She's known for her roles in Basic Instinct and Casino.  But in Meadville, she's known as a hometown girl.


On Thursday, actress Sharon Stone made her way back to Meadville, to speak at the 46th annual Greater Meadville Area Day dinner.


"People here are so lovely, and such ladies and such gentlemen, and so open, and so kind,” said Stone.  “You know, you need a lot of that when you work in such a tough business as I do."


During her visit, Stone touched on a number of topics, including her acting career.


"There's something amazing about putting yourself aside and allowing another kind of personality to live inside you,” said Stone.  “It gives you a whole different perspective about the world and it allows you to really have a great understanding of humanity."


Stone also discussed her humanitarian efforts and contributions to the American Foundation for Aids Research (amfAR).


"The majority of life extending drugs and now, the cure for infants, has come from amfAR research,” said Stone.  “So yes, we've made extraordinary breakthroughs.


I also asked her about the death of Robin Williams.


"Robin was my neighbor and he just lived a few doors down from us in San Francisco,” said Stone.  “We loved him, and of course, we're really sad, and our heart goes out to his family and his closer friends who are going to be just so devastated without him."


Despite all of her success, the former Miss Crawford County will tell you.  There's no place like home.


“It's really true,” said Stone.  “There's no place like home, to make you feel whole.  It's really wonderful to be home."