After starring opposite Sydney Sweeney in “Euphoria” and Kaley Cuoco in “The Flight Attendant,” Alanna Ubach will next be seen in Seth MacFarlane’s Peacock comedy series, “Ted.”
“I play Susan Bennett, [who is] Max Burkholder’s mom, Giorgia Whigham’s aunt, and Scott Grimes’ wife,’” Ubach said. “She’s all heart, kooky and finds joy in everything. Susan is someone I’d love to bake holiday pies with. We filmed ‘Ted’ on the Universal Studios lot in Los Angeles – about a stone’s throw away from my all-time favorite theme park ride, Jaws! I kept pinching myself every time I’d hear screams and laughter coming from the trams.”
A resident of L.A., the actress stays in touch with fans on Instagram (@AlannaUbach).
Q: Do you enjoy filming on set?
A: Filming on set is comforting, knowing that I’ll be heading home in time for dinner with my family. I also love sleeping in my own bed. Most jobs send me out of town. I never leave without packing my pillow.
Q: What was it like growing up in a multicultural household?
A: My father had a thick Puerto Rican accent. He moved to Los Angeles when he was 19. My mother, on the other hand, did not have an accent because she moved to Los Angeles from Mexico when she was three. My mother and father only spoke Spanish when they didn’t want me to know what they were talking about. I picked up my father’s Puerto Rican accent and my mother’s go-to dance moves. We also spent every New Year’s in San Juan when I was a child. I grew up with the best of both Latin worlds.
Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned?
A: I’m about to attain my Spanish citizenship. My grandfather was born and raised in Malaga, Spain. I hope to live and work there some day. Ancestry.com has been helpful in finding all of the birth, marriage and death certificates needed to make it happen.
Q: What work destination would you like to return to for a personal trip?
A: I haven’t been to London since the “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde” press junket! I fell in love with London. I may be heading back there soon. This time I plan on visiting as many little towns as my Euro Rail card allows.
Q: What were some of the challenges working as a mom?
A: I was pregnant during the last season of “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” which was special, but challenging. I had an easy pregnancy, so I was very lucky. We shot in Vancouver, Canada. I lived there on and off for three years. I always tell my son that he was a recurring guest star before he was born. He’s six now. When I travel for work, I always make sure to send him funny videos and have breakfast and dinner with him via FaceTime.
Q: What is your favorite weekend getaway?
A: I love San Francisco. There’s so much to do in the city! The food, the people, the cable cars, the history, the wharf – great fun, especially for a six year old.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Sweden. It was like exploring another planet.
Q: How do you separate work from vacation trips?
A: I always give myself the weekends to explore the cities I’m working in. I’m the geek who hops on tour buses and wears gas station sunglasses and ill-fitting sun hats.
Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: Luang Prabang is a city in Laos that has to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever laid eyes on. Buddhist temples from the 16th century will leave you awestruck.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: I’ve learned that family, laughter, love, good food and great conversations are five universal needs.
Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?
A: That depends on what I’m in the mood for. A food truck is great when I’m alone and can enjoy my meal as I’m walking or sitting on a park bench. In a restaurant, I don’t have to compete with the city noise when I’m having a conversation. I also get a kick out of eavesdropping and seeing what the people sitting at the table next to me have ordered. And oh, do I love a charismatic server.
Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: The best trip I ever took for the holidays was a trip to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. It’s a beautiful colonial town filled with smart art galleries, antique stores, old cathedrals and expats.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I went to a French high school and didn’t realize how well I knew my French until I was traveling in Europe. I had an hour-long conversation with this very chatty Parisian cab driver. I couldn’t believe it! I’ve unfortunately lost all of my French. I never really had another opportunity to exercise that muscle. Nowadays, I use the Pimsleur app to brush up on my Spanish. It’s the perfect lesson if you easily retain information via audio.
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: San Juan, New York, Stockholm, Hanoi and Venice.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: I have never been to Florence. The Palazzo, medieval treasures, Renaissance art! It’s called Florence syndrome for a reason.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: My probiotics, walking shoes, one nice dress and heels, sunblock, floss, wet wipes, Band-Aids, and a small tube of Neosporin for chapped lips and abrasions, thank you very much.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: When I’m on the road, I love to download albums I haven’t listened to in years. The Psychedelic Furs, Grace Jones and Roxy Music always accompany me in the car on the way to my sister’s house in Palm Springs.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A: The Lonely Planet is my go-to. I also like to hit up friends and family that have already been there and can recommend places to go.
Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A: I loved the movie “Gigi” when I was a kid. My mom made reservations for Maxim’s when we were in Paris on a European vacation. I stole the menus and teacups. They’re still hidden in my hope chest! Getting sick is never fun when you’re on vacation. A few months ago, I was in Kona, Hawaii, with my husband and son. I had the cough from hell. While they were snorkeling and enjoying luaus, I was cooped up in the hotel room watching sitcom reruns and drinking tea. No bueno.
(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow “Go Away With…” on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)
©2023 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.