ALL ABOUT MARG: a fansite devoted to CSI and China Beach actress Marg Helgenberger
  • Link to X
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Tumblr
  • Home
  • Marg
    • Biography
    • Career at a Glance
      • Filmography
      • Awards & Nominations
      • Her First TV Job
    • Her Heroes and Influences
    • Her Interests
    • Quotes from Marg
    • Quotes about Marg
    • Marg A to Z: A Quick Reference
  • Press Archive
    • 2009 – present
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
    • 2005 – 2008
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 2005
    • 2001 – 2004
      • 2004
      • 2003
      • 2002
      • 2001
    • 1992 – 2000
    • 1988 – 1991
    • 1987 and Earlier
    • Magazine Scans
  • Media Library
    • Video Library
      • 2016 – 2017
      • 2014 – 2015
      • 2012 – 2013
      • 2010 – 2011
      • 2008 – 2009
      • 2006 – 2007
      • 2004 – 2005
      • 2002 – 2003
      • 2001 and Earlier
      • Miscellaneous Clips
    • Image Library
      • Family
      • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
      • China Beach
      • Film & TV Roles
      • Miscellaneous Early Photos
      • Miscellaneous Recent Photos
      • Photoshoots
      • Talk Shows
  • CSI
    • Episode Guide
    • Promotional Stills
    • Screen Captures
    • Trade Ads
    • Quote Archive
  • China Beach
    • Episode Guide
    • Promotional Stills of KC
    • Screen Captures
    • Trade Ads
    • Quote Archive
  • AAM
    • Subscribe to AAM’s Mailing List
    • Contact Us
    • Legal Disclaimer
    • About the Site
    • Favorite Websites
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Marg Helgenberger at the top of her game

Previous Previous Previous Next Next Next
123

MARG HELGENBERGER AT THE TOP OF HER GAME

Soap Opera Update

June 18, 2002

By Nelson Branco

Ex-Ryan’s Hope star is one of nighttime TV’s most successful leading ladies!

“As long as a series is fun and creative, I can log in the hours,” says the talented Marg Helgenberger in response to why she loves working on TV.

Thanks to her entertaining and critically acclaimed role of Catherine Willows of CBS’ hit CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the actress is practicing what she preaches.

Although the former China Beach actress (she played a hooker named K.C.) earned an Emmy for her role, it wasn’t until she landed the lead role on the CBS sleeper hit that she became a household name. After the first season on the air, Helgenberger earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Her Soap Past

But for soap fans, Helgenberger has been a household name for quite some time now. Ever since she burst onto the soap screen as the most memorable of the infamous Siobhans on Ryan’s Hope, she’s held a special spot in soap fans’ hearts. For Helgenberger, TV work is just as fulfilling as film, if not more, considering the lack of strong roles for women on the big screen. She genuinely adores the genre, and although she understands why so many actors shy away from TV, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. “It’s funny, because a lot of time people forsake television series because it can be a grind. Near the ninth or tenth month, everybody is burnt out, but every day on China Beach was an adventure. I like series work. I like to become a family for nine or ten months,” says the actress, who is married to The Guardian‘s Alan Rosenberg.

Bringing CBS to Number One

CSI is a fast-paced drama about a passionate team of forensic investigators trained to solve crimes the old-fashioned way – by examining the evidence. They are on the case 24/7, scouring the scene, collecting the irrefutable evidence and finding the missing pieces that will solve the mystery. Catherine is a single parent living in Las Vegas, who has to juggle the job she loves while raising her child. In its second season, CSI has consistently been in the top three in the ratings, sometimes earning the number one position as the most-watched show on TV. With the deadly combination of Survivor and CSI, CBS has taken the must-see title away from its rival network, NBC.

Solving the Crime in the Nick of Time

For Helgenberger, the part of Catherine came just at the right time. However, even she didn’t realize how big the show would become. “It was such a great part that it was hard to find another one that could be as interesting and challenging. And hopefully, I know this one has the potential to be that. There were many reasons, obviously. This was geographically desirable, because it shoots here in California. I loved the script and I love the people involved, like Jerry Bruckheimer and William Petersen (Gil),” she says.

Working with one of film’s most successful producers was also a highlight for Helgenberger. The actress worked with the superstar producer on the film Bad Boys.

Bruckheimer attributes the success of the show to its stars, most notably Helgenberger. “We’re on the biggest night of television, which is very exciting for us. It’s a tribute to our cast, and they have made the characters interesting. When you find talented people, you let them do what they know how to do…and they’re doing an amazing job. It’s always about story and character and themes – those are the important things. If we do that well, then the audience will be entertained,” the producer explains when asked why the show is such a hit. The unparalleled success of CSI has led CBS to make plans to create a CSI franchise a la Law and Order, sometime next year.

According to Helgenberger, research played a large role in understanding her character. The actress says that she hung out with police officers and detectives to understand the world her character investigates. “The research is a blast. One of the great things about being an actor is you get to vicariously live through these people’s lives and risk your life,” she says, laughing.

The scientist and detective sleuthing is the part of CSI she most enjoys. “We are criminologists, and so we do all the painstaking stuff. We collect fibers, saliva samples, prints and so forth. You have to be excruciatingly careful with what you are collecting because it can be all thrown out if you screw up, but I don’t want to imply that the show is plodding. There is a lot of action, too. There are obviously times that my character is going to be in jeopardy and I’m going to have to make fast decisions. I love that kind of energetic kind of acting – anything where you can put action behind words. It’s lot more fund to watch and it is more fun to play.”

With a new legion of fans on primetime, and a growing one on daytime of old and new because of her Ryan’s Hope exposure on SoapNet, Helgenberger is arguably at the height of her fame. Case closed.

CURRENT ROLE


ALL RISE

TV SERIES

ROLE: Judge Lisa Benner
STATUS: Renewed for Season 2 
NETWORK: CBS

A look at the personal and professional lives of the judges, lawyers, clerks, bailiffs and cops who work at an L.A. County courthouse.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”camera” wrap=”i”] Photos [wp-svg-icons icon=”info” wrap=”i”] IMDB 

RECENT ROLE


A DOG’S JOURNEY

FILM

ROLE: Hannah
RELEASED:  2019

A dog finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he meets.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”camera” wrap=”i”] Photos [wp-svg-icons icon=”info” wrap=”i”] IMDB 

BEST KNOWN ROLES


CSI

TV SERIES

ROLE: Catherine Willows STATUS: Ended (2000 - 2015 ) NETWORK: CBS

An elite team of police forensic evidence investigation experts work their cases in Las Vegas.

[wp-svg-icons icon="camera" wrap="i"] Photos [wp-svg-icons icon="info" wrap="i"] IMDB 

CHINA BEACH

TV SERIES

ROLE: Karen Charlene Kolowski STATUS: Ended (1988 - 1991) NETWORK: ABC

The trials of a weary nurse, her friends and colleagues in a Vietnam War field hospital.

[wp-svg-icons icon="camera" wrap="i"] Photos [wp-svg-icons icon="info" wrap="i"] IMDB 

Search Search

MARG ON TWITTER


Tweets by @MargHelgen

SEND MARG FANMAIL


Marg Helgenberger

212 26th St.

Ste. #245

Santa Monica, CA 90402

USA

CAUSES MARG SUPPORTS


SU2C

ROLE: SU2C Ambassador

Because her mom is a breast cancer survivor, Marg has been an active supporter of cancer awareness groups for over three decades. STAND UP TO CANCER is a groundbreaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research that will get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now.

[wp-svg-icons icon="new-tab" wrap="i"] Official

 

RACE TO ERASE MS

ROLE: Supporter

Because her father died due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis, fighting this disease has been an important cause to Marg for much of her adult life. Race to Erase MS is dedicated to the treatment and ultimate cure of Multiple Sclerosis. Funding research is the core focus of the Foundation and all funds raised support their Center Without Walls program, a selected network of the nation’s top MS research centers.

[wp-svg-icons icon="new-tab" wrap="i"] Official

SITE INFORMATION


SITE NAME: ALL ABOUT MARG
ESTABLISHED: June 17, 2003
Maintainers: Suzanne & Sharon  
CONTACT: 

DISCLAIMER


DMCA
Disclaimer

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

All About Marg is an unofficial non-profit site that is in no way affiliated with Marg or her family members, management, or co-workers. All original content is copyright to All About Marg. All images, videos, and other media are copyright to their respective owners; no copyright infringement is ever intended. This is merely a fan run site meant for informational purposes only. We are not compensated in any way for any portion of this site, and to the best of the WEBMASTER’s knowledge, all content, images, videos, sounds, photos, etc., if any, are being used in compliance with Fair Use Copyright Law 107.

[wp-svg-icons icon="envelop" wrap="i"] Contact Us [wp-svg-icons icon="quill" wrap="i"] Disclaimer [wp-svg-icons icon="pencil" wrap="i"] Privacy Policy

2020 - ALL ABOUT MARG: an unofficial fansite devoted to CSI and China Beach actress Marg Helgenberger - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
  • Link to X
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Tumblr
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies and our privacy policy.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visist to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy
Accept settingsHide notification only