Actress would talk about personal responsibility

Bree Turner stars in NBC’s drama series “Grimm” as Rosalee Calvert, an apothecary Fuchsbau who returns to Portland after her brother’s death to run his shop. Last year, Turner appeared in the feature films “Jewtopia” and “Smashed,” the latter having premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2009, she starred in “The Ugly Truth” along with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. She also co-starred with Lindsay Lohan in “Just My Luck.” Her recent television credits include “The Mentalist,” “Raising Hope,” “The Wedding Band,” “Rules of Engagement,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” “Masters of Horror” and “Cold Case.” 

Born and raised in Northern California, Turner came to Southern California to attend UCLA and actively pursue dance and acting. She worked as a professional dancer for seven years appearing in such movies as “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “The Big Lebowski” and “Austin Powers.” She was also featured in the iconic “Gap Country” dance commercials and was a backup dancer with Cher American Music Awards, choreographed by Kenny Ortega. Bree also studied abroad at King’s College in London. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. 

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?

Bree Turner: Let’s discuss how we can help people who cannot help themselves and at the same time bring back an understanding of personal responsibility in this country. 

RB: If you could ask the president one question, what would that be?

BT: When you are relaxing, perhaps on one of your scheduled vacations, can you truly ever turn your brain off? (The largest part of me hopes not!)

RB: What piece of advice would you give President Obama?

BT: My advice for the most stressful job in the world: meditate daily! 

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?

BT: A playground to watch children play, laugh, create and run with reckless joy. All decisions really need to be about protecting them and building a future for them to lead.

RB: What CD would you recommend that the president add to his collection? Why?

BT: The Band of Strangers’s “When the Light Gets In.” It’s the perfect road trip album. 

RB: Would you ever consider a political career?

BT: I don’t think I’d enjoy the pressure of being president, but I would love to serve on one of his/her strategic committees. 

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.