More times than not, actors are the polar opposites of the characters they play. Tamara Braun is no exception. Having played complex anti-heroine Carly Corinthos on General Hospital for four years (2001-2005), Braun is now seducing millions of viewers as the gun-toting whack job Ava Vitali on Days of Our Lives. Thankfully, Braun doesn’t mind being typecast as the deranged bitch with a killer wardrobe. Odd considering she could teach her alter egos a thing or two about embracing one’s inner chi. The Evanston, Ill., native was a psychology major at the University of Wisconsin at Madison before studying all things Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in England.
And don’t knock Braun or her acting. Last week, I heralded Braun’s deliciously campy performance on Days in The Nelson Ratings, but was soon reamed a new one by the star for citing her Daytime Emmy-nominated role as Carly as “one dimensional.”
Below is our lively chat, including Braun’s payback.
TVGuide.ca: How is life in Salem?
Tamara Braun: I’m enjoying it! Everyone’s so nice over there. It’s great to go into work and enjoy the people I act with.
TVG: You left General Hospital in 2005; what made you come back to daytime TV? At first Days seemed like an odd choice, and it coincided with Sarah Brown’s (Claudia; ex-Carly) comeback.
TB: I have a bone to pick with you to start. Are you ready?
TVG: Take your best shot! I know where this is going…
TB: You called my Carly one-dimensional!
TVG: Yep, I did.
TB: Baby, you can call me a lot of things but I’ve never been one-dimensional in my life! Or, as a character. Though I’m glad you got your reception on your television working now!
TVG: Enough of this treacle — let’s get back to business! [laughs] Your chocolate eyes have seduced me into submission.
TB: Thank you. I put those contacts in and put a Hershey kiss on top.
TVG: In between your GH and Days gigs you landed a couple of indie films — why come back to soaps?
TB: Funnily enough, one of my films, Little Chenier, opened on my first day here. I also did another film called Limbo Lounge, along with a few guest spots on Freddie and some other prime-time shows. What made me come back? I was very intrigued by Ava. And the opportunity to work with [Days’ co-executive producer] Ed Scott. The role sounded like something I could sink my teeth into.
TVG: You also worked with your co-stars Stephen Nichols (Steve; ex-Stefan, GH) and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla; ex-Katherine, GH) on GH. Did you check in with GH to let them know you were coming back to soaps?
TB: No, I didn’t.
TVG: Do you keep in touch with anyone from GH?
TB: I do. Alicia Leigh Willis [ex-Courtney], Rick Hearst [Ric], Ted King [Alcazar] and Cindy Preston [ex-Faith], who is from Toronto, I believe. Do you know her?
TVG: No, I’ve never met her.
TB: Yeah, I was able to make a lot of dear friends that I’ll have in my life.
TVG: Your gal pal, Alicia is literally kicking butt on The L Word!
TB: Isn’t she phenomenal?
TVG: I didn’t know she could wrestle!
TB: And in oil!
TVG: Did you watch Days before?
TB: No, I wasn’t familiar with the show, so I’m taking my Days 101 course now.
TVG: Days just cast Ava’s father, Martino Vitali with prime-time vet, Joe Penny. Do you know anything more than we do about Ava? Have you created a back story for her?
TB: I always create a back story for every character I play. Generally, I like to keep that to myself – especially on a soap – because they’ll write what they want to write and sometimes it doesn’t always mesh with what’s in my head. And to share that would be a disservice to the audience. In a film or in a play with a beginning, middle and end, it’s safer as an actor to share your views on the character because it’s already on the page.
TVG: A common thread I find when I speak to great actors is that they have a passion for psychology — and you have a degree in that subject.
TB: If you’re curious about the human condition and the psychology of people as three-dimensional beings… [laughs]
TVG: [laughs] I’m not going to live this down, am I?
TB: You won’t. [laughs]
TVG: This week, Ava shoots Hope — are you worried Days will have trouble redeeming the character? Or are those pills she takes a clue to unlocking Ava’s reasons for being psycho? I wish I had a prescription myself!
TB: I know, right! You know, the soap world has a way of redeeming all kinds of characters. That’s the beauty of soaps.
TVG: You signed a short-term contract with Days — can we expect you to re-sign?
TB: I’m taking it one day at a time. That’s neither here nor there for me at this point.
TVG: Your arrival also coincided with a new era at Days. How is the mood on the set. From my couch, it looks like everyone’s having a great time!
TB: That’s great to know. I have nothing to compare to it, because as I said I didn’t watch Days before. Ed Scott’s been fantastic — and he really cares about the show, cast and crew. That always makes for a healthy working environment.
TVG: Are you worried about the future of daytime?
TB: People have been worried about the future of soaps since they started. Everyone says it’s a dying breed, but this genre has stood the test of time. I also don’t think anyone should panic at this point. Just tune in and support your shows. Soaps moving to the Internet isn’t the end of the world because that’s the future of TV; not just daytime.
TVG: How’s it working with Stephen Nichols? Ava hasn’t really interacted with anyone else on the Salem canvas.
TB: I laugh so much with him! He’s a really, really nice guy. I think Ava will meet new people in Salem — if she can get out of that damn room! [laughs] If she can find that key, she may interact with others. Ava’s going stir crazy.
TVG: All the Carlys are back on TV. Is there a kinship amongst you gals having played this iconic role on GH?
TB: We definitely have something in common — we have all played a wonderful character.
TVG: Were you shocked that Sarah Brown returned to GH, not as Carly but as a new character?
TB: It was a bold move, that’s for sure. Really bold.
TVG: If you leave Days, it’d be great if we could have all three Carlys in Port Chuck!
TB: [laughs] What do you think that would be like? Wouldn’t it be interesting if we all turned out to be the same person? Somehow Carly fragmented into three beings!
TVG: As long as GH doesn’t make you all share a dressing room!
TB: You’d love a catfight, wouldn’t you! [laughs]
TVG: Only if it’s one-dimensional! But no, generally I’m not a fan of intelligent women in catfights. But I was referring to budget issues —paying all of you would most certainly break GH’s bank. So, is there anyone special in your life?
TB: I will say I’m happily in love with my new puppy, Barley. He’s the love of my life. She’s a miniature dachshund and all black. And I’m allergic to dogs, but so far it’s working out. Though I still get hives, I haven’t gotten wheezy in a while, so that’s good. So far, I’ve acclimated to her.
TVG: And I’ve acclimated to your three-dimensional brilliance! Thank you for speaking to little ol’ moi! And continued success!
Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.
