Actress Lisa Ann Walter’s last guest appearance was not in a movie or television show, but at the Democratic National Convention.
Inducted for her role in The Parent Trap AND Abbott Elementary SchoolWalter endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Democratic candidates for lower office during an Ethnic Council event Monday. Speaking for nearly 15 minutes, Walter spoke about her Italian-American heritage and its connection to defending immigrant rights and American freedoms.
“I’m here for less than a day before I go back to work on Abbott tomorrow morning,” said Walter, an honorary Philadelphian for her beloved role as South Philly teacher Melissa Schemmenti. “There’s nothing more important in my life than being here to make sure our next president is one who supports policies that protect all of us.”
Walter described growing up on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., volunteering in call centers and marching for civil rights.
“We did it the way other families did it in Little League,” she said. “It’s kind of in our blood.”
The actress described her family history with second- and third-generation immigrants on both sides of the family. Walter has previously discussed his Italian roots via cooperation from Ancestry.com.
She spoke of Sunday dinners at her great-grandmother’s house in New York’s Little Italy and how her grandfather would shine shoes on the Staten Island Ferry so her mother could go to college. Walter also said she owed her victory to her mother’s wisdom. Jeopardy among celebrities.
“We hear stories of people overcoming adversity and working hard to achieve the American dream,” Walter said. “I have been involved in politics for a long time, [but] I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited than I am during this election cycle.”
She added: “For our parents, our children, and the next generation of deserving immigrants who dream of becoming Americans — that’s why I’m here.”
This isn’t the first time Walter has worked with Harris. In June he joined Vice President of the National Appeal for Reproductive Freedom.