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AE: (laughs) Too many ex-girlfriends?
MW: I don't know about ex-girlfriends, but how would I hide? Not only that, but the first films I did were lesbian roles. I had people say to me, "Are you sure you want to do that?" when I took those roles, but I'm like, "It's work. If you want to stereotype me, go ahead and stereotype me. At least I'm working." From that I'll go on to other roles, and I'll be able to expand and broaden my horizons as an actor. But if you want to put me in this role and I think it's a good role, even if it's lesbian or butch or whatever it is, I'm going to do it if I like it. I'm not going to worry about how it is going to affect everybody else. I'm not that big. I am not worried about hurting my career in that way.

AE: What has been your favorite role so far ?
MW: I think Lou was my favorite so far, but part of that because it was so in depth and so lovely. Playing Julie Ray in Crime Time was also a huge challenge for me, and one of those roles that stretched me, which I loved. I loved playing a straight character; it's rare that I get to do it. A lot of my Hollywood roles are very formulaic and not much fun, because I can do it with my eyes closed. I do it for the paycheck and the residuals. Some of it I will put in my reel, but my reel is full of that stuff. I don't need that stuff, I need the other stuff.

I like the fact that one of my favorite roles is a straight woman with a kid. It speaks to the fact that it's about the role--it's not about anything else but the work. I've done a lot of different shorts that I have always had fun with. I only pick the shorts where there is something interesting, like my friend Michelle Paradise's short film The Ten Rules.

AE: Do you prefer comedy over drama?
MW: No, I prefer drama. It's just a little bit needier. As an actor I like going into that a little bit more. Although comedy is really fun, and I like doing it.

AE: Is comedy easier for you?
MW: No. Comedy is all about the timing and if you don't have that timing, it falls flat. I think comedy is a little bit more challenging for me, just because it is not my natural place to go. There are certain people who are just funny people all the time--it's like they are performing all the time--but that's not my nature. I'm a little darker, and more guarded. Playing Julie was wonderful because I got to go into a very dark place and show it rather than putting those walls up.

AE: What do you have in the pipeline now?
MW: I have roles in two different features in the works. One of them is very, very dark and the other is a comedy. I did an episode of Without a Trace recently, and I've done some commercials. All of that stuff comes in-between, though--the big stuff for me is the lesbian work. I would love to do more with here!, because they have original programming.

AE: Any advice for aspiring actresses?
MW: This is a tough business so if you don't absolutely love it, if it isn't a passion, get the hell out, because it will drive you crazy. It's hard going to audition after audition. It's hard when you're not booking, it's great when you are. Your emotions are up and down. It's a really, really hard business and I know if I ever stop loving it, that'ss when I'm going to be done. But I still love it.

Learn more about Michelle at michellewolff.com