Alanna Ubach (born October 3, 1975) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Serena McGuire in ''

Legally Blonde ''Legally Blonde'' is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Robert Luketic and written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, based on Amanda Brown's novel. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victo ...

'' (2001) and ''

Legally Blonde 2 ''Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde'' (also referred to simply as ''Legally Blonde 2'') is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld and written by Kate Kondell. It is a sequel to the 2001 film '' Legally Blonde'' and ...

'' (2003), Isabel Villalobos in ''

Meet the Fockers ''Meet the Fockers'' (sometimes known as ''Meet the Parents 2'') is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Jay Roach, and the sequel to the 2000 film, '' Meet the Parents''. The film stars Robert De Niro (also one of the film's producer ...

'' (2004), Maria in '' Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit'' (1993), Noreen in ''

The Brady Bunch Movie ''The Brady Bunch Movie'' is a 1995 American comedy film that parodies the 1969–1974 television series ''The Brady Bunch'' (albeit in postmodern lens). The film was directed by Betty Thomas, with a screenplay by Laurice Elehwany, Rick Copp, a ...

'' (1995), Jane in '' Clockwatchers'' (1997), Naomi in '' Waiting...'' (2005) and '' Still Waiting...'' (2009), Margaret in ''Being Us'' (2011),

Jeanine Pirro Jeanine Ferris Pirro (born June 2, 1951) is an American television host and author who currently serves as the interim United States attorney for the District of Columbia since May 2025. Pirro is a former judge, prosecutor, and politician in t ...

in '' Bombshell'' (2019), and the voice of Mamá Imelda in ''

Coco Coco or variants may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Coco'' (2009 film), a French comedy film * ''Coco'' (2017 film), an American animated fantasy film * '' Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle'' (), a 2020 Japanese anime film ...

'' (2017), as well as Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis on '' Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce'', Suze Howard on ''

Euphoria Euphoria ( ) is the experience (or affect) of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness. Certain natural rewards and social activities, such as aerobic exercise, laughter, listening to or making music and da ...

'', Amy Hobbs on '' See Dad Run'', Tessa Flores on '' Guilty Party'', Carol Atkinson on '' The Flight Attendant'', and Susan Bennett on '' Ted''. She has provided voices for several characters in a number of animated television shows and films, such as

Liz Allan Elizabeth "Liz" Allan, also known as Elizabeth Allan-Osborn and commonly misspelled as "Liz Allen", is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In ...

on ''

The Spectacular Spider-Man ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' is a comic book and magazine series starring Spider-Man and published by Marvel Comics. Following the success of Spider-Man's original series, ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', Marvel felt the character could support ...

'', the title character on '' El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera'', Lola Boa on '' Brandy & Mr. Whiskers'', Strudel on '' Pound Puppies'', Ansi Molina on '' Welcome to the Wayne'', Skate Lad & Rope Girl on ''

Teamo Supremo ''Teamo Supremo'' is an American animated television series created by Phil Walsh. Animated in the limited animation style pioneered by Jay Ward, predecessors who inspired its style, it tells of three superhero children: Captain Crandall, Skate ...

'' and four characters in the

Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People and fictional and mythical characters * Oscar (given name), including lists of people and fictional characters named Oscar, Óscar or Oskar * Oscar (footballer, born 1954), Brazilian footballer ...

-winning animated film '' Rango'' (2011). She played the first female assistant/co-host, Josie, on the television show '' Beakman's World'', for which she was nominated for a

Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award (originally known as the Youth in Film Award) is an accolade presented by the Young Artist Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to honor excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young ...

in 1992.

Early life

Ubach was born on October 3, 1975, in

Downey, California Downey is a city located in Southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. It is considered part of the Gateway Cities. The city is the birthplace of the Apollo space program and Taco Bell. It is ...

, the daughter of Sidna ( González) and Rodolfo Ubach. Her father was from

San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan ( , ; Spanish for "Saint John the Baptist, John") is the capital city and most populous Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality in the Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the ...

, and her mother was from

Sinaloa, Mexico Sinaloa (), officially the (), is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, compose the Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities, and its capital city is Culiacán Rosales. It is located in northwest Mexic ...

. Her paternal Spanish grandfather was from Malaga, Spain. In 1994, she received a positive review from ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' for her role as a Jewish girl in ''Kindertransport'' at the Manhattan Theatre Club. During this stage, she also landed a regular spot as Josie the assistant in the TV series '' Beakman's World''. Her early film roles included '' Airborne'' (1993), '' Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit'' (1993), ''

Renaissance Man A polymath or polyhistor is an individual whose knowledge spans many different subjects, known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems. Polymaths often prefer a specific context in which to explain their knowledge, ...

'' (1994), and ''

'' (1995). She later had roles in a series of indie films: '' Denise Calls Up'' (1995), in which she played the title character; '' Johns'' (1996), playing

David Arquette David Arquette (; born September 8, 1971) is an American actor, producer, and retired professional wrestler. Arquette's breakout came with his starring role as Dewey Riley in the slasher film '' Scream'' (1996), a role which he later reprised i ...

's girlfriend, and ''

Freeway A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway, and expressway. Other similar terms ...

'' (1996) with

Reese Witherspoon Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22, 1976) is an American actress and producer. She is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Reese Witherspoon, various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Aw ...

and

Kiefer Sutherland Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland (born 21 December 1966) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his starring role as Jack Bauer in the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox drama series ''24 (TV series), 24'' (2001–2010, 20 ...

, playing a Latina gang girl. She also played roles in more mainstream films like '' Clockwatchers'' (1997) and alongside Reese Witherspoon again in the two ''

'' films.

Career

In 2004, Ubach starred in the film '' Waiting...'', alongside

Ryan Reynolds Ryan Rodney Reynolds (born October 23, 1976) is a Canadian and American actor, producer and businessman. Known for starring in comedic and superhero films, he was the List of highest-paid film actors, world's second-highest-paid actor in 202 ...

and

Anna Faris Anna Kay Faris ( ; born November 29, 1976) is an American actress. Known for playing comedic roles, she rose to prominence with the lead part of Cindy Campbell in the Scary Movie (film series), ''Scary Movie'' films (2000–2006). Her film credi ...

, and landed the role of a Latina caterer in ''

Meet The Fockers ''Meet the Fockers'' (sometimes known as ''Meet the Parents 2'') is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Jay Roach, and the sequel to the 2000 film, '' Meet the Parents''. The film stars Robert De Niro (also one of the film's producer ...

'' (2004). She also had recurring roles on '' Hung'' (2009) and ''

Californication Californication may refer to: *Californication (word), an expression that refers to the influx of Californians into various western states in the U.S. *Californication (album), ''Californication'' (album), a 1999 album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers ...

'' (2013). Ubach starred with

Lisa Edelstein Lisa Edelstein ( ; born May 21, 1966) is an American actress and artist. She is known for playing Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the Fox medical drama series ''House'' (2004–2011). Between 2014 and 2018, Edelstein starred as Abby McCarthy in the Bravo s ...

as a regular cast member on

Bravo Bravo(s) or The Bravo(s) may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music Groups and labels * Bravo (band), a Russian rock band * Bravo (Spanish group), represented Spain at Eurovision 1984 * Bravo Music, an American concert band music publishing compa ...

's first scripted series, '' Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce''. Ubach portrayed Jo, who moved to Los Angeles to reinvent herself in the guest house of her newly divorced best friend from college, Abby. Ubach described the show as "fun and stylish, it's very relatable". The role of Jo was created following the exit of

Janeane Garofalo Janeane Garofalo ( ; born September 28, 1964) is an American comedian, actress, and former co-host on Air America Radio's '' The Majority Report''. The accolades she has received include nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Screen Act ...

. Recent television roles include Suze Howard on ''

'', Tessa Flores on '' Guilty Party'', and Carol Atkinson on '' The Flight Attendant''. In 2024, Ubach starred in the lead role of Susan Bennett on the Peacock series '' Ted'', the television adaptation of the hit film.

Theater

In June 2008, Ubach starred in and narrated her ongoing one-woman show, ''Patriotic Bitch'', which ran at the Clurman Theatre in Theater Row. Reviewing ''Patriotic Bitch'', ''The New York Times'' described it as an "entertaining one-act series of character monologues" and noted that Ubach is "seriously talented".

Personal life

Ubach married record producer

Thom Russo Thomas Russo is an American record producer, composer, mixer and songwriter.Thom Russo ...

in 2014. Their son was born on July 25, 2017. In 2024, Ubach was in the process for

Spanish citizenship The Spanish nationality legal framework refers to all the laws, provisions, regulations, and resolutions in Spain concerning nationality. Article 11 of the First Title of the Spanish Constitution refers to Spanish nationality and establishes ...

through her grandfather.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Accolades

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ubach, Alanna 1975 births Living people Actresses from California American actresses of Mexican descent American actresses of Puerto Rican descent American child actresses American film actresses American television actresses American voice actresses Hispanic and Latino American actresses People from Downey, California 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses