Five Questions With Sarah Brown

By CAROL DEEGAN, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Sarah Brown of ABC's "General Hospital" let out a scream of delight when she named outstanding supporting actress at the 27th annual Daytime Emmy Awards. It was her fourth nomination and third Daytime Emmy.

"Ah! Can I scream? Is that OK?" Brown exclaimed as she stepped to the podium at Radio City Music Hall.

Brown, 25, has played Carly Benson-Quartermaine on "General Hospital" since April 1996. She won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding younger actress in 1997 and 1998, but lost to Heather Tom of "The Young and the Restless" last year.

Was she nervous?

"I was more nervous this year and last year than I was the first two years, 'cause the first two years, I never expected to win in a million years," Brown said.

"Then when you win two Emmys, you have to live up to something. If you lose two years in a row after winning two years in a row, they go, `Oh, she's going downhill, her career's in the Dumpster. She's over.' So, I'm really nervous, my feet are shaking."

Brown was named favorite actress at this year's Soap Opera Digest Awards. She won outstanding younger actress in 1998.

The following are her responses to some of the questions that were posed by the media backstage at the Daytime Emmys.

1. Who designed your dress?

Brown: I can't tell you that. I could tell you, but it would be a lie because I can't remember. I can't reach back there and see it. The tag is really low. Actually, I had an Escada dress, and I had it on hold. And they said, `We're going to call New York on Monday and make sure that nobody else is already wearing the dress.' They called me on Monday and they're like, `Over the weekend Heather Tom walked in and bought your dress.' Oh, oh, not a good thing. But, in fact, Heather's not wearing that dress, so how mad am I now? (laughs)

2. You've had an intriguing story line with Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) this year. Are you glad you stayed with "General Hospital"?

Brown: There were a lot of things that went into my decision, but not the least of which was the fact that I got to work with Maurice this year. In fact, they just teased me right at the end of last year of working with Maurice. It was like, `Ahh, I want to do that some more.' ... I get a lot out of working with him. And also the writers, they were like on their hands and knees outside my dressing room door like every day.

3. You're one of the leading characters in "General Hospital." Why were you nominated in the best supporting actress category?

Brown: I plan to run for lead next year. Having not been around this business for more than the four years that I've been here. ... I didn't realize there was a woman who won at 27 a couple years ago in the lead actor's category. But I was really under the impression from what I've seen since I have been here, there's some ageism. If you haven't been on the show for 10 years, five years, then it's really tough and there's not a good chance for you to actually get into that category, to even get nominated for lead. So, I put myself in supporting because I felt that I definitely don't belong in younger. I think that it should be left for somebody who hasn't won in that category and for all the brilliant, really young actresses. ... You've got to step out of the way. ... So this was a really challenging category for me.

4. Has being a Daytime Emmy winner changed your career?

Brown: I wish. I only wish. ... It doesn't mean anything, I guess, to the outside world. Like Spielberg is not knocking on my door. ... Maybe winning three will mean something, I don't know, I'll have to wait and see.

5. Any future projects?