The News Times, November 13, 1995

Laura Innes finds fame as ER's queen of mean

By Mike Duffy

For millions of ER fans, Dr. Kerry Weaver is the walking, talking embodiment of the B-word. You know, rhymes with rich and sounds like witch. The sort of instantly abrasive character we love to loathe. Weaver, the bossy sawbones portrayed by Laura Innes on America's No. 1 show, has become a refreshingly provocative ER newcomer this fall. She undercuts the conventional, Innes said. "We expect TV characters to be warm and charming and have an identifiable sense of humor. Kerry is none of those things.'' Which is one big reason why she's so darn much fun.

Especially for Innes, who did a 180 to play Weaver after creating daft chucklehead moments during guest appearances on Wings as the slutty-but-sweet Bunny, ex-wife of Lowell (Thomas Haden Church). So far, slutty but sweet'' does not exactly define Kerry Weaver.

"She's so totally unembellished and to the point, and always very smart,'' Innes said during a recent phone interview from her home in suburban Los Angeles, pondering her frosty alter ego while keeping an eye on her playful 4-year-old son, Cal. "Kerry has a social problem in dealing with others. That's the nice way of putting it,'' Innes added. "She's someone who just lives her life and does her work and doesn't care what people think of her."

Particularly her Chicago hospital peers at County General, where Weaver, the brusque chief resident, has become a prickly source of aggravation for everyone from Susan Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) to Doug Ross (George Clooney). Ross got so riled he even made cruel fun of Weaver's physical disability, a noticeable limp. Noticeable but, so far, unexplained. "It's a permanent disability,'' said Innes, who uses an orthopedic cane when playing Weaver. "But it's the intention of the producers that it not be about that, about her 'sad story.' What we're trying to do in not focusing on her disability is make it a normal thing. It's not the stereotype of 'Oh, pity me.' ''

Innes, born in Pontiac, Mich., in the late 1950s, was raised in Birmingham as the youngest of six children of Laurette and the late Robert Innes. Regular family trips to the Statford, Ontario, Shakespeare Festival sparked Innes' early interest in the theater. Following graduation from Birmingham Seaholm High School in 1975, and already determined to pursue an actor's life, she earned a degree in theater arts from Northwestern University.

After extensive stage experience in Chicago and New York, Innes, her husband David Brisbin, also an actor, and son Cal moved to Los Angeles four years ago to give television a try. Innes is finding that success breeds tough choices. And complications. During November and December, in addition to continuing work on ER, Innes is filming six episodes of a CBS midseason replacement sitcom (Louie, starring stand-up comic Louie Anderson) that will air in early 1996. It's a deal she committed to before being hired to play Weaver.

"It's been a little crazy,'' said Innes of her current work schedule. "I just sort of rush home and see my son whenever I can. It's hectic, but when you can work in this business, it is a good gig.''

But Louie - in which Innes portrays a meek Midwestern homemaker who goes a little bonkers - is temporarily cutting into her appearances as Weaver. "They're starting to sprinkle me through it,'' said Innes, who will be back on ER full time once Louie wraps. There will even be a love interest for Weaver on the ER Christmas episode next month, Innes said.

Surprisingly, the wrath of Kerry was muted last week. She bonded with a young patient. And she actually seemed a bit softer and almost - horrors! - likable. "They're humanizing her a little bit,'' observed Innes. "She has a lot of natural empathy with patients.'' Not that Kerry will become too merry. It's the character's blunt demeanor and toxic honesty that has wowed ER viewers.

"I hear it all the time, including at the grocery store,'' kidded Innes of her newfound status as America's favorite (sounds like "witchy'') physician. "People will come up to me and they'll usually say, jokingly, 'You are soooooo mean.' " To be the ER queen of mean, that's good.

In fact, Laurette Innes was concerned last week when her daughter's character displayed a kinder, gentler side. "I think they ought to be careful with that,'' she said. "Too many warm and fuzzy moments and she might lose something.'' Like mother, like daughter. "I did say to the writers, 'I hope (Kerry) doesn't get too nice,' '' Laura Innes said. "But they're smart on this show. They never really resolve things.''

And for every humanizing moment, Kerry Weaver will still have her share of sharp, snarky edges. Bitchin'.