I'm in My Happy Place'

WITH A HIT PODCAST, LOVING FAMILY AND THRIVING MOVIE CAREER-SHE CAN PLAY A FRETFUL NEW YORKER AND A MARVEL VILLAIN WITH EQUAL APLOMB THE ACTRESS IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE 

- CLARISSA CRUZ

Her smooth, graceful movements perfectly match the song’s funky beat. It’s a far cry from the gleefully jerky dance (or, as George Costanza described it, the “full-body dry heave set to music”) she famously performed as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld nearly 27 years ago. But one thing the two scenes have in common: the absolute joy and confidence radiating from the woman dancing.

“This is a groovy time of life,” Louis-Dreyfus, 62, says during a break from her People photo shoot on a sunny Los Angeles day in April. “Because there’s lots of adventure still to be had—and I’m really going for it.” Nominated for 26 Emmys (she’s won 11), and having starred in what many consider to be two of the best TV comedies of all time, Seinfeld and Veep, the actress still feels compelled to conquer more. No one would blame her for resting on her comedic laurels, perfecting chef Thomas Keller’s roast chicken recipe (her favorite!), hiking the Dolomite trails in Italy (which she did last summer) and hanging with her family; she’s been married to actor producer Brad Hall, 65, for 36 years this month, and they have two children, actor- musician Henry, 30, and actor Charlie, 26.