One of "Charlie's Angels" has become a senior citizen.
Cheryl Ladd said she welcomed the challenge and couldn't resist a story she found moving. She ages (in flashbacks) from 45 to 75 as Elizabeth Leroy Bishop in the Hallmark Channel movie "Though None Go With Me."
"It has a feeling of 'It's A Wonderful Life,' " said Ladd, 55. "She doesn't have a clue how many people's lives she has affected and helped to change."
The movie debuts at 9 tonight.
Ladd said she was impressed with the makeup artist's work ("People won't recognize me right way"), and she made sure her posture matched the physical transformation.
"Most older people have a little bit of arthritis. They don't stand as straight," Ladd said.
Amy Grabow plays Elizabeth in her younger days.
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In addition to the movie, Ladd has a recurring role as Big Ed Deline's wife, Jillian, on the NBC series "Las Vegas." James Caan plays Big Ed.
To play Jillian, Ladd said, she relies on the experiences of her 25-year marriage to Brian Russell. Her long marriage to Big Ed has made Jillian the one person who can confidently stand up to him.
Ladd said the secret to her real-life long marriage is "patience and love."
She isn't as sure how she maintained her success in her career. Hollywood doesn't give a lot of roles to women older than 40, but Ladd has kept working.
"Being a star and a celebrity is a lovely thing, but it's not why I became an actress," Ladd said. "I love the craft. I haven't lost the joy of the craft."
Her career began when she provided a singing voice for the 1970 cartoon "Josie & the Pussycats." Live-action guest-starring roles followed, including that of Cindy Shea on a 1974 "Happy Days" episode.
"It was fun. I made people laugh," Ladd recalled.
She replaced original star Farrah Fawcett (then Farrah Fawcett-Majors) on "Charlie's Angels."
Would she and the other "Angels" consider a reunion movie?
"Orthopedic Angels?" she joked.
Then she paused.
"I've learned at my age to never say never."
On TV
"Though None Go With Me" airs at 9 tonight on the Hallmark Channel.
