About The Authors

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Michael and Susan met playing opposite each other in the Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. As the passionate revolutionary, Michael was a natural and Susan’s candor and humor brought Hodel’s daring into full bloom. The couple received great notices. They married five years later in 1975 and happily parented their two daughters, Marika and Helena.

An Emmy Award winner, Zaslow was most famous for creating daytime’s ultimate villain, “Guiding Light’s” Roger Thorpe. So popular was Zaslow’s character that fans continued to clamor for emotional closure and nearly seven years after his death, Michael returned to “Guiding Light” in flashbacks of old scenes.

After his diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 1997, Michael returned to ABC’s “One Life to Live” as David Renaldi, a role he had created in 1982. Because of ABC’s creative compassionate position, Michael appeared in his former role as a man living with ALS. Not since New York Yankee Lou Gehrig had there been such media attention to this most devastating of neurological diseases. As David, Michael put a face on ALS for millions of viewers. In no small part due to his tireless efforts to raise awareness and funds for research, funds for ALS research have increased by 300% .

Michael appeared in numerous Broadway plays, including Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Ironically, his last stage appearance was at the Pittsburgh Light Opera where he portrayed the loquacious speech pathologist, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. Michael’s films include the starring role in You Light Up My Life. He was not only an accomplished actor but a song writer, writer and political activist. He served on the National Board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and on the board of the Creative Coalition where he campaigned for affordable health care. He was a recipient of the Annie Glenn award for serving as an inspiration to people with speech disabilities and was honored by the New York Chapter of the Academy of Arts and Sciences with the Silver Circle Award. Michael spent his life advocating for others so it was only natural that when he learned he had ALS, his response was proactive. Together with Susan and his dear friend Brynn Thayer, Michael formed ZazAngels, dedicated to raising awareness about and a cure for ALS.

Following a successful career as an actress, Hufford turned to writing. She has published over twenty books, including, Going All The Way, Reflections and Miracles for E.P. Dutton. Together with Zaslow she wrote for several daytime shows.

Since the formation of ZazAngels, Hufford has produced five successful Broadway theater benefits with stars such as Alec Baldwin, Blythe Danner, Brian Dennehy, Lea Solanga, Elaine Stritch and Ben Vereen, to name a few. Fund from these benefits have supported major ALS research. As a psychotherapist, Ms. Hufford has a private clinical practice in Manhattan. She serves on the board of the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter as well as serving as a Trustee on the board of the National ALS Association.