After A Tumultuous Two-Year Absense, PASSSIONS's Liza Huber Has Harmony Back In Her Life (By Lori Latusek)

Just The Facts

Birthday: February 22 Official Web Site: www.lizahuber.com Middle Name: Victoria The Truth About Charlie: "[My dog] Charlie is a 2-year-old golden retriever. I stand him on his hind legs and he puts his paws on my shoulders and looks me in the eyes." Old-School Tube: "I love reruns of THE GOLDEN GIRLS." Sounds Of Music: "I have such a broad range [of taste in music]. I love Santana, Puddle of Mudd, The Rolling Stones, Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli." Stretching It: "I'm starting to get into Pilates. Everyone loves yoga and I felt like such a loser because I couldn't get into it."

It's a poorly kept secret on-set that ever since Liza Huber's return last month to the role of PASSIONS's Gwen after two years away, she's had a new attitude. The actress is virtually bouncing about with a new perma-smile on her face.

Not that Huber wasn't please to be in Harmony the first time around (1999-2000), but's obvious that there's something different about her now. "It's like night and day," smiles Huber, her sophistacted voice marked by a slight New York accent. "Life feels really good right now. I didn't know it could feel this good, and it's nice."

Though it wasn't easy getting to that place, Huber wouldn't dream of giving up the rough stuff that got her there. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, as they say, and I think we all need to go through some tought itmes to become who we are," she explains. "Last September was a really hard time. We had September 11 and lost 50 people in my town [in New York], and I lost a good friend of mine. Two weeks after that, [Robert Falk and I] called off our wedding. Dealing with those two things, I began to see things in perspective and appreciate what I have. [I also realized] that you shouldn't sacrifice yourself for some - you make compromises, but you shouldn't sacrifice youself."

So Huber decided to jump back into the career she had left when she departed PASSIONS in 2000 to be with Falk in New York. This time, she had luck on her side: After studying with acting coach Alan Savage, Huber got a call from PASSIONS Casting Director Jackie Briskey, who asked her to return to the role she originated. "It was my good fortune that they wanted me back," she shares. "When I left, they knew it had nothing to do with the show and we were able to maintain a good relationship."

The actress is excited to be portraying Gwen again and is especially happy about where the character is headed. "Gwen is now becoming a leading character rather than a supporting character, which I am thrilled about," she enthues. "Initially, Gwen only had scenes with Ethan. Now you see her with Sheridan, Antonio, Rebecca, and everyone else, so I get to show all of the relationships, which has been really great. I'm making her much more strong, intelligent, and independant, but showing her goofy side."

There's a different Ethan this time around - Eric Martsolf replaced Travis Schuldt earlier this year - and the actors hit it off like gangbusters. But don't mistake their "close friendship" for something more serious. "I have someone wonderful in my life," confides Huber. "That also adds to the happiness!"

Though Huber prefers to keep her beau's identity private right now, she will say that he is not an actor and he resides in San Francisco. "We see each other almost every weekend," she adds. "He is very understanding. He understood that last time I came out here, I was a girlfriend. [This time], I had to start my life over on my own. He's been great and I'm ready to be with him."

As for wedding bells.... "I'm looking in the future to get married and have a family," she demurs, noting that her parents are supportive of the relationship. "They like him more than anyone I've ever dated. He's so good to me, and that's what parents want. Because I almost did get married to the wrong person, they want me to make sure it's the right person next time. Now, I have the eyes to see this time around."

And a little more self experience. Huber smiles, "It's a really great lesson learned that you can pick yourself up by the bootstraps and go back to where you belong. I'm thrilled to be here. Who knows, I may never leave."

Grounded For Life

Having been raised by daytime diva, Susan Lucci (Erica, ALL MY CHILDREN), one might assume that Liza Huber was a diva-ette in training. Wrong. "Now that I have been working again, I have a very similar work ethic to hers," Huber reveals. "Family is first and I'm not into the whole [Hollywood] scene by any stretch of the imagination. I just want to do my work, go home and be with my friends, family, and boyfriend and do my own thing. Keep my feet on the ground. In this town, there are so many people with their heads in the clouds; it's just not what it's all about. My mother was always there and that's the kind of mother and wife I want to be."