DONNA MILLS - Live YOUR DREAMS

The Knots Landing alum talks about her life’s journey and her return to television

- Susan Hornik

Donna Mills doesn’t just wish for things — she makes them happen! “I guess the best thing about being my age is that you know you have a limited amount of time left,” the Knots Landing alum, 82, tells Closer. “You have to really decide what you want to do with it.” When Donna set her sights on a return to acting, she jumped right in. She’s currently playing mysterious Lillian Cutler in the four-part limited series V.C. Andrews’ Dawn, airing on Lifetime. “Once I knew I got this role, I immediately started to read [the books],” says Donna. “The storytelling is so good.”

Is it true that you started out as a dancer?

Yes, I wanted to be a dancer from the time I was 5 years old. I started ballet classes, and I just loved it. I’m the kind of person who enjoys doing something physical — that makes me happier than doing something mental. I was never good at math. I did OK in school, but not great. But anything that I had to do physically, I was always much better at it. Physical stuff just makes me feel better than anything else.

When did you decide to try acting?

I was in Chicago, and there weren’t any dancing jobs to audition for, but there was a play. I had never taken any acting classes, but I auditioned and I got it. It was a comedy, Come Blow Your Horn. On opening night, I heard the laughs and I was like, “Oh yeah, this is fun. I like this!” That’s really when I started to pivot toward acting.

What do you consider your big break?