Exclusive: Interview with Lorna Scott of "17 Again" and "Surviving Suburbia"

You might not know her name, but there’s a 99.99% chance that you’ve seen Lorna Scott either on the big screen in theaters or the small screen in your living room. The veteran character actor has been in dozens of movies and TV shows, and right now, she’s everywhere!

She plays a secretary in Zac Efron’s "17 Again" (in theaters this Friday), a secretary in "Bedtime Stories" (on DVD this week), and a neighbor on "Surviving Suburbia," Bob Saget’s new show airing Mondays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC. Read on for my exclusive interview with Lorna and her thoughts on working with Zac Efron, Adam Sandler, Bob Saget and Angelina Jolie.

JANE: So many actors are hit and miss, but you’ve been working steadily since the 1990s, and you’ve scored roles in so many movies and TV shows. Do you have a secret formula for working steadily all those years?

LORNA: Casting directors and producers want to feel secure when they hire you. They want to know they don’t have to worry about you when on set. So, you want to be as prepared as possible and remember, when you go into the room, they are on your side. They want you to do well. Also, I try to get along with everyone on set, no matter what.

JANE: You’ve built a career playing neighbors and peripheral characters. Is it fun to play a lot of different characters?

LORNA: I’m a character actor, so that’s what I do. I got into acting because I like playing different characters and showing a range of emotion for each role. Of course, some are more fun than others.

JANE: Bob Saget has been such a major force in the TV business for so long (my tween-aged daughter has watched "Full House" from start to finish about five times now, so I’m pretty familiar with Danny Tanner!). What’s it like being part of a Bob Saget show?

LORNA: It’s terrific. I LOVE BOB! He is great to work with, supportive, and he has a built-in audience … so that’s never bad. Plus, he’s constantly coming up with newer and funnier bits.

JANE: Is Bob Saget as foul-mouthed and as much of an off-color jokester as I’ve heard he is?! 

LORNA: Yes. But, not as much of one as I am. I can match him any day.

JANE: I just watched the first episode of "Surviving Suburbia."  Tell us a little about your character on the show.

LORNA: Monica (my character) is the cantankerous neighbor who is friends with Bob’s wife, but Bob, not so much… You will see more of their true relationship in the April 20th episode titled "DMV."

JANE: What’s up with playing a secretary in both "Bedtime Stories" and "17 Again"? Do you have that "secretarial" look?

LORNA: Well — that’s the kind of part written for character women. It’s what we’re offered.

JANE: Is Adam Sandler as funny in person as he is on-screen?

LORNA: Yes! Adam is one of God’s gifts to the planet. However nice you think he may be, he is, in real life, 10 times more. He is kind and polite. He loves dogs and his little girl and everyone around him. We all love him back. It’s a wonderful place to work.

JANE: What was it like working with Zac Efron in "17 Again"? Was he fending off tween girls all the time?

LORNA: Yes. But, he was also fending off me!

JANE: I need to go back and watch "Wanted" again and look for you. Did you interact with Angelina Jolie, and what was it like making that movie?

LORNA: I didn’t work with Angie, but I did meet her. It’s hard to believe, but she is more beautiful in real life than on the screen, even without make-up. We were in Prague for the majority of my scenes, and it was beautiful. I loved it. The people of Prague are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I was so impressed by the film when I did see it, I was thrilled to be involved.

JANE: Wow, the lineup of actors in "The Great Buck Howard" is amazing: Tom Hanks, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt … I haven’t seen that movie yet, so tell me something amazing about it (other than the cast!) and why I should go see it.

LORNA: The writing. It’s a beautifully written, one-of-a-kind script.

JANE: What’s better/more fun? Working in movies or TV? Or doesn’t it matter?

LORNA: TV is faster, in general, but not always. The only thing that makes a difference would be the people you work with.

JANE: Anything else you’d like to add?

LORNA: Watch "Surviving Suburbia" on ABC following "Dancing With The Stars" on Monday’s at 9:30pm!

JANE: Thanks so much for your time!

Image Credits: Lorna Scott; ABC; Bauer-Griffin