“Til Death” actress Joely Fisher is speaking out about the importance of adopting children from right here in the U.S. as opposed to seeking kids from other countries. Fisher, whose family grew by one last month when she and her husband adopted a girl, Olivia, from South Central L.A., says that through her work as an ambassador for Save the Children, she learned that most foreign countries don’t want people taking their needy children out of their country- instead they’d like help sustaining their countries so these kids can grow up there.

Over a month after adopting an African-American baby from the Los Angeles area, Joely Fisher talks to Star about the importance of adopting domestically.

Star told you first that the ‘Til Death star and her husband Chris Duddy adopted a baby girl, Olivia Luna Fisher-Duddy, from South Central Los Angeles. Now, Joely reveals what went into her decision.

“I always thought that I would adopt,” the actress told Star at the TotSpot.com launch part at the Treehouse Social Club. “I’ve had many friends go into China, Africa or wherever [to adopt]. I went to Africa — not in search of a baby, as Ambassador for Save the Children — and they don’t really want you to take their children. They want to sustain. They want to have a way to keep their countries prospering and have happy, healthy children. It’s tough over there.”

So when Joely and Chris decided to add to their family, they didn’t have to look further than their home state. “There are 70,000 children in foster care in the state of California,” she says. “That’s 7-0. It’s unbelievable! There are many children in our own city that need parents.”

[From Star]

Joely also has two biological children. I think she was very diplomatic here – she didn’t disparage foreign adoption or people who choose that route, but instead pointed out the need for adoptive parents domestically.

Joely Fisher, star of the FOX sitcom ‘Til Death, has adopted a baby with her husband, Christopher Duddy. The couple have four biological children between them already. Fisher is the daughter of actress Connie Francis and actor Eddie Fisher, and half-sister to actress Carrie Fisher. She has been active in childrens charity causes, including serving as an ambassador to Save The Children, for the African country of Mozambique, and promotion of the Kids Care Clubs, a non-profit organization encouraging kids and parents to volunteer.

Actress Joely Fisher and husband Christopher Duddy have adopted a newborn baby girl named Olivia Luna Fisher-Duddy, her rep told Usmagazine.com.

“The Fisher-Duddy’s other children Cameron 22, Collin 20, Skylar 7 and True, pushing 3, are blissfully happy and enjoying their new baby sister,” the rep said.

Fisher, 40, stars in the Fox sitcom ‘Til Death and appeared on Desperate Housewives. She and Duddy, a cinematographer, have been married since 1996.

Details of Olivia’s birthmother remain private.

[From US Weekly]

Joely and her family join the ranks of other celebs who chose to adopt, such as Mary Louise Parker, Meg Ryan, Madonna, Sheryl Crow and of course Brangelina. I guess “adoption fever” really has taken over Hollywood- and that’s not such a bad thing. If you’ve got the means to raise a child and give it a great life, why not?

Joely Fisher and her daughter, True, who just turned two at the time of this photo, are shown at the Horton Hears A Who! premiere on 3/8/08. Credit: WENN