Marilu Henner Channels Her Unforgettable Memory into a Powerful True Story on Lifetime

Marilu Henner draws upon her resilient nature for her upcoming movie, A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story.

Set to debut on Saturday, September 13, this Lifetime feature chronicles the gripping real-life experience of Lisa Aguilar, who endured a horrific stabbing. Henner, portraying Lisa's grandmother, characterized her role as the story's ethical compass. "Everyone benefits from having an honest individual in their lives," the 73-year-old Henner revealed in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. "Therefore, I truly enjoyed embodying a character that served as the rational voice."

After dedicating more than five decades to show business, the Chicago-born star is selective about her current acting commitments, yet she recognized instantly her desire to participate in this production. "It's imperative for the public to witness this, as many individuals might feel exploited in their relationships without even recognizing it," she elaborated. Being an aunt and sister herself, empathizing with her character's situation came naturally, making her decision to join the ensemble an easy one.

Henner felt a deep connection to the film's theme and championed the necessity of highlighting such a significant subject. The collaborative effort of the cast and crew allowed her to maintain equilibrium during the demanding shoot. "I believe everyone involved felt positive about the script and the caliber of the production. There was absolutely no sense of triviality in this movie, none whatsoever. And I think that conveyed a very authentic, richly detailed, and appropriate feeling."

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Having completely absorbed herself in the part, the acclaimed actress conveyed to Us that her character's wardrobe was a key element in her portrayal. "As an actress, I always perceive myself as one circle, and my character as another, with a Venn diagram illustrating the overlap. The objective is to continuously expand that overlap until you embody the character entirely."

Throughout her career, she has amassed a personal archive of apparel and accessories from various productions, cherished mementos that hold profound sentimental value. Among these, a blue blouse presented by her mother in 1978 stands out as a particular favorite. Tragically, her mother passed shortly before Henner secured her memorable role as Elaine in Taxi, yet the blouse has endured as an invaluable memento. "I adored that blouse, which is why I wore it in the inaugural episode of Taxi; it meant so much to me." The garment continues to reside in her wardrobe today. "Every item is linked to a memory. I consider myself very attuned to memories, and I believe clothing resonates with your personal energy," she elaborated.

This observation holds particular significance for Henner. The actress possesses Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), enabling her to vividly recall every day of her existence. When questioned about the roles that have resonated most deeply with her, she confirms they are the characters who mirror her exceptional recall. Her involvement in the 1992 film Noises Off, where she portrayed Belinda Blair, was especially fulfilling. "Belinda is perpetually aware of every unfolding event. She understands everyone's role — who is involved with whom, and ultimately, she resolves the situation."

Her extraordinary memory has perfectly suited her for a profession demanding precise recall of scripts and cues, a gift she openly appreciates. The sole instance she questioned this ability was during her 2016 participation on Dancing With the Stars, where she partnered with professional dancer Derek Hough. "The only moment it felt like a disadvantage was when Derek Hough continually altered the choreography, as I could vividly recall the initial sequence," the actress quipped.

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Consequently, she often found ways to entertain herself during filming, even confessing to Us that she occasionally intentionally flubbed her lines while shooting Taxi. "However, I never managed to appear on the Taxi blooper reel, which genuinely frustrates me," she admitted.

What lies ahead for the Taxi luminary? She expresses a hopeful interest in a soap opera. "I've never acted in a soap opera. And people often ask, 'How could you not have done one, considering your memory?'" Despite her extensive career, she remains enthusiastic about conquering another professional milestone.

As the debut of A Husband to Die For approaches, she encourages audiences to connect emotionally with the narrative while viewing the movie. "It's a crucial film, and I believe its execution is so finely crafted that I hope the audience grasps its underlying message. And I anticipate you'll be captivated, given its compelling nature, particularly since it's based on a true story."

A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story will air on September 13 at 8/7c, exclusively on Lifetime.