Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
September 3, 2020
Lily Anne Harrison grew up in the public eye. The daughter of actor Gregory Harrison (“Trapper John, M.D.”) and model Randi Oakes and recently engaged to longtime boyfriend Peter Facinelli (“Twilight”), the actress and writer takes Hollywood in stride. Her latest film is “The Vanished,” which was spearheaded by Facinelli. Set in an RV park, the film follows the case of a missing child. Harrison resides in Los Angeles. Fans may follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Q: What was it liking filming “The Vanished” in Alabama?
A: It was so much fun. Peter wrote and directed it and my father was also in the film, so it was really, quite literally, working with family, which was a dream. But my favorite memory of the shoot was probably the day I shot in the RV. It was super cold and the first (assistant director) was roasting us marshmallows from somewhere off camera and handing them to me and to my pretend daughter, Skyler Elyse Philpot, in between takes through the window of the RV. We munched on them with glee.
Q: Are you a fan of RV camping?
A: I am. I love camping. I’m from Oregon, so I love anything that takes me outside. I grew up appreciating the outdoors. Also, I just love the adventure of an RV trip.
Q: People often think celebrities take extravagant vacations all the time. Can you describe some of your trips?
A: Peter and I love to go to Mexico whenever we can; it’s our little getaway. We usually stay in beautiful resorts right on the beach, turn off our phones, and just be together. It’s pretty fabulous. But, in light of 2020 and COVID, we haven’t been able to, obviously. So we’ve been doing a lot of daydreaming about when we’ll be able to again. As for a down-to-earth vacation, my parents and I drive up to Oregon every year to where we’re from in this tiny town on the coast called Gold Beach. (We) stay in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, right next to the Rogue River. My sisters meet us there and we just lay around in the sun, reading books, playing with my niece and watching movies. It’s heaven.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child?
A: My father worked a lot in New York early in my life, so I fell in love with that city right away.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: My parents live up in Ventura (California) on the beach, so I love to hop in the car with my cat and stay with them for a few days.
Q: Where is the most romantic destination?
A: Paris. I know it’s cliché, but I backpacked through France and northern Spain in my mid-20s and fell in love with everything about France, especially Paris. It’s just got that je ne sais quoi. Can’t put your finger on it, but it’s so romantic in every way.
Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: I love New York during Christmas. Peter is from New York, so we often go to spend the holiday with his big Italian family. I love ice skating at Rockefeller Center, the way New York lights up for the holidays, your cold breath in the air. It feels as close to a kid’s Christmas as anything.
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A. Paris, New York, Portland, San Francisco and L.A., in that order.
Q: Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A: Actually, when we were shooting “The Vanished” in Alabama, just outside of Tuscaloosa, the landscape reminded me of Oregon – giant, old, beautiful trees. Different colors, but similar feel.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: Greece. Santorini. Hoping maybe Peter and I can honeymoon there.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: Jeans and a white T-shirt, sunblock, a good book.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: To just fly to Europe and take trains to anywhere I want to go. I fell in love with the train system in Europe. Hop on, arrive anywhere you like.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Sour straws. Really any sour candy. I lose all self-control once the car starts moving.
Q: What is your worst vacation memory?
A: Once, driving up to Oregon with my dad for our yearly trip, we were in a long stretch of road with no cell service at about 2 a.m. somewhere in Northern California. A deer suddenly leapt in front of our car and we hit the poor thing. We ended up with a totaled car and had to walk to find one bar of service to call a tow truck. Thankfully, someone came and drove us to the nearest town where we found a hotel and a rental car, but that was a rough one.
© 2020 JAE-HA KIM
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