CNN.com - Entertainment - Jennifer Crystal Foley: 'Mrs. Roger Maris' & more

Showbiz Today Star of Tomorrow

Jennifer Crystal Foley was directed by her father, Billy Crystal, in HBO's "61*." "I have to say it was the most fun I have ever had on a project," she says

By Lori Blackman
Showbiz Today Reports

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Jennifer Crystal Foley has a dual TV personality this month.

She is a hip working woman on "Once and Again," and a stay-at-home mom in HBO's "61*," in which she plays the wife to New York Yankee Roger Maris in the true tale of Maris' and teammate Mickey Mantle's attempts to break Babe Ruth's single-season homerun record.

Foley, 28, is a combination of both characters in real life -- she is a hip working woman and a newly minted wife, recently married to her college boyfriend, Michael Foley.

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She is also no stranger to show business. Her father is Billy Crystal.

CNN recently spoke with Foley about her real life and on-screen existence. During the interview, she made a little noise over her second career.

CNN: Did you know anything about the Roger Maris story going into this? Your father, who directed this, is a big fan of the Yankees.

Jennifer Crystal Foley: Well, there is baseball paraphernalia all over my house, so I was always aware of the players' names and especially Mickey Mantle's. But in terms of the race for this record? I had no idea. Then I read the script and I just was riveted by it.

CNN: What was it like for you to actually meet Pat Maris -- Mrs. Roger Maris?

Foley: It was incredible to be a part of it. It was a screening at the White House. ...Pat was such a nice woman -- she is so respectful and supportive of this project, which just meant everything. Because when you are portraying a character who really exists -- especially this one -- all you want to do is treat them with respect.

CNN: What was it like to have your father as director?

Foley: I have to say it was the most fun I have ever had on a project, and for years and years I couldn't wait for this to happen -- for him to direct me in something.

CNN: Were you nervous going in to audition?

Foley plays New York Yankee Roger Maris' wife in "61*," the true tale of Maris' and teammate Mickey Mantle's attempts to break Babe Ruth's single-season homerun record

Foley: Oh yeah, I almost didn't go. I said (to Crystal), "I don't know if I can go in there for this, because the idea of having you think to yourself, 'Oh God, how do I tell her this isn't right for her?' is more painful than me just not getting the part. I'd almost rather just skip the process."

And he said, "Well, I am just hoping that I am going to sit there thinking that you are the part, but you have to earn it like everybody else. And I think you're going to do a great job."

CNN: Was it inevitable that you, raised in such a household, would want to be an actress?

Foley: (Y)ou can't help but feel the creative spirit. ... I think that was definitely passed down.

CNN: CNN: In "Once and Again," you are a young, powerful woman named Christy Parker. She's quite a departure from the character you play on "61*."

Foley: When I got the audition, I looked at (the role) and went, "Oh this could be right for me." ... I went in and I got it, and next thing I knew, they made me a regular in the show. She is very acerbic and tough, but the most important part of the character that I have tried to find is the likeability in a character that you would love to hate.

CNN: Do you love to hate her?

Foley: I love to play her. I think that is the human part of the show -- that the characters are not completely likeable -- and especially because it deals with divorce, and kids dealing with divorce, and it touches on all of these different things. I love being a part of that kind of show, and I think that is why people keep watching: They love that part because it reminds them of themselves.

In "Once and Again," Foley plays Sela Ward's hip young boss

Christy is obviously contemporary and trendy and just very different from Pat. Pat Maris was a mother ... and Christy Parker can't get more than two dates at a time.

CNN: Since you brought up the topic: You recently get married, hence the "Foley" surname.

Foley: Yes, in September of 2000. We've been together a very long time -- about eight years. We lived together for -- don't tell my parents! -- for two years before we got married, and I think that was what ironed out the wrinkles. ... Married life has been great.

CNN: You do voice-over work quite often.

Foley: It's sort of my secret little job. ... For example, "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" is a show that I've been known to do -- working on any of the vampire noises or the fight scenes with the vampires, sounds in the school (and so on).

CNN: So you moonlight as a noisemaker, basically.

Foley: I sure do, and I have so much fun, too. I can wear sweatpants, a ponytail, it doesn't matter what I look like. And I get to play all day long and do voices.

CNN: You're still young. What would you like to do with you career?

Foley: There are a few things up in the air. And hopefully, "Once and Again" will come back next year, because I don't want to say good-bye to that character yet.

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