Ask American Profile 11/16/2008

Robert Duvall, Kristin Chenoweth, Emily Osment, Marty Haggard

Q Did Robert Duvall ever have a part in a soap opera? I believe as a young man he played the part of Janet Bergman’s husband on the old soap Search for Tomorrow.
—Ann Kurp, Monroeville, Pa.

Search for Tomorrow launched a lot of actors on their way to stardom, including Kevin Bacon, Jill Clayburgh, Hal Linden and Susan Sarandon. But Robert Duvall, now 77, wasn’t one of them. The character of Janet Bergman was married three times on the soap, first to Bud Gardner, played by George Maharis (1960-61); then to Dr. Dan Walton, played by Martin E. Brooks (1960-61), Philip Abbott (1961-63) and Ron Husmann (1971-72); and, finally, to Dr. Wade Collins, played by John Cunningham (1971-77).

Q I heard that actress Kristin Chenoweth is a singer. Has she released any CDs?
—Amy House, Hot Springs, Ark.

If you know Chenoweth only from her TV roles on The West Wing and Pushing Daisies, in the movies Bewitched and RV, or in TV commercials for Old Navy—prepare to be wowed by her singing voice, which has been described as “operatic,” “amazing” and “gorgeous.” Her new CD, A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas, is the third by the Oklahoma-born Chenoweth, 40, who turned down a college vocal scholarship to pursue a career in musical theater in New York. She received rave reviews for her singing roles in the Broadway productions of Wicked, Funny Girl and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and you can see her in the upcoming movie comedy Four Christmases alongside Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn.

Q My daughter loves watching Hannah Montana. What can you tell me about Miley Cyrus’ co-star, Emily Osment? Has she ever been in anything else?
—Viola Vincent, Chico, Calif.

Osment, who’s been a part of Hannah Montana since 2006, is the younger sister of actor Haley Joel Osment. She previously appeared in episodes of several other TV shows, including Touched By An Angel, Third Rock From the Sun and Friends, and made her acting debut in a TV commercial for FTD. “I don’t remember a lot about it,” says Osment, now 16. “I was about 5 or 6, and I think I ran up to my mom and gave her some flowers.” She’ll reprise her Hannah Montana role of Lily Truscott in the upcoming big-screen Hannah Montana movie, and she’s working on a CD that she says will reflect her love of “old rock ’n’ roll—the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix.”

Q Can you tell me anything about Marty Haggard, son of country legend Merle Haggard? Is he still singing?
—Vivian Berry, Sedalia, Mo.

In 1995, in the middle of recording a new album, Marty Haggard decided to follow his heart and leave country music. Today, he writes, performs and records Christian music from his home base in Doyline, La., near Shreveport. Haggard, 50, and wife Tessa have a young son. He also has two older daughters and two granddaughters.

Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos

Every week, American Profile magazine brings you stories that celebrate the people and places that make America great. Now we want to hear your stories and see your photos, videos and even audio.

 Start Uploading Now!

 

Discuss this Article