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Brynn Thayer: Is She Just Kathy's Clone?
Rona Barrett's Daytimers, February 1979.

The executive powers were taking no chances during the contract "negotiations" with Kathy Glass, One Life To Live's former "Jenny Vernon". Auditioned, and waiting in the wings - totally oblivious to backstage politics - actress nouveau, Brynn Thayer was being readied for her daytime debut * really her very first TV role in anything other than commercials.

The resemblance between Brynn and Kathy is startling to some. As a matter of fact, some viewers thought that Kathy had simply undergone some new make-up change, rearranged a bit of her weight, or "something". In fact, Brynn's close look-alikeness to Kathy helped her become the prime choice for the role. All the studio had to do was cut her hair in the Kathy Glass style, and Brynn could almost pass for a clone!

Well, physically, anyway. While both ladies are interesting, each has a distinct personality of her own. Of course, Kathy has a great fan following, which might make the odds against Brynn's acceptability to the audience a little rougher. But, given just a little time, viewers will no doubt love Brynn just as much as they did Kathy. Afterall, even though she looks incredibly like Kathy, Brynn is perhaps closer to "Jenny's" character personality both on and off screen!

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 4th, Brynn is an only child. "My parents are not professional people, but are absolutely incredible! I'm very close to both my mother and father. They have an unbelievable marriage," she's proud to tell. "My mom is a super wife, and mom. She has no career outside the home although she does a lot of charity things for the community. My dad has been with the same company for many years, and he has been promoted through the ranks, so to speak. We lived for one year in Washington D.C., and then moved back to Dallas."

Brynn had never planned on becoming an actress. When she went to college the only audience she ever expected to entertain was a classroom full of youngsters! "I went to the University of Arkansas for four years where I studied elementary education. I did my practice teaching in first grade," Brynn explained. "I got married during college, but we had no children. My husband and I moved to Washington D.C., where we lived for a year. He was with the FBI. The marriage just didn't work out. We were together for about a year and a half before we got a divorce."

Was your husband a real, carry-a-gun FBI man?

"At the time no. He hadn't an accounting, or a law degree. In order to be an agent, you had to have one of those. To compensate, a person has to be a bureau clerk. After that, the person can get into the training. When the marriage didn't work out, I went back to Dallas. I taught school there for two years."

"That was enough," Brynn laughed. "I was ready for a change, so I moved to New York with a girl friend with whom I had grown up. Then, I went with a model agency, although really didn't know what I was doing. I was just kind of fooling around - escaping. My girl friend was into modeling, so I thought that maybe I too could make a buck, which proved to be wrong! My savings account had dwindled, and I was ready to do something else, like just about any regular nine-to-five job!"

"But, I did one print job for a coffee ad. The same agency was also shooting a related coffee commercial, and they noticed me, and said, I might be just right for the particular spot. I said, I couldn't! I couldn't talk! But they insisted I try it, and I did get the commercial.

"The agency was terrific, and they sent me a couple of agents. So, I kind of got in the back door that way with agents. I started doing house-wifey, all-American types. At the same time I took some voice lessons because my accent was their only complaint. It still comes back every once in awhile!"

"I've really been so lucky! My agent finally said she thought I was ready for some acting lessons, and later suggested I take a course specially geared to acting on the soaps. It really helped that Peter Minor taught the class. Then I met a couple of people at One Life To Live, and All My Children, and that was only about six months ago."

How soon before you actually did your first "One Life" taping did you know that you were going to have the role?

"I was shooting a commercial," Brynn recalled, "when my agent called and said that they were casting for 'Jenny'. She said go over - it was on a Monday - to pick up the script. I read on Thursday; taping was the following Monday, and they told me I had the role the following Thursday. It all happened fast in a two week period.

"I went crazy that weekend! It's been just wonderful! Everyone is, and I love it! My life has changed so drastically, and so quickly!" Brynn enthused, still not quite sure this is all really happening.

How were you able to cope with the heavy new schedule?

"The first week, I was on everyday," Brynn smiled through a mild groan. "They charged me right in there! I'm glad that happened that way. Everyone knew that I wanted, and needed, help. Everyone that I had a scene with, was always just right there. It just made it that much easier. I really appreciate their help and kindness.

What was the first thing that you did when you found out you had gotten the role?

"I just started crying! And then, I guess, I called my mom first. She wasn't home so I called my dad at the office, and I think my dad is more excited than I was! He went crazy! He has gotten a Betamax now to tape all my performances!"

After one marital mishap, would pretty, and certainly desirable, Brynn take a chance again?

"I certainly haven't forgotten about it!" Brynn confessed. "I would love to have the companionship, but I am so into my work right now, and so happy with it, that for the time being I'm not really serious about anyone. I have a couple of people that I see. There isn't anything that is really heavy duty. I haven't been really serious about anyone in a long time."

But Brynn certainly is serious about her work. And while many Kathy Glass fans will sorely miss the original "Jenny Vernon", Brynn's warm manner and winning smile is bound to convince them there's room in their hearts for her too! *

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Memories of David and Jenny