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Gabrielle Miller Loves Modern Dogs
a Q & A with the accomplished actress
By Mary-Jo Dionne
Photographs by Dexter Quinto
Styling by Faranek for THEYrep.com; makeup & hair by Ellen Pratt
The name Gabrielle miller is fast becoming a house hold one. Then again, so is the name Lacey Burrows. Oh, and wiath: So, is Bobbi Briggs. Gabrielle miller is one of those fortunate actors starring concurrently in not one but two, hot series - CTV's "Corner Gas" and "Robson Arms". Not only is "Corner Gas"--the highest rated comedy program in Canadian history --entering its fourth season and "Robson Arms" commencing its second, Gabrielle has garnered much in the way of professional recognition. When she isn't portraying displaced Torontonian LAcey in small-town Saskatchewan, or displaces Prairie girl Bobbi in Vancouver, Gabrielle is anything but idle. As one of the founders of the Shanti Miller Friendship Society, A microboard organization started in honour of her sister who lives with cerebral palsy, Gabrielle is passionately dedicated to the cause. And just when you think she couldn't add anything else to her already-full plate, this successful multi-tasker has just wrapped up on her soon-to-be-released feature, "Love and Other Dilemmas".
Oh, and there's also a very special little man in her life. His name is Duncan.
MD: You have a Yorkie named Duncan. How did you come with that name?
GM: Its was a big deal naming him. I had a very hard time. So hard that this local restaurant was planning a contest to help me name him! One day my roommate came home and was like; "Hey, what about Duncan?" It just suited him.
MD: Well, of course! He's dunkable. So why did you pick a Yorkie?
GM: I had done a pilot show in L.A. where, at the end of the show, I came home and my dog ran up to me. They had a bunch of dogs there to see which one was best. And I just fell in love with the Yorkie.
MD: Is there anything particularly quirky about Duncan's personality?
GM: He always has the day I'm having. I got really sick with the flu once an he curled up in bed and stayed with me. He's a very caring little man. And you know, he's bee through a lot. One day, he say a dog across a busy street and he ran out and was hit by an SUV! He was in a coma for a week. He even lost his sigh for a while. And now, he's completely fine. He's amazing!
MD: That's an incredible story. I'm a small-dog person who is constantly defending their resilience to people who think small dogs are waifs!
GM: Nope, not Duncan!
MD: Does Duncan travel with you while you work?
GM: He has the best of all worlds. He travels really well on the plane. And sometimes, he stays with my parent. My step-dad takes him to work and even made him a sled so that he could pull him because otherwise Duncan would get lost in the snow! But I actually just bought a bungalow in Saskatchewan and I'm so excited because we're going to have a great summer together. He'll have a yard and he can come on the set (of Corner Gas) with me.
MD: What has been the biggest high about your success on "Corner Gas" and "Robson Arms"?
GM: It's been incredible to get to do work I love so much, in Canada. And also, to have the change to spend time with characters. Often as an actor, we do a series or a movie and that's it. Being able to live with characters for as long as I have has been wonderful.
MD: Ultimately, where do you see yourself in ten years? And will there be a Yorkie by your side?
GM: I just want to continue to do work that challenges and excites me. That's an actor's dream. I'd also like to direct one day. That's kind of a future goal. And yes, I believe there will be a Yorkie at my side. Hopefully, it will still be Duncan.