Susan Lucci, the iconic soap opera star, is making a comeback to acting after nearly a decade away, appearing in the dark comedy 'Outcome' with Keanu Reeves. She discussed her role and new memoir 'La Lucci' at a book release party in New York City. Lucci also shared advice for songwriter Diane Warren following her 17th Oscar nomination.
Susan Lucci, best known for her long-running role as Erica Kane on 'All My Children,' has not appeared on television since a 2017 guest spot on 'Difficult People.' Now, at 79, she is returning to acting in the upcoming Apple TV+ film 'Outcome,' a dark comedy directed and co-written by Jonah Hill. The movie stars Keanu Reeves as a Hollywood actor facing extortion over a damaging video, with Lucci playing his mother. Other cast members include Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer, and the film begins streaming on April 10.
Footage from 'Outcome' debuted on Tuesday at Apple TV's press day in Santa Monica, showcasing Lucci's character in a scene filled with profanity. Hill personally approached Lucci about the role. 'I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it,' she recalled at the American Heart Association-hosted launch party for her memoir 'La Lucci' in New York City. 'I love Jonah Hill, but my main scene, it’s spectacular and challenging, but I was going to have to go to a place where I would have to be very raw again to do this.'
Ultimately, reading the script convinced her. 'When I laid down at night, I couldn’t help myself,' Lucci said. 'I started working on this character. I also knew that I would feel terrible if I saw another actress take on the challenge and it wasn’t me. I’d be really upset.' She collaborated closely with Reeves during filming. 'He was fantastic,' she noted. 'After a few shows of it, he said to me, “Wow, I wish we were doing this on stage on Broadway.” I said, “Me, too. I was just sitting here thinking the same thing.”'
Lucci's hiatus from acting stemmed from personal loss. Her husband of 53 years, Helmut Huber, died four years ago, dimming her passion for performing. 'I really thought I would never step in front of the camera or on stage again,' she admitted. Her memoir 'La Lucci' explores this grief and other hardships. 'Maybe you’ll gather something for yourself from the book, and maybe you won’t,' she said. 'There’s no teaching moments. There’s no bumper stickers in the book, but maybe you won’t feel so alone.'
Drawing from her own perseverance—Lucci received 19 Daytime Emmy nominations before winning in 1999—she offered encouragement to Diane Warren, who earned her 17th Oscar nomination this year without a win. 'Keep on doing what you love, Diane,' Lucci advised. 'We don’t do it for the awards, but winning is better.' Reflecting on her Emmy victory, Lucci shared, 'I didn’t hear my name. After the ninth time I didn’t win, I would go numb whenever they said the name. It must be a self-protective thing.'
