Holidash HotList - Marissa Jaret Winokur

    MARISSA JARET WINOKUR won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance in Hairspray. She had previously appeared on Broadway as "Pink Lady Jan" in the revival of Grease.

    Winokur has also played roles in films such as American Beauty, Never Been Kissed, Teaching Mrs. Tingle, Scary Movie, Beautiful Girl (for ABC Family), Fever Pitch and most recently on Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 6).

    Marissa returns to Hairspray December 9, 2008 - January 4, 2009 -- several years after leaving the show. You can also catch her in her new show, "Dance Your Ass Off!," which premieres on the Oxygen Channel Summer 2009.

    During the early development stages of Hairspray, Winokur was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She underwent treatment for the disease, without revealing her condition to anyone except her immediate family out of fear that she would be replaced in the musical. Ultimately she made a full recovery and remained in the show.

    Winokur married Judah Miller on October 7, 2006. In March 2008, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child, a boy to be named Zev, via a surrogate mother and that the pregnancy was five months along. Zev Isaac Miller was born July 22, 2008.

    Holidash asked Marissa about her holiday memories and plans and this is what she had to say ....

    Courtesy of Marissa Jaret Winokur

    HOLIDASH: What are your favorite holiday memories?

    MARISSA: One of my favorite holiday memories is singing at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting!!

    Marissa arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Focus Features' 'Milk' held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on November 13, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.

    Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for THR

    HOLIDASH: What are your cherished or most fun holiday traditions?

    MARISSA: My most cherished holiday tradition was going to my Godmother's house every Christmas morning. She recently passed away so it's definitely a very good memory.

    Marissa arrives at Stand Up For Cancer at The Kodak Theatre on September 5, 2008 in Hollywood, California.

    Kevin Winter/Getty Images

    HOLIDASH: What is one of the best and worst gifts you ever received?

    MARISSA: The worst Christmas gift ever was when I was 14, when my mother bought me a really terrible winter coat. The best present I ever received was a pair of Harry Winston diamond earrings from my husband, Judah.

    Marissa arrives at the premiere of 'Bigger, Stronger, Faster' at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California.

    Kevin Winter/Getty Images

    HOLIDASH: What is the worst gift you ever gave?

    MARISSA: The WORST gift I've ever given is an extra large shirt to a friend who thinks she's still a medium!

    Marissa attends the 100th Episode of 'Dancing With The Stars' at the Day After on May 6, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

    Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

    HOLIDASH: What are you planning for the holidays this year?

    MARISSA: It's our first holiday with our baby Zev. Anything we do will be memorable!

    Marissa attends New Line Cinema's 40th Anniversary celebration at Lincoln Center's Fredrick P. Rose Hall in New York City.

    Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

    HOLIDASH: What do you hope to find in your stocking this year?

    MARISSA: The new Sprint Blackberry!!!

    Marissa attends Sony Pictures' premiere of '30 Days of Night' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

    Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images