`Profiler' Actress Roma Maffia Wasn't A Child Star

Q: Please give us some information on Roma Maffia, who is on "Profiler." My daughter thinks she might have been a child actress.

A: Though she's loved acting since high school, the Manhattan native didn't turn pro until she left college to perform in Off-Broadway and regional theater productions.

After 15 years on the stage, she credits director Ron Howard for "discovering" her when he cast her in his feature film "The Paper."

Maffia moved to Los Angeles in 1993 and won the part of Michael Douglas' gutsy lawyer in "Disclosure." Next, producer David Kelley hired her for his then-new "Chicago Hope" TV series.

After a year as Angela on the series, she did more feature films ("Nick of Time," "Eraser," "Kiss the Girls") and plays Grace Alvarez on NBC's Saturday night "Profiler."

Q: For the past few weeks, "Dawson's Creek" has been all reruns. I was wondering if there are going to be any more new episodes this season.

A: The Tuesday-night series returns with new episodes starting Tuesday to wrap up its first season.

The show is the young WB network's biggest hit to date, the No. 1 series on any network among female teens, and it already has been renewed for a second season, along with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "7th Heaven." Look for "Dawson's" season finale May 19.

Q: I adore "7th Heaven." Please tell me about the show's theme song. Who sings it?

A: The "7th Heaven" theme song is sung by Steve Plunkett. He

was the lead singer for the '80s rock band Autograph.

Q: Is "Law & Order's" Steven Hill the same actor who led the "Mission: Impossible" team before Peter Graves (as Phelps)?

A: Hill, 76, played Daniel Briggs, the first leader of the "M:I" team back in the series' first season (1966-67).

An Orthodox Jew, he left the show when the shooting schedule conflicted with his observance of the Sabbath.

Now he's the only original cast member left on NBC's "Law & Order," playing District Attorney Adam Schiff since the series' 1990 premiere.

Q: I'm a fan of Ben Foster from Disney's "Fast Forward." I was excited to see him in the recent TV movie "I've Been Waiting for You." I was hoping you could tell me something about him.

A: Ben, 17, is relatively new to the acting business. He was cast in Disney's "Fast Forward" series in 1995 after winning a talent-search contest.

His goal is to direct something he's written. His latest TV movie, the teen thriller "I've Been Waiting for You," co-starred some other young TV stars, including "Roseanne's" Sarah Chalke, "Punky Brewster's" Soleil Moon Frye and Christian Campbell, older brother of "Party of Five's" Neve.

Q: Would someone tell me what happened to Ralph Carter, who played Michael on "Good Times." I've seen all other cast members except him.

A: Carter has dropped out of sight since his "Good Times" days (1974-79) as younger brother Michael Evans. He turns 37 May 30. Send your questions about TV to: The Dallas Morning News, Communications Center, P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, Texas 75265. Sorry, no personal replies.