जीवनी

Says her favorite genre is the Musical.

Replaced Carrie Fisher for the role of Miss Scarlet in Clue (1985).

Youngest actor ever to have attended NY's Actors Studio, when she was 17.

Was extremely upset at first about her performance as the gangster's moll in Victor/Victoria (1982) prior to its release, having thought she went horribly over the top. She did go over the top and the audiences loved her for it. Lesley was nominated for a "Supporting Actress" Academy Award, her only nod so far.

Was originally offered Jean Seberg's role in Paint Your Wagon (1969).

[reflecting on her career] I have come far, but not far enough. It is still a man's world.

The truth is, I would do anything for Alan Rudolph. If he asked me to stand on my head and spit wooden nickels, I would. I love him. I loved working with him. I did two movies before with him [चूज़ मी (1984) and Songwriter (1984)], and they were some of the highlights of my working life. He's just an inspired guy and a great person to work with.

I've been a character actress right from the beginning. I was no more like Cinderella in my real life than I was like the neurotic poet in Cop (1988). Age has nothing to do with being the kind of actress who relies not on magnetic personality, but on disappearing into the person you're playing instead. For my money, Michelle Pfeiffer's a character actress--it's got nothing to do with looks, or age, or whether it's the leading role.

Trust your own instincts, go inside, follow your heart. Right from the start. Go ahead and stand up for what you believe in. As I've learned, that's the path to happiness.

When I was a young girl, I had really long hair and I went to Jon Peters for the first time. He cut my hair within an inch of its life. I was traumatized!