Those who fall into the younger age bracket will probably offer a blank stare at the mention of the name Carolyn Steyn. But people over 30 will no doubt remember her stellar roles and routines as part of the now-defunct Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (Pact), and as the voice behind the newsreader's mic on Martin Locke's Radio 5 (now 5fm) morning show.
You may have a little difficulty recognising the face that stares out at you from the small screen, however, given that the former brunette has gone blonde and exchanged some of her flawed features for surgically-corrected ones.
And if you're wondering about the surname, yes, it does denote a link to Douw Steyn, the infamous founder of the Auto & General small insurance company and the man who once referred to Jozi's luxury Saxon Hotel as his private home (he converted it to a 26-suite hideaway in 2000).
Although she was only married to him for five months, their romance lasted seven years - an experience she says was "volatile very unhealthy".
The only other information she'll offer on the affair is they spent the greater part of their relationship living in London, where rather than put her acting skills to the test in a city home to the world-renowned West End theatre industry, she shopped and socialised. If not, why not, right?
We caught up with Carolyn at her plush penthouse in Joburg's well-to-do suburb of Sandton and after finally managing to shift through the mountain of dog-print cushions on the couch, we settled down for a spot of afternoon tea, dahling.
As she told us about her life's journey to date and her time in the States (where she was married to first husband, film director William A Levey and spent 10 years trying to carve an international career for herself), what most struck me about Carolyn is her seeming self-awareness. Here's an attractive woman who's rubbed shoulders with the likes of Kate Hudson, Robert DeNiro and Bill Clinton (as the clutter of framed photos on the display table reveals) and who, by her own admission, has lived the high life thanks to her exes' extensive wealth.
Yet, despite these realities and the fact that she received us decked out in designer everything (right down to the handbag, which she paradoxically carried around in her own home), she repeatedly required assurance regarding her appearance and was concerned if she was coming across as "ditzy". Guess even filthy rich, good-looking gals have their issues
All of which may seem a far cry from her confident Generations character, Barbara, but Carolyn herself jokingly pondered if Miss B hadn't actually been based on her. "She (Barbara) is a bit of a kugel. She loves big jewels - which is definitely me - and designer bags and she's just come out of a very bad marriage, so she's reached a point in her life where she just wants to have fun and that's exactly where I am," she told Tonight. "She's more man-hungry than I am, though. I'm not involved with anyone at the moment - I'm involved with having fun!"
Ah well, perhaps Carolyn's initial reservation was simply due to being conscious of the camera and the fact her every word was being recorded, because the minute the equipment was switched off, the wild side started to show and comments were flying fast and furious Pity we can't publish them though (damn that off-the-record rule)!
- Catch Carolyn on Generations, weekdays, SABC1 at 8pm.
