Soap Opera Update
October 18, 1994
Catherine Hickland, Tess (Loving)

In a world full of stars----and an equal amount of egos----getting caught up in one's self can sadly become the road most traveled. That's why it's so refreshing to meet someone like Catherine Hickland, whose consideration for others surpasses her own needs. LOVING makeup artist Joan Zandel uses this anecdote to demonstrate her friend's selflessness: "There was a man who used to deliver our food and coffee every day. Yesterday, Catherine came in here heartbroken because his company had just been purchased by another company and he was going to be fired because his English wasn't good enough. Catherine immediately took up a collection for him and wrote a letter to management. And don't you know, today she came in and said his job had been saved. That's the kind of person she is; that is typical of Catherine Hickland."

The actress is known for giving gifts as tokens of her affection. Says her on-screen ex-love and off-screen pal Michael Weatherly (Cooper), "When I first got cats as pets, Catherine made a special trip to my apartment to bring over some cat food."

This gift is an extremely fitting one for Hickland, who is renowned for her love of animals. The permanent owner of approximately eight cats and one dog, the animal advocate often finds herself the "foster mother" of more.

"If she sees animals that aren't being treated well or they've been abandoned in the street…or if the vet has an animal that they will put to sleep because they can't find a home for it, Catherine will actively seek out someone that would like to have a pet and that would be a good family for a pet," relates Nadine Aronson, LOVING production supervisor. "And she won't just give it to anyone; she'll brief them: 'Can you feed them? Can you spend time with them? Can you walk them? Can you afford to take them to the doctor?' If for some reason someone can't take the animal, she'll take it in herself until she finds a home."

Whether it's to her loved ones, to animals or to strangers on the street, Catherine Hickland's compassion seems unequaled. Sums up Aronson, "The thing about her is that it's so genuine. She expects nothing in return."