner and now here. I never expected to have a Baader-Meinhof moment with Joanna Cassidy. Do you still keep snakes? If I recall, the python Zhora had was in fact yours. Huge fan btw, you’re always a highlight, even in Ghosts of Mars

No snakes anymore, just their skins.

What was Bob Hoskins like to work with?

Well, coming from the mob, you had to get everything right. He was a gem.

I'm right on top of that Rose! It must be amazing to be apart of such a culturally important film. What is your best memory from Don't tell mom? Thanks so much for your art and being in this strangers life.

A long answer to that. When I do this again I'll talk about it. Thanks for being a fan.

Have you ever read Philip K. Dick's original book? if so what are your thoughts on how he portrays women?

I read the book 20 years before I played the part, and he had an idealized image of the female. I met him and I think he fell in love.

Did the entire cast of SFU cry when reading the finale?

Oh there was not a dry eye.

It was great seeing you on Star Trek Enterprise. How did you like working on that show?

My favorite part was getting the wig and the ears. If I could ever be a type of person I would love to be a Vulcan.

Hey! What's your favorite kind of sandwich?

Tongue on rye with a little mayonaise

How was working with someone as obnoxious as Roger on the set and did you think his behavior is the reason why toons were kicked out of Hollywood for good?

No question about it.

Hi, Joanna! I kinda grew up on DTMtBD and Roger Rabbit. I've not seen Odd Mom Out yet, but I'd be happy to check it out! Just wanted to say thanks for being a part of my childhood.

But, I also gotta ask a question, so here goes. What was your favorite project that you worked on (tv, movie, doesn't matter) and why?

Six Feet Under was my fav. I loved working with the actors that played my children. Rachel Griffith and Jeremy Sisto. And thank you for being apart of my adulthood.

What was it like to redo the “Going Through the Glass” scene in Blade Runner for the Final Cut? Are there any other films you’d like to revisit in a similar way?

Everything else I've done is done. I can only change it, but the character of Zhora going through the glass was imperative for me to redo, because that's a film that will never go out of peoples minds, and whenever I watch the scene I cry. The music is so moving and the visuals I thought were so extraordinary. I was only in the movie 9 minutes and I wanted it to be perfect.

Who was your favorite to work with on Six Feet Under? It remains one of my favorite shows and I thought you were great in it. I also loved Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, I need to introduce my children to it so they understand what "Right on top of that, Rose" means!

Rachel Griffith, my daughter.

Has anyone ever hit you with "I'm right on top of that, Rose" following Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead?

Yes, all over the world.

Working with animals can be fun. How was it to work with your own snake in Blade Runner? Clearly it wasn’t a problem for you, but how was the crew?

Do you still have herps as companion animals?

Not anymore. It was hard to get a date. Nobody said a word in the crew about the snake, they were too scared, but there was a snake handler.

I watched the Fourth Protocol just last week, and introduced my kids to Who Framed Roger Rabbit this weekend.

Did you have the option of filming Zhora's death scene (and so avoiding the continuity issues), or was it always going to be done by a stunt double?

It was originally done by a stunt double. Then 25years later I redid it with myself in front of a green screen. If you look at the movie now it's seamless. It always bothered me and I pushed to get it redone. Go on youtube and see the Zhora snake dance I did 8years ago. They never shot it in the original film.

What's your guilty pleasure?

Caramel Chocolates

You are as graceful in your prime as you were in your youth. What’s your secret?

Dancing.

What kind of books do you like to read?

Autobiographies. Every one I can get my hands on, and one of these days I'll do my own.

Being nostalgic, I was binging the Ray Bradbury Theater TV show from the 80's this summer and during a particular episode (The Lonely One) I was thinking who is this charismatic redhead spitfire? I looked up the episode on IMDB and it was you lol. How did that job come about? Any interesting stories there?

I met Ray Bradbury at a party and he invited me to do one of the shows. I was a binge reader of Ray Bradbury.

Were you a fan of Blade Runner as a film? What was it like filming?

YES! Absolutely. Night shoots, very interesting.

What's your favorite thing about working on NCIS: NOLA?

Scott Bakula is one of the finest most generous actors I've ever met.

What do you remember most about Ridley Scott's directing style on the set of Blade Runner?

He didn't speak very much during the takes. It was all pre-spoken about. He was very precise.

Do you keep in touch with any of the cast from Don't Tell Mom?

Yes, Keith Koogan is a buddy. I haven't seen Christina Applegate for a while

Have you ever tried Tillamook Peanut Butter and chocolate ice cream? I dont work for them, but I think you would like it.

No, but I will.

Hi Joanna! Is there a certain actor or director you’ve always wanted to work with?

Ridley Scott again, and Tom Hardy as an actor.

I loved “Who framed roger rabbit”! Was the role hard while trying to imagine toons around you?

No it wasn't hard. Once I learned how to refocus my eyes sp I could project depth it was easy. The lens in your eyes change shape when you look further away, and the camera can see it.

Do you think they should have done a fifth season of Call Me Fitz?

ABSOLUTELY! That was the bet time I ever had doing television. I've never laughed so hard I my life. Everyone should see that show.

Hi Joanna,

Do you eat the rind on ham, or do you cut it off?

The rinds are the best part, gotta have that. You have to have a little crazy fat in life.

What was it like working with John Carpenter on Ghosts of Mars?

We were working on Indian Land in New Mexico, and we worked nights. I liked the way John Carpenter sat in his chair and barked orders.

Hi, I hope you're keeping positive and testing negative! I was just curious, what is your greatest Acting tip?

I've taken 18 tests all negative and I've been working like crazy.

Test negative and keep positive!

What was the audition process like for Roger Rabbit?

I read with the Director, no casting person involved.

what was working with hackman and nolte like?

Intense....

Haven’t watched odd mom out yet. Always liked your work though.

What has been your favorite role and why?

I loved Six Feet Under. I thought that character was as full as a character can be made, with all the edges and angles.

Thanks for AMA'ing, Joanna.

What was it like to work with Dabney Coleman?

Danny was one of the most brilliant actors I've ever worked with. Funnier than anyone I've ever known. He could make you laugh with your eyes closed.

Hi Joanna - What do you do on your free time? Any hobbies?

Yes, I'm a Gardner and a photographer... and a roller skater...

What advice would you give yourself when you were first starting?

If you want an in depth answer to this, get in touch with me through "coach the world" and I can talk you through it.

What kind of dogs do you have?

I don't have dogs anymore. Come on my instagram and see my comedy clips.

What did you know about the movie, how did you feel about and what did you think when you auditioned for Blade Runner?

I knew I had to have the role because I had the snake!!!!!!

Would you have been up for a who framed roger rabbit sequel?

You ever see a script?

There was never a script for Roger Rabbit sequel.

I really admired your performance in “Under Fire”! It seemed like a physically and emotionally demanding role that presented a politically unpopular point of view. Do you have any anecdotes about showing a revolution on film?

It was politically unpopular and we almost didn't get out of Mexico for that very reason. Where we shot it.

Are you a "stick to the script" actor, or do you like to have some freedom? If the second, have you made any additions/contributions to your performances?

Ten years ago when writers were allowed on the set, the rules changed and it's pretty much word for word. I have a great deal of respect for the writers job and I stick to their words as close as I can.

How did money influence your movie choices?

Was there a movie you regret not being in because they didn't pay enough?

Are there any indie projects you want to join?

I do a lot of Indie projects. I do movies because I love the characters. It's not about the money for me.

Hi Joanna, what did you personally think of Margaret as a character in SFU?

I LOOOOOOVED her!!!!!

Holy cow! I'm literally watching Roger Rabbit right now, for the first time in probably a decade. I enjoyed it as a kid, love it even more as an adult. My question is, how hard was it "working" with toons they weren't there but were animated later? How did you keep line of sight with the animated characters during the shoots?

By the way, you and Bob Hoskins were fantastic.

Thanks...........They put a stuffed toy rabbit where we were supposed to look and voila' It worked

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001026/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Hi Joanna! As a working actress in Hollywood, do think there will be more roles for women when the pandemic is hopefully put under control, or do you think it will be more of the same?

I think there will be a lot more, because people have had time to think about it. We have a female vice-president, we have women talking about the state of things, if you haven't seen the show about the Gloria's, about Gloria Steinem, you should watch it. Be hopeful, it will all turn out.

How often do you get the line, “I’m right on top of that, Rose” stuck in your head? I still want to say it to my boss any time he asks for something. Loved you in that movie.

Thank you !!!! Very often......I say it to myself!!!!

We watch Roger Rabbit with the kids all the time! Will have to check out Odd Mom Out. What’s the premise in your words?

First of all you can watch Odd Mom Out on NBC peacock streaming right now. It's about the ladies in NY, and the snobbery that goes on amongst them. A great comedy. You can watch it with you kids. Depending on their age.

Joanna, I've enjoyed your movies/tv roles. I've seen you lately in a couple Daze With Jordan the Lion videos on YouTube. Will you be reprising your role as Pride's mother on NCIS NO this season?

I'm coming back and doing four shows in the beginning of next year and I can't wait.

You were in Club Paradise, a cult favorite of mine. Any tales from that shoot worth telling?

Yes, but you'll have to read them in my book.

Alright this one is hard : Naomi or Daniel ?

They're both great! Yes...

Why do you want to be famous? Why do ppl in LA value fame so much. I would hate to be famous, it actually scares me

No, you'd love it.

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Gone With the Wind

What does a typical day look like for a career actor?

Probably a day like yours.

Favorite film location you ever did?

Jamaca