She also played roles in two of my favorite movies — Love Actually and The Mothman Prophecies. That Mothman shit was pretty freaky, wasn’t it? I had nightmares for weeks and anxiety about bridges for months after seeing that for the first time. Crazy.
Linney recently sat down for an interview with Prevention magazine and discussed everything from aging, to her diet, to recent stints on Broadway:
You starred on Broadway in Time Stands Still [which reopens with Linney on September 23] with famously vegan Alicia Silverstone. Did she help shape your diet?
I love Alicia – she had an enormous influence on me. I burst with pride over her book [The Kind Diet]. And she said, “You don’t have to be one thing or the other, just figure out what’s best for you.” I had been so rigid in my thinking about if I was going to be a vegetarian, if I was going to be a vegan. I don’t have to put that pressure on myself. I”m just trying to learn what the best diet is for me.
What kind of changes have you made?
Well, I certainly feel better now that I’m barely eating meat. I don’t feel as heavy, my digestion is better, my skin is better – even my hair is better! And I feel healthier when I don’t eat dairy, but that’s really hard for me – I love cheese. But food is not just nutritional, it’s mental, so you know, if I need a little chocolate every once in a while, I need a little chocolate.
Actresses usually tell us about their Pilates or yoga workouts, but you’re into gym workouts. Why?
I’ve always been very flexible – I used to dance as a child – but I’ve never been very strong. I wanted my body to work better. Now I work out with a trainer twice a week and go once or twice on my own. She has me doing balance exercises and weight-bearing stuff. It’s strengthening large muscle groups, making sure I balance myself correctly.
Random question time: what’s you’re preferred method of de-stressing?
I’m in love with the steam shower. If I can take a steam for about 20 minutes at my gym, I’m in much better shape.
Hanging out with friends can be relaxing. Describe your best friend.
She’s joyous, curious, very alive. We go to the theater, have dinner, hang out with her kids… and talk and talk…
What’s your advice for staying positive?
Say yes to things that you might not normally say yes to.
Can you give me an example of that?
Meeting my husband [former broker Marc Schauer] 5 years ago was certainly unexpected. I’d always assumed I would be with someone in my business, because who could understand the crazy hours, the demands on our time, the travelling? He wasn’t in the performing arts; normally I would never have given it a chance. But something in side me said, Try something new. If you assume that you know yourself completely, you’ve shut yourself down.
Wise words from an under-estimated, often-overlooked woman. Laura Linney rocks.
“If you assume that you know yourself completely, you’ve shut yourself down.” Perfect.
Love Actually! one of my faves :)