With more than 43 television shows and 17 films on her resume, you have most likely seen Marilu Henner do what she does best: Act. If you were watching TV in the late 70s and early 80s, it would have been easy to spot her in her costarring role as Elaine O’Connor-Nardo on ABC’s hit sitcom, Taxi. For five years, Henner charmed her audience with her acting skills, beauty and superb comic timing. She has worked with some of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars including John Travolta, Francis Ford Coppola, Jeff Goldblum and Steve Martin. Most recently, Henner has been seen on Two and a Half Men and The Glades.
Our publisher, Dan Copeland, had the pleasure of interviewing Henner in anticipation of her keynote presentation at Tapestry: A Day for You. Henner has a “gift,” as she calls it, known as hyperthymesia, which allows her to recall specific details of her everyday life all the way back to early childhood.
Copeland: Where were you on Oct. 8, 1988 at 8 p.m.?
Henner: (after a brief pause) I was on the Orient Express traveling from Venice to Paris. We were having a wonderful time. I was wearing a black dress with a blue top.
Copeland: You could have told me anything and I would have believed you. Of all the TV shows you have been a part of, which one gives you the greatest joy? Why?
Henner:Taxi! I loved Taxi. It was a huge break and my first experience in television.
Copeland: Have you passed up any roles that, afterwords, you wished you had taken?
Henner: Actually, I probably took some that I shouldn’t have. But the one opportunity I regret passing up is Saturday Night Live. I was told not to do it and, regretfully, I didn’t. I’m still kicking myself.
Copeland: Who is the smartest TV person you have ever worked with?
Henner: James L. Brooks. He is intelligent, creative and a good guy. Among other great projects, he created the Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Simpsons, Terms of Endearment and co-created Taxi. He’s a wonderful man and we are still friends.
Copeland: Do you have a favorite memory from your Taxi experience?
Henner: Dec. 21, 1979, the final show before Christmas, Shut it Down Parts 1 & 2. The cabbies went on strike and I had to go on a date with Louie. You can probably find it on YouTube.
Copeland: What else are you good at?
Henner: I have a syndicated radio talk show. We’re on 22 stations. We talk about everything except religion and politics. I’ve written nine books. I’m the queen of organization and a great motivator. I teach people how to remember. And I read complicated medical journals. I’m also a good faker; that comes in handy in the acting business.
Copeland: Has your lifestyle had a positive impact on your own health?
Henner: I changed my eating habits and my attitude and lost 54 pounds. My parents died at young ages and I didn’t want that to happen to me. So, yes, I am a much healthier person than I could have been.
Copeland: Can you offer three tips for women to help them improve their health?
Henner: 1) Break a sweat for at least 10 minutes every day. In other words, get moving! 2) Fall in love with your stress or it will kill you. 3) Learn to love the food that loves you. Create balance in your life.
Copeland: Do you ever stop to consider the blessings of your success?
Henner: I am grateful everyday. I have lived longer than my parents did by changing my life. I am resilient.
Copeland: Do you ever go back to your old neighborhood where you grew up in Chicago?
Henner: Yes, I was there a couple of years ago. The old house is gone and there are condos in its place. But, our parish is there.
Copeland: What is your favorite vacation spot, snack, car, sport to watch and sport to play?
Henner: My favorite vacation is a ski vacation. Raw nuts are my favorite snack. I drive a BMW 530i and love watching my son play lacrosse.
Copeland: Why is Tapestry: A Day For You important?
Henner: women benefit through the networking, connecting and sharing that are offered at Tapestry. Women are strong and it's time for us to accept compliments and stop being critical of ourselves.
