Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins, Relate Contributing Writer

Brittany Curran plays Lucy on the new show on TNT called Men of a Certain Age, but you may recognize her from Suite Life With Zack and Cody (she played Chelsea) or Go Figure, her first lead where she played an Olympian hopeful, Pamela. Since moving to Hollywood at 11, she’s been busy and has big plans for her future!

Relate: Describe your role as Lucy. What is going on in her world and how does she differ from you? How is she the same?

BRITTANY:Lucy Tranelli is the daughter of Joe (Ray Romano) and Sonia (Penelope Ann Miller). She’s an all-American girl with a twinge of attitude. She gets along with her family for the most part, but isn’t afraid to occasionally lash out if she has to. Like the scene in the episode “Powerless.” My dad interfered with my boyfriend, which caused my character, Lucy, to LASH out at him in the living room. I had to get so angry for the scene that after I yelled at my dad (Joe) I walked behind the scene and started crying. There were about 50 extras behind the scenes staring at me with concern; it was a bit awkward until I indicated it was part of a scene. Lucy is not as outgoing and positive as I am, and I’m a generally a happier person in real-life.

But we are both addicted to our Blackberries! In fact, one day during a table read for the show I found myself Tweeting. I thought to myself, “Oh my [gosh], what am I doing?” I slowly put my phone down. But I blame the show for getting me further addicted!!! :-)

Relate: What is your biggest challenge as an actress? What is your favorite thing about acting?

BRITTANY: The biggest challenge is when I get a script that I absolutely fall in love with, almost get the part, then have the role go to someone else. That’s the worst! My favorite thing about acting is when I’m shooting a scene and it becomes so real that I forget I’m acting. Completely living in the moment, forgetting everything else, especially kissing scenes! HINT, HINT Men Of A Certain Age! Kissing scenes with handsome actors would have to be my other favorite thing.

A couple of other favorite things about acting: My first one is, I must be honest, I get a lot of free stuff at gifting suites! Just today I got a brand new palm lixi plus wireless phone with three months of free service and Internet. Last week I got a free $500.00 watch and a $400.00 necklace. But I do give a lot of the free gifts away to fans in contest. It’s one of the ways I can show my appreciation of how much I do love them. Another favorite thing is I get to do a lot of charity work and raise awareness to help others. One of my favorites is BrittiCares, which was started by a young girl, Brittiana, shortly before she died from leukemia. When I give blood at BrittiCare events, I know it’s going directly into the body of the children who need it.

R: What is the funniest experience you have had with a fan?

B:When I was at a Disney premiere at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, I was signing autographs. There was a partition/fence that separated me from the fans and some very over-zealous Italian men, speaking in Italian, started pulling me over the partition. That was probably the funniest, little bit scary when it was happening.

R: What are your favorite things to do when you’re not working?

B: I love writing poetry. I’m taking French at the Beverly Hills Lingual Institute. Other activities I enjoy are reading (love CS Lewis), dancing, singing, my brother is teaching me guitar, and I’m going to start violin lessons soon. I also love mountain running and mountain races with my dad.

R: If you were trapped in an elevator, who would you want it to be with and why?

B:Here’s the funny thing! Several months ago I was really trapped in an elevator for about two hours. I was going to an audition at the CBS Radford Studio in Studio City. My dad dropped me off so I could get to the audition on time. After he came in the building, he couldn’t find me. Someone told him a girl went up in the elevator, but it was stuck between floors. A long story short, the fire department eventually showed up and I was rescued by a very cute fireman! He climbed in the elevator, picked me up in his arms, and then passed me to another cute fireman!

If I had to pick someone to be stuck in an elevator I’d pick Robert Plant (lead singer of Led Zeppelin). But when he was in his prime, from about 1972. Why?! Because he is a rock god, hot hot hot, an AMAZING voice, and I think highly intelligent.

R: What inspires you?

B:Brilliant performances (Meryl Streep), emotive music, stories of brave individuals who risked their lives for others, my dad and other passionate people.

R: What is the biggest goal you have for yourself?

B: Eight Academy Awards! And I will not touch an Oscar until I win my first. In fact, I had a chance to hold one after my friend won one for Crash, but I would not touch it. :-)

Be sure to tune in Monday nights at 10 p.m. to see Brittany on Men of a Certain Age!

And check out Brittany’s YouTube page for an awesome contest where you’ll win a HUGE variety of prizes, including signed autographs, digital cameras and MP3 players and Tom’s shoes customized for the show. Brittany will explain it to you on the video. Deadline is February 28!

(Photos from Mocking Bird Lane Productions)

Tags: Brittany Curran, celebrity, Men of a Certain Age, Ray Romano, teen celebrities