Christa Miller - Drew Carey's "one-of-the-guys" pal on the hit ABC TV series, "The Drew Carey Show" - could very well be the everyman's, everygal. The actress is an engaging mix of approachability, humor, smarts, athleticism and girl-next-door sexiness. just 32, the Manhattan born and bred Miller has already led a full life. Her mom, Bonnie Trompeter, was a 1960s supermodel, and Miller herself starred in a Wonder Bread commercial at six months and graced the cover of Seventeen at 15. Guest spots on such TV shows as "Kate & Allie" followed, as did acting lessons and a move to Los Angeles, which in turn led to appearances on "Northern Exposure," "Party of Five," "Seinfeld" and, of course, "The Drew Carey Show." Now, between bites of an English muffin - "Sorry if I chew in your face," she says in genuinely apologetic tones, "but I'll die if I don't eat something." - the amiable Miller chats about life at the top.
Did you ever expect "The Drew Carey Show" to be a hit?
To be honest, I thought it would be a hit. During pilot season you can read something like 50 scripts. When I read the Drew Carey script, it was near the end of pilot season and it definitely was one of the best ones I read. I knew for sure after meeting Drew that we had a hit on our hands. He's such a good guy, so likable and funny. We have a lot of fun doing the show and I think people can see that. I can't tell you how pleased I am to be in an environment that's so special.
If Kate were a real person, do you think the two of you could be friends?
I don't know. Kate's a little bit bossy and she hits people all the time. She seems to be more friendly with guys, too, so I don't know if she'd even want to be friends with me!
Here comes the big, deep question: Can men and women REALLY be just friends?
I have a lot of guy friends. I think it can be done, yeah.
A few years down the line, when the last episode of "The Drew Carey Show" airs, would you like to see Kate and Drew together?
Do you mean romantically?
Romantically.
Kate and Drew love each other a lot, but on what level, I don't know. I have male friends who have been in my life for years and years and years, and they'll always be just friends. I'd hate to lose them as friends. I really do believe that men and women can be friends, but I don't know if you can go from friends to lovers. And, if you do that, there's no going back. Romance can ruin a friendship and I don't want that to happen to Drew and Kate.
What do you remember of your modeling days?
My mom never wanted me to model, so she only let me do a few special jobs when I was a girl. I did an Ivory Soap ad that (legendary photographer Francesco) Scavullo shot. I did a cover for Redbook and that Wonder Bread commercial. I did a lot of stuff with my mom. The job I really remember, though, was a Bonnie Belle Lipsmackers job I did. I was about nine years-old and Lipsmackers were the coolest thing ever. They gave me this huge basket full of every flavor. Lipsmackers were big lip glosses girls wore like a necklace. They were really popular.
Do you dread the possibility of Dick Clark showing the world your Wonder Bread spot on one of his TV specials?
I was only six months old when I did that, so I don't think I'd mind seeing that. I probably will dread the day Dick decides to show the first commercial I got after an audition. I was about 17, 1 guess. It was a Polaroid commercial. I had to sit and make all these different expressions as I looked at like 5,000 Polaroid pictures. I thought I was going to die because you do run out of expressions in about six seconds, especially when you're 17 and it's your first real commercial. That's the one that will make me die of mortification.
What do you see as the next step in your career?
Film would be the next thing. I've done a couple of independent features (Love and Happiness, Kiss & Tell), but I don't know if or when they'll be released. I'd also love to do a play. I tend to be a workaholic. Right now, though, I'm trying to enjoy my time off. That's the good thing about working on a great show. I can say I'm not going to do something if I don't think it will be great. That's a nice place to be.
What's life like for you away from the set of "The Drew Carey Show?"
I hang out with my boyfriend (former "Murphy Brown" star Grant Shand). I get back to New York City as much as I can because I'm from Manhattan. I'm really kind of mellow, very mellow. I go for dinners and to the movies. I play paddle tennis and I walk my dog (a Shetland sheepdog). My boyfriend and 1 go shoot hoops when we can. I'm really very boring.
Let's end with this question: What's your greatest hidden talent?
I have a couple of hidden talents (laughs). I can throw a great spiral with a football and I can also get ready to go out very, very fast.
Just how fast are we talking here?
I can shower, get ready and go out with makeup in a half-hour and look fine. How's THAT for a hidden talent?!
Miller Time