Actress Heather Matarazzo wants to see all non-redacted files on UFOs

Actress Heather Matarazzo has been captivating movie-going and television audiences for almost two decades. Her breakthrough role was as a geeky girl in the film “Welcome to the Dollhouse,” for which she won an Independent Spirit Award. Her unique talent and onscreen charm have earned her critical acclaim, including a breakout performance in Taylor Hackford’s thriller “The Devil’s Advocate.”

In the following years, she worked non-stop on such films as “54,” “Getting to Know You,” “Scream 3,” “Sorority Boys,” “Freshman Orientation” and “Saved,” as well as the critically acclaimed television movie “Our Guys: Outrage at Glen Ridge,” in which Matarazzo played a mentally challenged teen who is raped by a group of high school students.

{mosads}Her other notable television work includes joining the cast of “Roseanne” for its final season and starring in “Now and Again,” the hit CBS sci-fi show.

Matarazzo also starred in Disney’s box-office hit “The Princess Diaries,” directed by Garry Marshall. Most recently, Matarazzo produced and starred in “Mangus,” an independent feature film co-starring Jennifer Coolidge, Leslie Jordan and John Waters. Matarazzo is active in foster care and adoption issues.                                                 

ROBIN BRONK: If you had five minutes in the Oval Office with President Obama, what would you discuss with him? What issue would you like him to know about?

HEATHER MATARAZZO: I would discuss with him the current state of the foster care system in the U.S. 

RB: If you could ask President Obama one question, what would that be?

HM: I would ask him to hand over all non-redacted files on UFOs.  

RB: What piece of advice would you give President Obama as he begins his second term?

HM: To be genuine and take time to talk to his fellow Americans even if his aides try to rush him along.

RB: If you were going to send the president to one of your favorite places in the United States for one day, where would that be? Why?

HM: I would send him to our house. We’ve been told it’s very relaxing, and we have a great time. 

RB: What CD/piece of music would you recommend that President Obama add to his collection? Why?

HM: I would recommend Caroline Murphy’s most recent album. Her music and lyrics are brilliant, and she’s one of the best storytellers I have ever listened to. He’d be wowed and transformed. 

RB: Would you ever consider a political career?

HM: You betcha!

Robin Bronk is CEO of The Creative Coalition — the leading national, nonprofit, nonpartisan public advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Bronk is a frequent speaker on the role of the entertainment industry in public advocacy campaigns and represents The Creative Coalition and its legislative agenda before members of Congress and the White House. She produced the feature film “Poliwood,” airing on Showtime, and edited the recently published book Art & Soul. Bronk pens this weekly column with assistance from Risa Kotek.