Q: Why is Susan Lucci doing "Dancing with the Stars?" — Riana, Oakland Calif.

A: Because the actress who has played "All My Children's" Erica since the show debuted in 1970 is a star who can dance. Lucci will not be the oldest woman dancing on the show — that honor goes to Cloris Leachman. Before landing the role of Erica, Lucci graduated as a musical theater major from Marymount College in New York. A few years back she played Annie in the Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun." According to Broadway choreographer Wayne Cilento, who saw the show, "That gal can really dance. She was not just doing 'one-two-three-turn,' which is what a lot of actresses who grab a Broadway role do." At 5 foot 2, the tiny Lucci is in great shape. And no, AMC is not going to let her get out of her day job to do the show. She will be "Dancing with the Stars" at night and scheming with her AMC character during the day. Of course, ABC, which airs both shows, is delighted by the crossover publicity.

Q: Is it true that the actor who plays Victor Newman on "Young and Restless" used a different name during his earlier acting career? — Artie in Texas

A: He sure did. Eric Braeden, who took his new name from a town in Germany, used his real name, Hans Gudegast, when he immigrated to the United States. He became a U.S. citizen while in college. Using that name, he played a major role in the primetime series "The Rat Patrol." His character, a Nazi who was conflicted by doing his "duty" and what he thought was "right," became very popular in the late 1960s. After years of playing Nazis, the actor wanted to pursue other roles. His agent at the time felt a name change might help. He was right. "It was not easy being an actor with a German background in the 1970s," Braeden said. "I wanted to work so I agreed to the name change." In 1980, Braeden audition for the role of Victor Newman on "Young and the Restless." He has told us he did not want to do the show at first. "I was not into the idea of doing a soap opera. My wife and agent said give it a chance. I did and it was the best advice I ever received. Playing Victor has allowed me to play a hero, a villain, a man of conviction for over 20 years. My fear that it would typecast me, as using my real name had done, was unfounded. I have worked in a variety of roles while doing Y&R." Braeden has appeared on the primetime show "The Nanny" to the film sensation "Titanic," where he played a man who really did go down with his ship.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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