My dad [Phil Silvers] made a guest appearance on one episode of Happy Days (1974), playing Jenny's father. It was magic. I'd always heard people talk about how exciting it was to work with my dad and I got to see why. He was really special. It was the only time we got to work together.

It [Happy Days (1974)] couldn't have been a better initiation into the business. They were like one big happy family when I arrived, and they took me into their family. Everyone on the show was supportive and kind. I've done a lot of TV series work since and I've never had the situation duplicated.

Sons and daughters of doctors, dentists and lawyers go to their fathers' offices. I went to movie and stage sets. I went to Beverly Hills High School and most of my friends' parents were in the business, too. Milton Berle lived next door to us and Lucille Ball lived at the end of the block. I grew up thinking acting was what everyone did.

When I was filming Sgt. Bilko (1996), I had the feeling that he [my father, Phil Silvers] was there watching over us. For me it was overwhelming to be part of something my father had created. It was as heartwarming as it was fun. With all due respect to Steve Martin, he's just not my father. He was wise not to try to imitate what my father did. He created his own Bilko.