It was a pleasure for me to interview one of my favorite actresses from GUIDING LIGHT, Mary Kay Adams. Mary Kay took me to lunch at a restaurant just around the corner from the studio where she said many GL cast members often go after a long, hard day at work. Evidently she was right, as we walked in and met Kassie Wesley having lunch with a friend. We sat at our table, talked for a while and then started the interview.

Mary Kay Adams was born on September 12 and grew up in Middletown, New Jersey. An extremely bright student, Mary Kay did so well in school that she skipped a grade. She was also a very ambitious teenager, as she was involved in theater throughout high school and was president of just about everything. Mary Kay always wanted to be an actress and is the only actress in her family. Her parents are extremely happy about her success and couldn't be prouder. They faithfully watch their daughter everyday and save almost every episode on tape.

Mary Kay started GL in late August of 1984 and India von Halkein took Springfield by storm. India was originally supposed to be Beth's cousin, but the part was changed for Mary Kay. She has enjoyed playing India, especially when she was first on the show. Naturally, there were a few similarities between Mary Kay and India, such as their determination. Mary Kay also loves as much as India does, but stresses that she would never hurt anyone because of her determination to get what she wants out of life. She loved playing India's type of character and says that she would not play a goody-goody "for all the tea in China."

Mary Kay has established many wonderful friendships with the cast and staff of GL since she has been there. "Kristi Ferrell is my best girlfriend," says Mary Kay, "and there are only a few people in the world I love more than Warren Burton."

About Beverlee McKinsey, she said, "Beverlee is a woman whom I admire and respect a great deal." Working with Chris Bernau is a joy to Mary Kay, and of course, last, but not least, is Kimi Parks, whom she says means a lot to her. She also said that she enjoyed working with Grant Aleksander, but at the same time missed John Bolger very much.

Mary Kay loves to read her fan mail and meets many of her fans, especially because she is recognized almost everywhere she goes. She enjoys fan club gatherings very much, and "as the hostess last year she had to solo it at the last minute. (She says she still teases John Bolger about it-- he was supposed to co-host it with her.) All in all, Mary Kay did a spectacular job.

Mary Kay has learned a great deal from her co-workers on GUIDING LIGHT. She has enjoyed working with Warren Burton, Beverlee McKinsey, Chris Bernau, Kimi Parks and Leslie Denniston very much.

Mary Kay's true love is the theater. She says that she would like to die onstage-that's where her heart and soul is. The other love in Mary Kay I s life is her boyfriend, John, whom she met through mutual friends about three and a half years ago. He had come to see her in a play she was in and a few weeks later she made him dinner and it has been love ever since!

Mary Kay loves living in New York City and likes to spend most of her free time just hanging out, going to dinner or a movie, and going to Shea Stadium as often as she can to see her favorite team, the World Champion Mets!

Mary Kay's time on GUIDING LIGHT is coming to an end, and although she will miss many of the people she has worked with, she is eager to move on. The very first thing she wants to do is a play, and then she plans to conquer the world!... What enthusiasm!

Mary Kay Adams is someone I have admired very much, not only because of the superb talent she displays as an actress, but also because of her down to earth personality and sense of humor. Her performances were especially unique, and Springfield will not be the same without India. Mary Kay is irreplaceable.

Regarding the fans, Mary Kay wants to thank everyone for making her stay so much fun, and she would like to them to be happy forever. She will carry around many fond memories with her and always says to the viewers, "If I ever come back to GUIDING LIGHT, it will be with a lot of gusto!"