`miracle On 34th Street' Likable Despite Big Flaws

Anthony Bantell 
December 15, 1997 
Anthony A. Bantell, Of North Main Street, Pittston, Died Monday In 
Wilkes-barre General Hospital.

Wednesday, December 17, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1C 





`Evil' actress a do-gooder at heart &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Andrea Parker relishes her role as television's meanest villain. As the icy &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Miss Parker on NBC's ``The Pretender,'' she's been labeled the poster girl
for women with attitudeMiss Parker is absolutely bad-to-the-bone. She could
cut someone's heart out without blinking an eye. She makes J.R. Ewing seem
like Santa Claus. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, in real life, Andrea Parker is just the opposite of her evil TV
character. She's a caring, compassionate person with a big heart. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For the past two years, Parker has devoted much of her spare time to
befriending cancer-afflicted teens. She's a member of the Glenn Siegel "My
Good Friend," a charity organization based in Freehold, N.J. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The experience is overwhelming," Parker said in an interview with The
Times Leader. "It is perhaps the most rewarding endeavor of my life." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker said she first heard about "My Good Friend" while guest-starring on
an episode of "JAG," when that show was on NBC. It's now on CBS. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Someone left a package in my trailer with information about the `My Good
Friend' foundation," Parker said. "They were trying to enlist various
celebrities and sports stars that children with life-threatening illnesses
might look up to. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I read all the information in 10 minutes and I was moved to tears," Parker
added. "It told the story of a young man named Glenn Siegel, who was diagnosed
with a rare form of brain cancer." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker said the boy's courageous but losing battle tore her heart out. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I think his pain was indescribable," Parker said. "The strength and
courage children have to find within themselves is amazing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This organization is all about having someone to be there for you and take
your attention off yourself and your pain, even if only for a few minutes,"
she added. "A friendship can be an oasis from hospitals and pain. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I wanted to do something to help." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker is a special friend to a 16-year-old West Virginia girl who's a
devoted fan of "The Pretender." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "She had a brain tumor that was removed," Parker said. "She was undergoing
chemotherapy and making a beautiful recovery. Then they found another tumor on
her spine and it was removed. Now she's finishing up her second bout with
chemo." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker said she has corresponded with the teenager through the mail for two
years, and that she calls the girl at least once a week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The feelings of others has been of innate importance to me since before I
even understood what it was about," Parker said. "I love people- not just my
own family, but complete and total strangers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The thought of someone else being in pain provokes a desire within me to
help in whatever capacity that might be." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker is a Southern California native who's first love was dancing. She
began to study ballet at age 6 and dedicated herself to improving daily. She
trained with youth ballet programs in New York, San Francisco and Cleveland. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She joined the San Francisco Ballet when she was 15. During her three-year
tenure, Parker performed at the Metropolitan Opera House and toured the
country. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It (ballet) was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life," Parker
said. "But when I turned 18, it lost its luster." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker returned to Los Angeles and began a career as a contemporary dancer,
appearing in numerous videos, commercials and fashion shows. She also tended
bar part-time for five years while putting herself through acting classes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker landed her first acting role on "Seinfeld." Subsequent appearances
on "Ellen," "Dream On," "Coach," "JAG" and "Dave's World" helped her land a
permanent role on "The Pretender." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker, who is married and has no children, said she believes acting is her
true calling. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I go to work and I play all day long," said Parker, who declined to give
her age, other than to say it contains a 2. "I fantasize and make believe. I
get to be someone that I'm not, someone that I wouldn't be comfortable acting
out as in real life. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I have free license to provoke and to be as condescending and evil as I
can possibly be," she added. "I'm having the time of my life." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She's so convincing in the role of the villainous Miss Parker that
sometimes it carries over into her personal life. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Some people are even afraid to put their hand out because they think I
might bite it," Parker said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She said an excellent example occurred recently when she attended her best
friend's baby shower. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There were some people there I'd never met before," Parker said. "I wore a
big old floppy hat, so I was very indiscreet. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I met this woman and we seemed to hit it off," she added. "We spent 45
minutes gabbing and chit-chatting and having a great time." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But things took a different turn when the woman learned of Parker's role on
"The Pretender." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "She gave me a startled look, and her eyes kept getting bigger," Parker
said. "Then she said `Oh my God, you are Miss Parker.' She was so angry and
upset that she refused to speak with me the rest of the party. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Deep down, I was flattered, but on the surface I got offended," Parker
added. "I'd just been speaking to this woman for 45 minutes, and she thought I
was lovely. Then she found out I was Miss Parker, and she dropped me like a
hot potato." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When she's not at work, Parker enjoys fast cars and guns. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Cars are my passion," Parker said. "There's nothing like the smell of
burning rubber in the morning. I just can't get enough. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is coming from a girl who played with Barbies and took ballerina
lessons all her life," Parker added. "Here I am, with the need for speed. It
cracks me up." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parker said fell in love with cars after learning how to do a reverse 180
for an acting role. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My passion for guns also stemmed from my acting," said Parker, who
considers herself an excellent marksman. "I play characters who carry guns for
a living. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I want to make sure they look as authentic as possible," she added. "It's
also a great source of therapy for me to go to the gun range and unload a few
rounds." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As much as she enjoys her hobbies, nothing matches the pleasure of her
charity work, Parker said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I think that people and or maybe the kids that I call think I'm a
glamorous movie star. But in reality, I'm just another human being who cares
for others." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 (Glenn Siegel's "My Good Friend" is a national charity; volunteers can
write to the organization at: 3587 Highway 9, No. 207, Freehold, New Jersey
07728). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Van Rose is a Times Leader staff writer. His television column appears
every Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Andrea Parker in her role as the villain on `The Pretender'. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

`evil' Actress A Do-gooder At Heart 
Andrea Parker Relishes Her Role As Television's Meanest Villain. As The Icy 
Miss Parker On Nbc's ``the Pretender,'' She's Been Labeled The Poster Girl For 
Women With Attitude.

`evil' Actress A Do-gooder At Heart Andrea Parker Relishes Her Role As Television's Meanest Villain. As The Icy Miss Parker On Nbc's ``the Pretender,'' She's Been Labeled The Poster Girl For Women With Attitude.