Laura Bell Bundy - Guiding Light's Marah

As Springfield’s resident hellraiser Marah Lewis, GUIDING LIGHT’s Laura Bell Bundy is making her mark on the CBS Soap. While Josh and Reva’s wild child is ensuring the hearts of former junior mobster Tony and cerebral cutie Sam (who is also her step-uncle), it is not only Bundy’s alter ego who is capturing the notice all around her.

Blessed with the beauty of Farrah Fawcett (think CHARLIE’S ANGELS), the talent of Gwyneth Paltrow (“Great Expectation”), and the personality of Sandra Bullock (“Miss Congeniality”), Bundy’s star is definitely on the rise. Her exuberant charm and wry sense of humor radiates from within. However, what is most impressive about the Kentucky –born actress is how, at the tender age of 20, she has attained a self-possession and awareness of the world around her that people twice her age have yet to discover.

Co-star Wesley Ramsey (Sam) appreciates that Bundy’s beauty is more than just skin deep: “It’s obvious to anyone with eyes as to the angelic beauty Miss Laura Bell Bundy possesses. But for me, it is her inner peace of mind and spirit that add a centeredness to her already appealing nature.”

JUST THE FACTS

BIRTHDAY: April 10

HOMETOWN: Lexington, KY

SIGNIFICANT OTHER: Jamie, whom she met near the incline bench press as a gym (no longer together)

REALITY BITES: “I would love to do THE REAL WORLD, but I’m not controversial enough.

FAVE TV SHOW: Blind Date

LATEST INTEREST: Taking a correspondence course in holistic medicine

Since her 1999 debut as Josh and Reva’s rebellious daughter, Marah, on GUIDING LIGHT, Laura Bell Bundy has acquired lots of new friends. Problem is, she doesn’t know them. “Back home, I’m ‘best friends’ with almost everyone now,” the teen chuckles.

The “instant pal” syndrome doesn’t faze the laid-back Southerner, perhaps because she’s been I show biz for 10 of her 19 years (her choice --- no parental pressure). And in case you’re wondering, her ego is firmly in check. Case in point: When discussing her former role in the off-Broadway hit Ruthless, Bundy doesn’t mention the fact that she received nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Musical from two prestigious organizations. Instead, she stresses how Ruthless helped her learn to embrace all types of people. “[The other actors] would discuss their lives very openly with me,” recalls Bundy. “I was surrounded by people [who had] alternative lifestyles.”

It could have been overwhelming for a girl from Kentucky. Instead, Bundy soaked up the experience. “I was always observing and learning from their good and bad examples,” she notes. Bundy credits a strong, spiritual core for her level-headed attitude. “Growing up, it was very important to figure out the place God had in my life,” she shares. “I’m always searching, I can’t say, ‘I pray this many times, so I’m okay.’ I have to constantly strive to be the best person I can be.”

Despite her professional success, Bundy decided to return to her hometown of Lexington, KY to attend high school after living in NYC with her mother for five years. (Her parents are divorced). “I had been doing the business for so long, I wanted to take a break,” she explains. So for four years, Bundy was a typical teen --- running track, going to the prom, etc. “It was a really good experience to be around people who weren’t actors --- no offense to actors,” she laughs.

Although Bundy enjoyed the return to her roots, she craved diversity, so after graduation, she moved back to the Big Apple to attend New York University --- which is when GL came knocking. “I ended up being five minutes late to the audition because my cab driver hit a bike messenger,” shudders Bundy. “I went into [Executive Producer] Paul Rauch’s office and told him the story because I was so frazzled. I think he thought it was funny because he put down his newspaper and cigar and watched me.” Rauch clearly liked what he saw. In October, Bundy joined GL and deferred her NYU admission.

And postponing college for a job that she loves suits Bundy just fine. Says the actress, “I was going to college to have something to fall back on!”

Bundy fondly remembers touring with Marie Osmond in The Sound of Music. (Osmond was Maria; Bundy played van Trapp daughter Louisa). “Marie’s a sweet, genuine person, but she’s also a cutup,” reveals Bundy. “When she did her curtain call, she would stick [newspaper] headlines on her butt like, ‘Clinton and Lewinsky!’ When she would bow, all the kids would be hysterical. The people [in the audience] would always comment on how happy the von Trapp children were.”

FAR LEFT: “This outfit is a little too mature for Marah,” says Dudley. “I’ll but it, but use is on another character.” Shirt and skirt by Tahari.

LEFT: “I love the brightness of this shirt, and that it has a v-neck,” remarks Bundy. “Round necks aren’t flattering on me.” Adds Dudley, “We do jeans whenever we can, but we don’t want to overdo it. We try to keep an even keel with Marah’s clothes because her actions are all over the map --- like most girls her age.” Shirt and jeans by Theory

RIGHT: The sequin top caught Bundy’s eye right away. “I love things that are a little bit flamboyant,” she explains. “Because everyone wears black in New York, an outfit like this really makes someone stand out.” Shirt by Vivienne Tam; jeans by Theory

FAR RIGHT: “These colors are fabulous! Very chic,” enthuses Bundy. “I won’t use this dress a lot, but it’s great for a specialty show,” says Dudley. Dress by Vivienne Tam

With talent, beauty and soul, Laura Bell Bundy’s cup runneth over!

When in the presence of Laura Bell Bundy, one can’t help but feel enriched. Her positive energy, effervescent nature and generous spirit envelop those around her, allowing them to bask in her golden glow.

Searching for her Soul

The ethereal Kentucky-born beauty is not a saint. Rather, she is a young woman who --- through a combination of introspection and an openness to the possibilities of life --- has attained a state of grace based on her faith. “The most important three letter word is God. It’s how I’ve lived my life,” declares the actress. “My life is based on my relationship with God. My purpose for being is of spiritual nature. When you focus your life in a spiritual way or whatever you focus your life on, it makes all the other decisions so much easier,” she claims. “You can see thing so clearly and it’s such a great path. If the path happens to be of love and goodness, you know you’re not going to make that many mistakes. The mistakes you do make help you to be more loving, better. I embrace mistakes now. I embrace the times that I have been a total jerk to people,” effuses Bundy.

All You Need Is Love

The talented thespian didn’t reach her present outlook overnight. “Ever since I was young, I’ve felt that I’ve had a special calling of some kind,” she admits. “I’ve been on this search my whole life to find what’s true to me. It’s led me to this conclusion --- that all faiths, no matter what they are, are based on the concept of love. It is the most sacred thing and the easiest thing. I try to love all things and all people,” Bundy asserts.

Finding The Way

Bundy’s philosophy on life is quite remarkable, especially since she is a child of divorce. “It was very difficult for me,” she reveals. “My issue in my parents divorcing was not judging and forgiving. I held grudges for this person against that person. I didn’t understand the whole thing that was going on. I was hearing two different sides of an extreme story.” However, Bundy has dealt with her parents’ divorce much differently than her GL alter ego Marah. “I can relate to Marah,” she states. Marah has additional issues to deal with on top of Josh and Reva’s break-up, like their new partners Olivia and Noah, respectively. “Marah was always Daddy’s girl. She was the woman in his life, besides her mom --- she’s the only one Marah could accept,” Bundy analyzes. “If there was going to be any woman in Josh’s life, it’s going to be Marah, not this other person who’s taking her away from her father, the person who’s been raising her,” she argues. “Reva hasn’t always been around. Marah is used to her doing impulsive things. Marah likes Noah because he’s cool and doesn’t try to get into her life. Olivia puts her fingers in everything and tries to control every situation. Noah doesn’t. He just follows Reva’s tornado. Olivia marks a tornado by trying to control her,” explains Bundy.

Inspiring Outlets

When the actress is not busy with the CBS soap, her creative juices continue to flow. Aside from her noteworthy acting skills, Bundy is a budding author. “I’m writing sort of a teenage survival guide kind of thing. Actually, Brittany Snow (ex-Susan), inspired me. I’ve been thinking about all the different things I want to write about and I keep going back to spirituality being the key,” she explains. “So I’m writing a book for the young person’s soul and about the relationship with God or a higher power.”

Bundy is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, developing music with her partner Amber Rhodes. In fact, Bundy recently performed the original song “Dreams” on GL. “They told me I had to sing a song on the show, a lullaby,” she relates. “I told them I write music, that I could write a lullaby. When I found out the storyline, I said, ‘I wrote the perfect song for this.’ So I got together with Amber and we worked on it. I went to the music department and (GL executive producer) Paul Rauch and told them there was a song I want to do. They said bring in a CD and I did. They all loved the song and Marah sang it to Tony (Jordi Vilasuso). I’m thinking of selling it on my website,” reveals the multi-talented performer.

It’s quite apparent that the path Bundy has chosen is definitely the right one for her. And through her faith, she’s been blessed with the most valuable treasures that life has to offer.