A Conversation with Nancy Travis

July 13, 11:19 AMEntertainment ExaminerMike Parker

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The Bill Engvall Show's Nancy Travis.
Photo courtesy TBS.

Nancy Travis made her feature film debut in the blockbuster comedy Three Men and a Baby with Ted Danson and Tom Selleck and went on to star in such box office successes as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Air America, Three Men and a Little Lady, and So I Married an Axe Murderer. A New York native, Nancy grew up in Baltimore and Boston but returned to her roots to study drama at New York University. Soon after, she joined the national touring company of Neil Simon’s hit play, Brighton Beach Memoirs. Nancy joins Bill Engvall and Tim Meadows for the third Season of The Bill Engvall Show on Saturday, July 18, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on TBS.

Mike Parker – You play Susan Pearson on the hit sitcom, “The Bill Engvall Show.” What attracted you to that role?

Nancy Travis – There were a couple of things. I met Bill and we hit it off; I thought it would be fun to work with him. I liked the idea of being in a family sitcom on television, I just thought there was a need for that kind of show. I also think that is the most complex and intricately layered type of show to act in.

Parker – Susan is a solidifying force in the Pearson family; even-keeled, wise but not condescending, and a little sexy when appropriate. How much of you is Susan?

Nancy – I play her, so a large part of me is Susan. Susan is a little more organized, a little more patient than I am. I think I am more driven than Susan. She is content to give everything up for family, and I don’t think I could do that. I think there is a lot to admire in Susan.

Parker – Bill Engvall is a very funny guy. Do you have a hard time keeping a straight face on the set?

Nancy – I do. There is the Bill Engvall who plays the father on the show and there is the Bill who walks onto the set telling a blue joke that cracks everyone up and then we have to regain control when the kids come on the set. He does make me laugh. He is like working with a big teddy bear.

Parker – I understand you studied drama at New York University. What originally sparked your interest in acting?

Nancy – I’ve always been a performer of sorts. I don’t think there was a bolt of lighting moment for me. I performed in school plays, did community theatre and when it was time to go to college I thought I would give it a try it. I started doing commercials and theatre rolls came along. One thing led to another, but it wasn’t without a lot of pounding the pavement.

Parker – Stage acting appears to have been your first love, yet you’ve done an awful lot of screen and television work. Which medium provides you with the most satisfaction?

Nancy – They all do. I love acting in any form. I love being on stage, although I don’t get to do it as often as I would like. Stage acting is a lot like going back to school because there is so much work involved to prepare for it.

Parker – Tell me about Naked Angels.

Nancy – Naked Angels was a theatre company we formed in the 1980s to perform off-Broadway shows. I’m still an auxiliary member and the company is still producing shows. It was started by a bunch of us who were NYU grads; we were full of creative possibilities but no opportunities. It was very much a matter of, ‘Let’s find a barn and put on a show!’

The Seven Questions

1. What’s your favorite sound?
Nancy – Children’s laughter.

2. What makes you happy?
Nancy – Waking up. I’m basically a pretty happy person.

3. What makes you angry?
Nancy – Dishonesty.

4. What is the secret of success?
Nancy – A good self image and ambition.

5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Nancy – (Pulitzer Prize winning author) Edith Wharton.

6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Nancy – “She lived and died.” Or it would be blank.

7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Nancy – “Go back down. I’m not ready for you, yet.”