Kelly Kruger
		On Top of the World Kelly Kruger (Mac), is living out her dream each day at Y&R

	THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Mac Browning recently escaped with her life after being kidnapped and held at knifepoint by her wretched stepfather, Ralph, and her portrayer, Kelly Kruger, admits the scenes were harrowing. "It was tough stuff, very emotional, very wrenching. But I think we did a good job, and I’m pleased with how it all worked out." That's even though the actor who played Ralph has exited the Genoa City scene. "Daniel [Quinn] was sweet and a great actor." Kruger is also dealing with another absence, that of her on-screen mother, Amanda, played by Denice Duff. "That was hard. I love Denice like a mother, and I can’t believe she’s gone." Kruger was visibly upset that her relationship with her on-screen mum would never be the same. "It won’t," she maintains. "We saw each other almost every day, and now that Denice is gone and moving on with other projects, I know in my heart that we just won’t have that same connection. It will change. We’ll still see each other, but it just won’t be the same." Sunny Side Up The Canadian-born Kruger is used to making the most of life’s lemons, having been raised by her mother alone, and only now reconnecting with her real-life father. "We spent some time together in New York during Emmy week, and it was important and nice. We had a nice time together." While she is certainly intent on repairing her father-daughter relationship, the two most important influences in her life remain her mother and her maternal grandmother. "My mom is so incredible. She has always been my greatest fan. She has supported me in everything. "My grandma is exactly what a grandma should be: warm and loving and the best!" she adds. Great Imagination While Kruger’s formative years may have been rocky at times, she was a happy little girl enjoying a world of fantasy. "My entire childhood was make-believe. I laugh today, but back then, it was serious stuff. I pretended there were cameras in my room, following me around all day. Once I got out of bed every morning, my life was like a movie." Her road in life seemed to be taking her in one direction: Tinseltown! "I knew as a very young girl that I wanted to be an actress. My classmates kept saying the place I belonged was Hollywood." Her first break came when she was 17: The renowned Elite modeling agency approached her about doing print work. "I was scared. I had been this sheltered girl growing up in Montreal. Everything was new and exciting, but still, a little daunting." Kruger was traveling for her work but yearned for her home life. "I missed my brother, my stepfather — everyone; it was very hard to leave. I was very homesick." On Her Own The aspiring actress frequently returned home. "Every month or two. But then I realized it was too hard emotionally. I’d have to say good-bye all over again." Her trips back to Montreal grew less frequent, and her work picked up. She booked a reality-based show called ARREST AND TRIAL. "I played a rape victim." Then she won roles on TITANS, and UNDRESSED for MTV. Just before booking Y&R, Kruger signed on to do an independent film based on a true story, called The Vampire Clan. "I played Heather, whose parents are killed by her friends who believe they are indeed vampires. While shooting, we'd look at each other and we'd be like, ‘These kids really sucked each other's blood?’" When she landed Y&R, Kruger felt that all the sacrifice was worth it. "To be working every day, improving my craft and learning is so important." She is, however, pragmatic. "This could end, and I’d be on to the next project. But that’s okay. That’s what this business is about." In the meantime, the young woman from chilly Canada says she’s on top of the world. — Karre Jacobs