Actress at home in role of commercial broker: Blanche Baker Magill, Sierra Realty.

Today's market is enough to scare off the best of them, but after years of acting experience under her belt, commercial broker Blanche Baker Magill--unfazed by uncertainty--has learned she performs best when her back's to the wall.

After spending two years at Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy, the Emmy-Award winning actress has joined Sierra Realty Corp., where she continues to build a niche on a real estate stage that few women have dared to.

"As an actor, you never know where your next check is coming from, so I think people from this business are used to that," Baker said. "I'm used to having to be flexible and having creative ways of doing things--I've never been one to have my name on the door."

Spending just two years in the real estate industry, Baker is handling the unprecedented downturn with tremendous aplomb, along with the demise of her employer, which went under last month.

Upon hearing rumblings that NRT was going to buy Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy, Baker took action swiftly. Recognizing that NRT does not have a commercial division, and fearful of staying with a "sinking ship," Baker made the move to Sierra, where she was impressed by the firm's ethics and its ability to post profits amid this uncertain market.

"I think as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, it's not in my personality to sit and wait and see what happens," Baker said, which brings us back to her acting career and her unique segue into real estate.

Born in Manhattan, Baker moved around the globe as a child. Daughter to acclaimed actress, Carroll Baker, and director Jack Garfein, enthusiasm for the entertainment business was somewhat inherent.

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While a student at Wellesley College, Baker auditioned for a production at Yale Repertory Theatre while visiting her brother who studied there. After earning the part, she enjoyed acting so much that she never returned to Wellesley. And it was while performing at Yale Repertory that she was "discovered" for a part in a television drama, working alongside Meryl Streep.

In her early 20s, Baker was cast as the daughter for the "Holocaust" miniseries. The production was quite an undertaking at the time and it inspired her to rediscover her roots, visiting Eastern Europe to learn more about the plight of her father's family.

"At the time, it was groundbreaking to have something run that long ... and it had a lot of meaning to me," Baker said.

The role earned her an Emmy Award.

She also landed a part in the coming-of-age classic "Sixteen Candles," among other on-camera and theatre roles. But after marrying and having four children, Baker was ready to focus on family life.

"After the point where I had three kids under the age of nine, I could barely make it to the mailbox--let alone an audition," Baker said.

Once her children grew up, Baker was ready to return to her career, but also found that, with age, there are fewer roles available. With actors often turning to hospitality or real estate, she opted for the latter. Recognizing how few women work in the commercial sector, she saw a real opportunity to carve a niche there.

As a result, female business owners find they identify with Baker--and so do international clients. With such an atypical childhood--attending school in places like Switzerland and Rome--and speaking fluent Italian and French, many foreign investors tap Baker for their New York real estate needs. She most recently shopped an Israeli investor around the Catskills via helicopter.

"I think you can always take advantage of turbulent times; I have a lot of buyers who are looking," Baker said.

She has continued to close deals amid the down-turn, including two recent building sales topping $10 million. Past deals include a commercial condo sale for Abco Records and the sale of 34 Avenue A, the site of a Mo Pitkins' club.

Baker credits her success to understanding people and relationships--and never letting an awkward moment get in the way of a deal.

"The ability to improvise can come in handy. As an actor, you never leave a huge gap between anything: You're quick on your feet," Baker said.

And the flexibility afforded with working in an independent business like real estate, allows her to continue balancing acting, albeit less aggressively. She's currently starring in an independent film, "Whisper Me a Lullaby."

"The ups and downs [of acting] don't get me the way they did when I was younger," said Baker, who also enjoys harvesting honey and sculpting in her free time. "Now, I have a more laissez-faire approach."