"You're not just desperate because the part is perfect for you," Ms. Lake said.

Ms. Lake, however, is committed to sticking with her acting, too.

Ms. Lake said the plan would create 195,000 car trips, well above the stated limit.

Ms. Lake plans to take six weeks off from her show.

"Now it is like, oh yeah, the guys can step in from the highest level," Ms. Lake said.

Ms. Lake sent an e-mail message to friends about how close she had come to poverty.

Eventually, she and her son came to an understanding, Ms. Lake said.

Ms. Lake does not mind discussing the weight, but that's not why she came to dinner.

Ms. Lake, to her own surprise, wound up getting cast.

And the awareness of these distinctions is increasing, Ms. Lake said.