Katherine LaNasa: The Truth About Playing Dana on 'The Pitt'

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Katherine LaNasa in character as emergency-room nurse Dana on the hit HBO Max medical drama The Pitt, a role she calls ‘freeing.

Things You Need to Know Before Reading

Who is Katherine LaNasa? She’s a 59-year-old Emmy-winning actress known for roles in Two and a Half Men and Big Love.
What’s her current role? She plays emergency-room nurse Dana on the hit HBO Max medical drama The Pitt.
What’s freeing about the role? She wears no makeup and doesn’t have to live up to a “ridiculous, feminine, sexual ideal” – unlike her past “sexual” roles.
How does she feel about aging? She embraces being “invisible,” saying, “I’ll take a step back” from catcalling and unwanted attention.
What’s her advice to younger women? “Love your body. Enjoy your body. Wear all the crop tops, wear all the short shorts.”

Emmy-winning actress Katherine LaNasa, who says playing nurse Dana on HBO Max's The Pitt has freed her from being typecast in 'sexual' roles.

Playing Dana on ‘The Pitt’ Freed Me From ‘Sexual’ Casting

Katherine LaNasa was always cast in ‘sexual’ roles throughout her career. The Emmy-winning actress, 59, known for Two and a Half Men and Big Love, tells Yahoo Life’s Unapologetically series that playing emergency-room nurse Dana on HBO Max’s The Pitt has been a liberating departure. “Feeling like I don’t have to live up to that ridiculous, feminine, sexual ideal has freed up my acting.

From ‘Sexual’ Roles to ‘The Pitt’: Katherine LaNasa’s Comeback

The Pitt has launched LaNasa into a new level of fame – and earned her an Emmy. “I saw an [article] yesterday on GQ about these men that are finding success in their 50s – like Pedro Pascal, Colman Domingo, and Walt Goggins – and how they already have a well-established self-identity,” she says. “It’s really nice to feel really settled in myself and to have done what I do with very little praise. So getting praise now, it’s a nice ride.”

Katherine LaNasa: ‘I Love Being Invisible Now’

Katherine LaNasa in character as emergency-room nurse Dana on the hit HBO Max medical drama The Pitt, a role she calls 'freeing.

LaNasa has a refreshing take on aging and feeling “invisible.” “I used to get catcalled all the time, and it’s a relief, and it’s nice [to not have to deal with that anymore],” she shares. “This thing about older women being invisible? I’ll take a step back.”

She recalls a recent encounter: “I was walking on the street in Atlanta, and [this guy said], ‘Your dog almost walked into my dog.’ I was like, ‘Were you inconvenienced?’ And he goes, ‘You look old.’ I said, ‘I am old!’ [But] I feel like I’m in really good shape; I feel really strong.

The Pitt’ Emmy Winner: ‘I Wear No Makeup, and I Love It

Playing Dana on The Pitt means wearing no makeup – and LaNasa loves it. “To play a part like Dana and to wear no makeup, it was really very freeing,” she says. “It’s also really freeing working for a mostly female writing crew. Women can feel like they can just relax into being themselves.

Lessons From Love and Motherhood: Katherine LaNasa on Natural Childbirth at 47

Katherine LaNasa with her husband, '90s heartthrob Grant Show, with whom she shares an artistic home and creative partnership.

LaNasa was 22 when she married Dennis Hopper, who was 30 years her senior. “Don’t get married at 22!” she laughs. “It’s nice to have someone that you can grow with – more of a friend as opposed to them being the successful teacher one, and you being the student, less successful, more dependent one.”

Now married to ’90s heartthrob Grant Show (Melrose Place), she shares daughter Eloise, 11. She also has a son, Henry, now in his 30s, from her marriage to Hopper.

Lessons From Love and Motherhood: Katherine LaNasa’s Advice to Her 30-Year-Old Self

Slow down, trust your instincts, and say what you mean – but don’t say it means,” LaNasa advises. “I [also] wish I appreciated that my skin wasn’t wrinkly. To all the 30-year-olds out there, wear all the crop tops, wear all the short shorts. Love yourself. Love your body. Enjoy your body.

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Source Information

Yahoo Life: Katherine LaNasa was always cast in ‘sexual’ roles. The Emmy winner says playing Dana on ‘The Pitt’ is ‘freeing.’

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