SL_Spotlight_Fran_Drescher_0320_Spotlight 3 / 13 / 20 1 : 55 PM Page 1 s S P O T L I G H T It’s a Wonderful Life The inimitable Fran Drescher treasures life’s “ simple pleasures . ” BY DEBRA WALLACE Fran Drescher is a survivor . Perhaps best known for playing Fran Fine in the massively popular ’ 90s sitcom The Nanny , Drescher is back on prime time with Indebted , a new NBC comedy about a middle - class couple , Deb and Stew ( Drescher and Steven Weber of Wings fame ) , whose financial troubles require them to move in with their adult son and his family . Indebted airs Thursdays at 9 : 30 p.m . Drescher is candid about her difficulties and triumphs during her decades - long career as a television actress , writer , and producer . She’s had to endure two divorces , a battle with cancer , and a brutal attack . The 62 - year - old Drescher has gotten to a point in her life where she feels strong , independent , and “ truly happy in my own skin . ” “ Life is a journey of self - refinement , ” she says . “ For the first time , I am really an independent woman and very proud of myself . I learned by having some really terrible things happen that brought me to the depths of despair — that no one leaves this planet unscathed . Instead of saying ‘ Why me ? ’ at some point you have to let go of what you thought was supposed to be and play the hand you’ve been dealt as courageously , and elegantly , as you possibly can . ” She fills her life with “ simple pleasures , ” such meditation , home - cooked meals , and fresh flowers at home . She also treasures having the time to write and traveling to see friends in some of her favorite places , including picturesque Bucks County . We spoke with Drescher about her remarkable career , the importance of having loving relationships , and why people need to take more time to stop and smell the roses . my life a level of purpose and some How are you and your character of the cultural events that value , and helped make sense in Indebted different ? are about being in and around Our outlook on Philadelphia . … I will never go to o finances . I have ut of the senseless . I am proud Q & A your area without stopping in [ to huge respect for money . I came of the important work that we are the Barnes on the Benjamin from humble beginnings , and I doing . But most of all I am proud If you had to downsize like Deb , Franklin Parkway ] . I have several am proud to say that I have of all the close - knit relationships your character on Indebted , how friends who have beautiful earned everything I have . Deb that I have in my life . would you react ? country homes in Bucks County . and Stew live in the moment , and I don’t have a problem with We enjoy the food and all of the they live for the rush of having Do you ever go back and watch having to live smaller . Let’s face it : sights . When you are lucky this stuff , rather than living com - The Nanny ? Just getting older dictates that at enough to travel , you meet pletely within their means , which My parents watch it every day , some point you’re going to want people and become enmeshed would include saving money and but I like to have it on my DVR . to have a much smaller life . in the different cultures , you can investing it . I am not the type of Sometimes I will see an episode appreciate how diverse — and person who defines myself by that I want to re - watch , and I What about living with family l special — our country is in so how much money I can spend or will sit down and laugh out loud , as an adult ? rsa many ways . how I can show off to the world . so that it’s almost a new experi - I love having a family that is nive ence . I don’t have a problem tightly knit , and I wish my parents C / U What are you most proud of ? Tell me about your relationship watching myself . Occasionally , ( Morty and Sylvia ) would move NB Well , The Nanny was the big with the Philadelphia area . I will remember what was going from South Florida to L.A . to of y prize ; that a girl from Queens I received the Liberty Bell award on in my personal life , which live with me . I think at a certain rtes could create that show was the for the work that I do on behalf of might have contrasted with point you’ve got to live near your cou peak . But also turning my pain gay civil liberties in the City of what was going on in my children , if you are lucky enough aph into purpose and founding the Brotherly Love . That was an character’s life . That’s always to have children who want to ogr Cancer Schmancer Movement extremely exciting event . Every interesting to reminisce and see help you live your best life in hot ( cancerschmancer.org ) has given time I am there I try to partake in where I am today . your golden years . ? P SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM MARCH 2020 88 |