Frasier (1997): As a doggie shrink (below, with John Mahoney), Ivanek treated a down-in-the-dumps Eddie. ''It was one of this season's early shows, after Kelsey was back [from rehab], so the atmosphere was great. I sat in the green room for a week and envied them. And the dog is adorable!''
Donnie Brasco (1997): Cast as Johnny Depp's FBI contact, Ivanek was never considered for one of Al Pacino's Mafia cohorts: ''They weren't going for that clean-cut mobster who looks like a pharmacist.''
TAMARA TUNIE
As the actress herself says with a self-deprecating chuckle, ''If you see a positive, businesslike black woman on television these days, it's probably me.'' With her elegant bearing, no-nonsense gaze, and mischievous smile, Tunie is indeed prime time's professional woman of the moment. Doesn't she ever want to go in the opposite direction, playing someone wild and irresponsible? ''I get very free that way when I sing,'' says the 38-year-old part-time crooner, who performs in small New York clubs alongside her husband, Gregory Generet, a CBS videotape editor by day and jazz singer by night.
As the World Turns (1987-1995): Soap fans may recall Tunie's turn as attorney Jessica Griffin. ''I guess that's where I earned my rep as an African-American woman who could be an authority figure. People still come up to me and ask when [I'm] coming back.''
NYPD Blue (1993-present): Radiating both intelligence and calm, Tunie has a recurring role as Lieutenant Fancy's wife, Lillian. ''I've been in four episodes this season — did you see the one where I've got my husband selling cosmetics in the precinct house for me? It was fun to see James McDaniel [with Tunie, below], who's usually so dignified, having to play all embarrassed.'' While Tunie loves the show, she says ''you never know when they're going to use you. I don't think Michael DeLuise [Sipowicz's son] knew he was getting killed off until they handed him his script. I guess I'm lucky I'm still alive.''
Feds/Prince Street (1997): Tunie, in lawyerly pinstripes again, was in the mid-season replacement Feds, ''which lasted, what, three weeks?'' Says Tunie: ''I would have [continued to be on]the undercover-cop team on Prince Street'' — another mid-season try-out — ''had NBC let that show last more than two weeks. I've tested for the lead in at least four other shows. As long as they keep calling, I'll keep auditioning.''
Devil's Advocate (due this October): The film starring Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves finds Tunie playing a mysterious penthouse dweller. ''If the movie is Rosemary's Baby meets The Firm — which I gather was how it was sold — then I'm the Ruth Gordon character.''
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