'Downward Dog' star nearly quit acting

Friday, June 23, 2017
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The story about the lady and her dog is funny enough, but what's most interesting is how close star Allison Tolman came to quitting the business.

"It's certainly not something I was planning on pursuing professionally forever," she said.
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An audition for the first season of "Fargo" changed her life.

"It's amazing," she said. "I mean, what happens when all your dreams come true? I try to remember that four years ago, I was working in an office. And I'm so blessed that I get to be doing this with my time."

"Downward Dog" is not a typical sitcom.

"It's not a joke a minute, it's not even a joke a page," Tolman said. "But it's sweet and it's sad and it's funny and it's true."
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Viewers can hear Martin, but Tolman's character, Nan, cannot.



"The audience is the only ones that are privy to this world where he is anything other than just a regular dog," she said. "So for me as an actress, it was just like working with a dog, but for a lot of hours a day, because he's my main co-star."

Downward Dog airs on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. on Channel 7.
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