Mum’s The Word
Soap Opera Digest: You’ve already told us what an energetic child Winsor was. What else can you tattle on him about?
Elizabeth Harmon: That boy loved to paint things. If anyone left paint out, he would be in it. He painted a neighbor’s Persian cat blue. He and his brother Victor both got through their bedroom window one time while they were supposed to be taking naps and got into a painter’s station wagon. They then proceeded to paint the inside of the man’s car. We had to be very careful about paint because if it was anywhere, he would be in it and painting.Digest: What a bad boy. What else?
Harmon: I’ll never forget this, but one night I heard the TV going and that was back when broadcasting cut off at 10. I walked into the living [room], and there was just the black-and-white snow going on the screen, and there was Winsor. He had fallen asleep in the middle of what he was doing.Digest: And what was he doing?
Harmon: Evidently, there had been a cooking show on, and he had gone into the kitchen, got my chef knife and a pound of butter and cut it into little one-inch squares. Then, he must have fallen asleep. You can imagine the nightmares that I had after that. You’re talking about a 10-inch blade.Digest: He has always said he’s in touch with his feminine side because he likes to decorate and pick out towels and linens.
Harmon: Growing up, he was used to sitting down for dinner at a table that would have flowers and place settings. Their bedrooms were decorated, and that was something I always did. He loves to decorate. When he’s decorating his house, we always discuss choices.Digest: He also loves to cook. Are you responsible for that, too?
Harmon: The whole family likes to cook. I love to cook, and his father was also a good cook. The boys were eating gourmet food at a very early age. On Sundays, they always wanted to have “craps” — that’s what they called crepes. They grew up eating all kinds of sauces and dishes. They were exposed to different ethnic foods at a very early age. Winsor is very creative with his cooking.Digest: Your son is Winsor III, but you call him Sonny. How did he get that nickname?
Harmon: He was nicknamed after the prizefighter. Winsor’s father had boxed in the service, and he was a big fan of Sonny Liston. I call Winsor’s son, Winsor IV, “Payback.” Sonny is just getting a hint of what I went through.Digest: What has he done that has made you most proud?
Harmon: The fact that he hung in there in this business. One thing I told Winsor and his brother is do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I know when he announced he was going to become an actor that there were a lot of people who said, “Are you kidding?” I remember awhile ago when he had to pinch pennies I asked, “Are you sure this is what you want to do?” But he worked several jobs to keep his dream going. I’m proud because he hung in there. You can’t expect other people to believe in you when you give up on yourself.
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