"Blondes are a dime a dozen in Hollywood, but talented ones are a rarity." Please understand, that's not a blonde joke. In fact in a quote attributed to a Studio Executive who was searching for a leading lady in the late 1950's to spin off of the popularity of Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe. Too bad, he did not live in present day Hollywood where all the 'Blondes' are talented (Barbara Streisand, Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, etc). If he were in search for an up and coming star, he needn't go any further, I know just the one. Her name is Kelly Van Halen, the last name is as a result of her marriage to drummer Alex Van Halen with whom she had a son. A native of Toronto, Canada Kelly started out modeling and afterwards began working on a sitcom named SCTV. She put her career on hold while married to Van Halen. Now divorced, she has decided to get back into the career she so loves. She has a supporting role in the new IMAX film, Siegfried and Roy: The Magic Box. Based on the lives of the great magicians. She is also the host of a video recently released that takes viewers through the streets of Hollywood on a tour of the homes of celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, Aaron Spelling, Lucille Ball, and the Playboy Mansion. Proceeds from the videos sale will benefit the Diana, Princess of Wales Fund. She hopes to do a sitcom, and is an admirer of the screwball comedy associated with Carole Lombard and Lucille Ball. She prides herself on her tenacity, and knows she'll make it to the top because of her strong will and focused nature, being talented and beautiful will also help I am sure. She lives in a Los Angeles suburb with her son and her two dogs, a Persian cat, and a bunny, as well as the Gecko Lizards her son owns. Read on and learn more about Hollywood's next Star and remember where you read it first.

KT: How many pets do you have?
KVH: I have two dogs, a retriever named LuLu, a bulldog named Buster, and a Persian cat named Clack. My son named him. I don't know where he came up with the name. We have a bunny named Bertha.

KT: Growing up, was taking care of the pets your responsibility?
KVH: We always had a dog at one point or another, and we had quite a few cats.

KT: Favorite types of animal?
KVH: We've always had dogs. We had two shepherds who recently passed away.

KT: Is it hard to take care of an animal while trying to balance a successful acting career and a social life?
KVH: Yeah, animals are a lot of work. They take a lot of time and a lot of care. Between the visits to the vet and little emergencies here and there, they keep you busy. My son helps out and we have a housekeeper who also helps, but they do need a lot of attention, that's for sure.

KT: Do you spoil your pets?
KVH: Absolutely, yes. With lots of food and lots of love. They have their way in this house.

KT: When did your interest in acting begin?
KVH: I have always been interested in acting. When I was modeling in Toronto and mostly doing lots of television commercials, I began working on a series called SCTV, which was a comedy show. That's where it basically started. I was 17 when I started. Then I got married and sort of cooled off because my husband had a bigger career. So I sort of went on with him. In the last few years, I got back into it.

KT: What have you learned from your pets?
KVH: Patience! Pets are so great and loving all the time. My bulldog waits for me sitting on a chair to have breakfast. It is the funniest thing I've ever seen. I have learned so much about responsibility and dependability, because they depend a lot on you.

KT: Psychologists believe that some people take on their pet's characteristics or vice-versa. Do you see that with your pets?
KVH: Yes, actually. The bulldog is more like my son: he's more aggressive and athletic. And the retriever is more like myself in that she's more gentle and feminine.

KT: Tell me about working with Siegfried and Roy?
KVH: I didn't work a lot with the big animals-not that I would have wanted to. They are so big and scary. One thing that did impress me was the handling of all the animals on the set. They were really gentle and you can see that they were really loved and taken care of. It was impressive. In the movie, I play Mrs. Nagal, whose husband is responsible for bringing them to the States. It's a very interesting story.

KT: What is your earliest memory of having a pet?
KVH: When I was very little, we had this Dachshund, and it bit me. So my earliest memory was saying "Ouch."

KT: Do your pets travel with you?
KVH: Every summer I travel with them to Canada. They go in their kennels. I always travel on Air Canada. I always go up to the captain and tell him that there are animals on board, and he makes sure that the air temperature control is on. They are really great.

KT: What would you like to see happen with your career in the next three years??
KVH: Well, I love comedy, so I would love to do a sitcom. I think there is some great television work right now. Movies are always fun. I think I like the dependability and regularity of a sitcom in terms of working on a regular basis. I also like the spontaneity of working before a live audience and things changing. I would still love to do movies. I just finished doing a 3-D IMAX movie on the life of Siegfried and Roy, which will open in July in New York and worldwide in October. I think TV is a great medium.

KT: Do you work with any animal organizations?
KVH: There is a local organization called the Britney Foundation that finds homes for stray dogs, so I worked with them.

KT: If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?
KVH: I would say a dog, as long as it's loved and cared for. They are treated so well and can have a great life.

KT: You recently lost two of your pets. How did that feel?
KVH: Since I recently lost my shepherds, I guess I want to tell everyone to really enjoy their pets. Their life span isn't always that long. They really leave a mark on your life. I know mine have. There are so special. Get up off that couch and take them for a walk, even when you're tired. Enjoy them.

-Kareem Tabsch is a freelance writer who specializes in celebrity interviews. He has interviewed celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Mandrell and others. He writes frequently on animal related issues as well as on the entertainment industry.