Poll any boy from 25-32 and in all likelihood she was his first crush.
Daniela McKellar, beloved as The Wonder Years’ wide-eyed temptress/embodiment of innocence Winnie Cooper, has made her way into NBC’s acclaimed The West Wing as a White House aide. When out of office, though, she enjoys her time with her rescued tabby, Tallulah.
Statistically, Danica McKellar is an anomaly. The successful actress has received accolades for her directing, producing, writing and even in mathematics. Yes, on top of all that creative right-brained stuff, Danica also flawlessly engages her left side skill set – having co-authored a research paper that resulted in the Chayes-McKellar-Winn theorem. How many child star can boast that? One thing she cannot quantify, though, is her love for her energetic feline Tallulah who keeps her on her toes at home.
Named after a wild and beautiful actress Tallulah Bankhead, this frisky feline fits the bill. Always commanding attention, Danica says the playful cat, “knocks over vases of flowers and misjudges distance when she jumps. She doesn’t have the delicate touch.” An understanding mom, Danica doesn’t anger at her foibles. “Those things happen when you live with a cat – any animal. But you have to remember, it is not only your own space – you’ve got a little partner.”
Danica is used to having a ‘little partner’ around. When she grew up, the family car’s license plate boasted ‘6 PURRS’ in honor of the multiple furry friends at home. “Actually at one point we had 12 cats after one of them had babies,” Danica reflects. “My mom had scheduled an appointment to get the cats fixed, but one cat, her name was Gracey, got pregnant faster than she could schedule it!”
You won’t see Tallulah on set with Danica, who doesn’t think she’d enjoy it too much. “Cats need to be in little kingdom of their own. They need to feel like they’re ruling. I know Tallulah believes that she rules my place, and that’s fine.” The actress has had experience working with an animal recently on The West Wing – a goat. “He got a little confused because he had done a couple of takes, he thought he was done. He had those oats he was eating but got full. Goats are not like dogs – they don’t follow commands, but this one was great!” Danica says she’s proud to be acting on The West Wing, pointing out, “it is so intelligent and depicts women in such a positive light.”
In addition to her mainstream projects, Danica has also found success writing, directing, and producing her own films. Speechless, her first film, won her “Best First Time Director” award at the Hollywood Underground Film Festival. Danica’s goal? Merely “to be able to do it all.” Well, she seems to be right on track. And with all of her lofty aspirations, she is lucky to have her rescued cat Tallulah to keep her grounded.
By Jennifer Cattaui.
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