Back to Who's News

Memo to President Bush: Janine Turner would like to be of service to your administration.

At this stage in her life she's interested in more than an actor's life and she is focusing on children. Perhaps that's to be expected. The star of TV's dear departed "Northern Exposure" and Lifetime's current "Strong Medicine" talked with USA WEEKEND from her 300-acre ranch in Texas while her daughter Juliette, 3, napped.

Q: You attended George Bush's inaugural in Washington, D.C. in January. Did you have fun?
A: I loved it! I'm a Texan and I'm a Republican. I met with President Bush when he was governor about children's issues. You reach a point in your career, and this is a rewarding career, I'm hoping that I can be of service.

Q: What in particular are the issues you'd like to work on, and has he signed you up yet?
A: Adequate schools and literacy. I've also been very interested in after-school programs. I met with him when he was governor, I hope to lend my support.

Q: Which balls did you go to?
A: I went to all of them. I took my daughter to the Lincoln Memorial opening celebration. I went to the candlelight dinner, Boots and Black Tie Ball and California ball. I went and bought these gorgeous gowns.

Q: What was the appeal to you of playing Dr. Dana Stowe on "Strong Medicine"?
A: Being that I'm a single mother, it's a women's network, it's a show about women's medicine. They are very conscientious. I get to go home at 6. It was a quality show that I thought could be meaningful in some way. I get to have my baby with me on the set, in a little trailer I did for her.

Q:How old is Juliette now?
A: Three years old. It's a blast! We're out at the ranch. Every day she wants to ride her pony. She's so brave! When the pony came to her birthday party, she named him AB, because she was just learning the alphabet.

Q: How has being a mother changed you as an actress? Are there roles you wouldn't take now?
A: I was always thoughtful in that respect before I had a child. You had to weigh the options. What drives me crazy are these (violent) previews between these shows you see that are designed for families -- I'm throwing my body in front of the TV! I think that television and movies definitely have a huge impact on our children.

Q: Do you keep in touch with the folks from "Northern Exposure"?
A: John Corbett and Barry Corbin and I always send Christmas cards. (I was recently profiled on E!) and Rob Morrow said all these great things about me -- I have a special place in my heart for Rob. It was this very, very special time in my life. Now it's on A&E and people still carry on about "Northern Exposure."

Q: You don't say who your daughter's father is.
A: For the sake of my child, we keep it private. All couples have times when they go their separate ways. Her father is here in Dallas, but we at this point are handling things in our separate ways. There's no man in my life. Everyone's telling me I should get out there and date. Essentially, I'd much rather be with my daughter on a Friday night. It's interesting at this point in my life. I don't know what's to happen with me and her father. It's different dating, it's not about me anymore, it's about what kind of father someone would be.

-- Patty Rhule