cagney

Cagney & Lacey

I got a call from a casting director, Diane Dimeo, who was casting "Cagney & Lacey." She said, "I think I have something that you're right for... the part of a gang member whose brother's been killed by Cagney. Would you come in and read for it? It's a really good part."

So I practiced real hard for the part. At the end of the scene, I had to throw money in her face. So I tore up little pieces of green paper, stuffed them in my pocket, memorized my lines and went to the audition. I'm giving a great audition, and while I'm doing it, I'm thinking, how can I make this better? I decided that after I threw the money at her, I would spit in her face... well not actually spit but pretend to by making a spitting sound. We got to the end of the scene and I took the green confetti out of my pocket and I threw it in Diane's face. This was in front of the Producer & Director. To put the button on the scene, I go to make a spitting sound, but, unfortunately, I actually spit in her face.

Here is this very gracious woman, who I had been bugging to come in because I really wanted to do the show... and I spit in her face. She said, "You must never, ever spit on the casting director. You may go now."

I walked out of there thinking that I'd never work in this town again. Word will spread. Hegyes is nuts. Two weeks later, I got another call from Diane Dimeo. "They're adding a new character to the show. If you promise not to spit on me, I'll audition you."