Reel to Real

Jane Kaczmarek has never forgotten her Midwestern roots. A Milwaukee native, Jane returns home regularly to visit her family and while in town, rarely misses a chance to make appearances for local non-profits. Giving back is part of her DNA, as it is with her husband, West Wing actor and Madison, Wis. native, Bradley Whitford.

Such was the case this past weekend when Jane made a trip home to visit with family and attend fund-raising events for FUEL Milwaukee (the local young professionals organization) and the Park People, a non-profit dedicated to preserving Milwaukee area parks.

When she was in town, she also had an opportunity to take her father and brother on a tour of the USS Freedom, a new first-of-class warship that was commissioned by the U.S. Navy in Milwaukee on Nov. 8. She told me the tour was "unforgettable."

Philanthropy is nothing new for Jane. A few years back, Jane and Brad established the Clothes off Our Back charity, which auctions off celebrity attire and donates the proceeds to children's charities

While Jane, 52, won critical praise for her role as the tyrannical mother on the long-running hit FOX series Malcolm in the Middle, she is shining in the completely different role of Judge Trudy Kessler in the Steven Bochco drama, Raising the Bar. The legal drama's debut broke a basic cable record for a series premiere with 7.7 million viewers and averaged 5.5 million viewers per episode.

Being both socially and politically active, I asked Jane what would she like to see happen to make this a better world as the holiday season approaches?

"I would like to see people buy Christmas presents for people who really need them. We are the richest people living in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Millions and millions of people go to bed hungry and cold every night. I wish more people would give charitable donations in people's names. Brad and I support Heifer International, which provides struggling families a way to become self-reliant for food and income."

While her politics may tilt left, she says when it comes to raising her three children, she's all conservative.

"We live in Pasadena, which is very 'unHollywood'--  in large part to get our kids out of that community. We don't watch television, which is paradoxical. We watch videos and we're big on classic musicals. The greatest thing I got from Malcolm is the reminder that I'm the parent, I'm in charge, I have the right to say no. I'm amazed by how many parents have abdicated that ability."

Good advice from a good mother. Jane's Malcolm character is a true TV classic. Who are some of your favorite TV moms and why?

Photo credits (top to bottom): Dave Fantle; James Sheaver/WireImage; Michael Tran/Film Magic

• Discuss the careers of Jane and Bradley on the Actors/Actresses board
• Discuss Malcolm in the Middle on the Other Networks and Their Shows board
• Discuss charitable causes and activities on the Cause Change board