This was a tough column to write.

Because where do you start with a legend like Bernadette Peters?

We’re talking about a two-time Tony-winner, seven-time nominee, who’s starred in some 16 Broadway shows and been in more films and TV shows than I can list in about eight pages.

With a resume a mile long in TV, films and stage, you know Peters from something — whether its her masterful interpretation of Stephen Sondheim works, classic movies like “The Jerk” and “Annie,” and hit shows like “Mozart in the Jungle,” (brilliant) “The Good Fight,” “Smash,” “Ugly Betty,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Will & Grace,” the list goes on… and on.

Oh, and she’s also a New York Times bestselling children’s author who donates the profits to a charity she started with her late friend, Mary Tyler Moore.

In reminiscing about her career with me, she mentions people like George Burns, Johnny Carson, Sid Cesar, Steve Martin, Dean Martin, Bob Hope.

She told me about a party at Gregory Peck’s house where she met Frank Sinatra…

I mean… #Icon.

Born Bernadette Lazzara in 1948 in Queens, her mother picked the stage name “Peters,” after her dad’s name, when she was just a little kid. Her IMDB goes back to when she a tiny kid on “Name That Tune.”

Peters, 71 — she clearly drinks from the fountain of youth — will sing some of her favorite songs for us at New Bedford’s Zeiterion March 30. If you love Broadway, you can’t miss out on this.

The interview is so good — from her interaction with George Burns to her recent African safari — I have to jump right in.

Daley: You just starred on “Hello Dolly” on Broadway. What was that like?

Peters: Oh, it was great. Such a beautifully constructed show. I saw Carol Channing the last time she did it, and I was blown away by her, but I didn’t realize how extraordinarily beautiful the show was until I was working on it.

Daley: You came in after Bette Midler.

Peters: She had said so me, “You should come in after me," and I went, “I don’t think so.”

Daley: [laughs] Right.

Peters: After you it’s anti-climatic. [laughs] [But] I read the original Thornton Wilder book, and the script, and thought you know, I see what this means to me, so I’ll do what it means to me.

Daley: I loved “Mozart in Jungle.”

Peters: Yeah, we didn’t get a season 5; we stopped at 4 because a whole new regime came in. It would’ve been nice to do one more season and wrap it all up. I loved working with Malcolm McDowell.

Daley: I tried to look through your resume, and it’s just — wow. What stands out to you?

Peters: I’ve been really lucky. I’ve had a lot of great shows. “Gypsy” (the musical) was a great show, I loved doing that. I worked with George Burns; I did one of the Gracie sketches with him.

Daley: That must’ve been amazing.

Peters: It was a thrill. He said, “Listen kid, don’t try to be funny. Gracie was a great tragedian actress.”

Daley: [laughs]

Peters: At one point, I’m doing this sketch, and I see his eyes relax, like "Oh, OK, this is good” and I knew I was home free. [laughs]

Daley: [laughs] So stage, TV, film — what’s your favorite medium?

Peters: You know, it’s wherever the writing is the best. That’s where I’ll go. It can be stage, film anywhere. Writing is the most important.

Daley: What drew you to acting when you were young? I know you started at age 5.

Peters: My mother said I sang in front of the television, which I probably did, because I loved music. Then I found myself on television but I didn’t know it was television because it was all live in those days. I just knew I went somewhere, and I was fantasizing, and these big machines were crossing in front of me. I tell you, it’s a great career. It’s a great release. A wonderful way to express yourself and be creative.

Daley: It seems like your mom knew you had talent from a very young age — I mean, changing your name, setting you up for a great career.

Peters: She did, and I have to thank her. She really put me on the road.

Daley: You’ve also written kids books. The profits go to your charity Broadway Barks.

Peters: That’s right, that goes to helping animal in shelters. I sell CDs on the road, that goes to animals in shelters.

Daley: What got you so passionate about animals?

Peters: I've always loved animals since I was a little girl. My father used to bring in birds with broken wings; he loved animals. I just had this passion.

One day I went to a kill shelter to see what was going on and we saw beautiful pedigree dogs, mixed dogs, just beautiful. They were fine dogs, just homeless. I knew they needed help and I enlisted my friend Mary Tyler Moore to start [the charity] with me.

Daley: Do you have dogs now?

Peters: Two. One for each hand. Charlie and Rosalie.

Daley [laughs] And how did you know Mary Tyler Moore?

Peters: I worked with her on a movie for television, “The Last Best Year,” and we became friends right away. We just connected. I just adored her.

Daley: You were in “The Jerk” with Steve Martin.

Peters: That was a great movie. Carl [Reiner] and Steve, I used to travel with them in the car, and they used to write the scenes in the car that day on the way to work.

Daley: Wow. And you travel a lot.

Peters: I do, I just took two vacations back-to-back which I never do. I went to Sicily, and then I went to Africa on safari. Then I went to Rwanda to see the gorillas. These gorgeous gentle giants. If the babies are curious, the babies may want to touch you but if a silverback is sitting there, they won't let you interact with the babies.

On safari, I walk into a park, and out comes an elephant. Or lions. Lying out on the Serengeti in the sun. I love animals and it’s so peaceful on safari. You’re in this Jeep, and you see giraffes, and you turn off the motor, and you hear nothing. They’re just walking around quietly, eating leaves and you’re in Heaven. You’re in God’s country.

Daley: You did voice work on “Animaniacs.” I loved that show as a kid.

Peters: It was so much fun. I hadn’t done voice before that, and people are just fans of “Animaniacs.” Rita and Runt.

Daley: Yes! [laughs] Have you ever done anything where you just can’t believe this is happening?

Peters: When I think back, I worked with Bob Hope, George Burns, Dean Martin. I was on Johnny Carson, and Merv Griffin.

Daley: Wow.

Peters: Oh, I met Sinatra at a party.

Daley: What? That’s incredible.

Peters: I met Frank Sinatra at Gregory Peck’s house. Now I’m thinking: how did I meet Gregory Peck? I don’t remember how that happened. But they were lovely people.

Daley: That’s incredible. Paul McCartney called you up once during a radio interview.

Peters: [laughs] Yeah, how did that happen? We both were doing an interview? Somehow I spoke to him. How did you find that? I forgot about that.

Daley: [laughs.] Anything you want to add?

Peters: No, I’m just wondering how you got that piece about Paul McCartney.

Interview has been edited and condensed.

Lauren Daley is a freelance writer and Spotlight music columnist. Contact her at ldaley33@gmail.com. Follow her at https://www.facebook.com/daley.writer She tweets @laurendaley1.

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