Always in step with Love......

by James Brady

She was a network TV star at 16, has made serious films and blockbuster teen scare movies, and now Jennifer Love Hewitt will be on CBS Friday evenings at 8:00 PM e/p---talking to ghosts.   And that's no joke. 

The 26 year-old Hewitt will star as a young newlywed in a weekly one-hour drama titled "GHOST WHISPERER," inspired by the work of medium JAMES VAN PRAAGH.  When we spoke, the pilot had been done, and they were shooting the series.   "It's touching and effective," Ms. Hewitt told me.  Does the show take seriously that her character, "has the unique ability to communicate with the dead"?  "My pal (played by Aisha Tyler) is skeptical," she said.  "My husband wants to believe.  And my character does  believe.  Our dead don't look like ghosts, but like real people.  They come and find me, and I help them."  David Conrad stars as her husband JIM in what Jennifer calls "a really good marriage."  

Hewitt has had success in films and television.  Ever interested in stagework?  "Never," she answered.  "I'm afraid to speak in public.  TV Talk Shows don't freak me out, but I can't do award shows or make speeches, so I'm trying to do more of them to get over this."  

Jennifer has her own production company, Love Spell Entertainment, which made "IF ONLY" that did very well internationally.  Not only she made "IF ONLY" in England, but she would return to England in a year and a half and film another international hit, "THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE."    "I like the business side," she said.  "Now, when I read scripts, it's really fun, and I pay more attention.  It gave me a newfound respect for the writers."  

Jennifer credits CBS topper LES MOONVES for getting her involved with "GHOST WHISPERER."  "I was at home in jeans with no make-up," she said, "and his office called.  I've never been treated with such kindness---like an old time movie actress, like royalty."  

No college?  "Maybe one day," she said.  "It is a very touch and go business.  I believe if you have your chance, you go for it." 

In 2000 Hewitt was cast as the lead (and was the co-executive producer) in the ABC made-for-TV movie "The Audrey Hepburn."  It was assailed by critics, but drew raves for her performance---and was the number one movie in its time slot.   I asked about the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" flicks.  "It was really hard work.  But it's fun to know that every year at Halloween, they come around again."

Story: © 2005 Parade Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
Image: © 2005 Touchstone Television LLC - a Walt Disney Company. All Rights Reserved.