Actress and former Kodiakan talks Kodiak with Jimmy Kimmel

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — An actress who spent the first years of her life in Kodiak and now plays a lead role on the hit ABC TV show “Scandal” appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night to talk about coming to Kodiak this summer and receiving a key to the city.

Darby Stanchfield, who plays Abby on “Scandal,” told Kimmel that she was born in Kodiak, lived there until she was 7 years old and then moved to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor.

“Really, I think the only thing I know about Kodiak is that the chewing tobacco is from there, right?” Kimmel said.

“And the Kodiak bear,” Stanchfield replied.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Last summer, Stanchfield arrived in Kodiak to film a documentary and while here, was presented with a key to the City of Kodiak by Mayor Pat Branson. “I hadn’t been back (in Kodiak) in 30 years,” Stanchfield told Kimmel.

She toured Alaska as part of a Discover America documentary series that features celebrities touring their home state.

“It was basically between me and Sarah Palin,” Stanchfield said. “You have to be from the state, and ‘Scandal’ right now is a little, you know, maybe hotter than Sarah Palin, so I got to go.”

During the filming, Stanchfield said she went fishing, bear watching, drank water from a glacier and took helicopter flights, most of which, except for the fishing, she hadn’t done before. When she arrived in Kodiak, Stanchfield received a Facebook message from a local woman, Fru Finn, who wanted to set up a time for Stanchfield to receive the key to the city.

Finn told the Daily Mirror that she’s a huge “Scandal” fan and got to pose with Stanchfield as “gladiators,” a term for the heroes in the series. Stanchfield ignored the message at first, she told Kimmel, but Finn showed up at the airport during filming and set it up.

“She really ‘gladiated’ the entire situation,” Stanchfield said.

It happened atop Pillar Mountain, Stanchfield told Kimmel, after shooting a dinner scene for the documentary during a rainstorm.

On Jimmy Kimmel, Stanchfield showed off the key, including the city logo prominently displayed in the handle.

“It’s not bad looking, by the way,” Kimmel said. “What does this entitle you to then?”

“You know, I don’t know,” Stanchfield responded. “I don’t know what it opens.”

Kimmel asked how many other people have the key to the city, and Stanchfield pointed out a key to the city website and 1-800 number on the back of the key.

“If you really want to order one, you probably could just call them up and get your own made,” Stanchfield said.

“You’re going to use this to open a door and there’s going to be a whole bunch of other people in there,” Kimmel joked. “This is probably real gold, right?”

“I would hope so, it’s Alaska!” Stanchfield responded. The two also joked about being able to fish with the key using it as a lure to catch salmon, Kimmel said.

“A very big salmon,” Stanchfield replied.

The online clip of Stanchfield on Jimmy Kimmel Live can be viewed on YouTube.

More in Life

The winning designs of the Second Annual City of Soldotna I Voted Sticker Contest are displayed. (Graphics courtesy City of Soldotna)
Winners announced for Soldotna voting sticker design contest

The voting stickers will be available at Soldotna polling locations during the Oct. 1 municipal election.

A screenshot of a photo from the rescue's Facebook page shows Sushi, a cat looking for a home for over two years now. (Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Cat Rescue)
Southcentral cat rescue seeking foster homes, adopters for stray felines

In 2024, the organization helped rescue 589 cats.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: I should have known better

It all started off rather quietly.

Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.
Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 3

Stephan “Steve” Melchior sent a friend to Katherine to tell her that he had died in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Living like lambs (in the midst of wolves)

The only chance lambs have of survival is if they have a shepherd watching over them, guarding them, protecting them.

A healthy dose of shredded cheddar makes the veggies in this soup palatable even for the most sensitive diner. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Something warm and comforting

This mild and nutritious soup is full of fiber and vitamins, plus a healthy dose of shredded cheddar.

Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
68th Annual Progress Days events to take place this weekend

The celebration includes events around town from Wednesday through Sunday.

Artist Ingrid McKinstry stands next to her current mixed media exhibit and her work available year-round at Fireweed Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ingrid McKinstry
An exploration of curiosity

Homer artist showcases new and previously completed mixed media pieces.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
Salmonfest to return for 15th year of fish, love and music

This year’s festival will take place from Aug. 1-3 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik.

Most Read