Upon first meeting Lisa Jay, or simply “LJ” to her friends, you may have trouble deciding whether to ask for her number, or give her a fist-bump and buy her a beer. An Idaho girl at heart, Lisa’s just as comfortable going camping or catching a game as she is slipping into a slinky dress and working the red carpet. Lisa has already been showing up in your living room for quite some time now. She made her television debut in a memorable role seducing James Marsters in an alleyway on the last season of the cult phenomenon Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Since then she’s played everything from a naughty demon on Charmed, a shotgun-wielding bank robber on CSI: New York, a flirty Sin-City cocktail waitress on Las Vegas, a sarcastic hooker on Two and a Half Men… well, you get the idea. Lisa is making the jump to the big screen in a leading role in the upcoming feature film Spring Break ’83, alongside John Goodman, Joe Pantoliano, and Jamie Kennedy. She is also stripping down, both metaphorically and literally, on the internet; she is starring in the FOX pilot/webisode hybrid TEASE as a screenwriter named Marie doing undercover “research” in a fantasy strip club. You can catch Tease on YouTube. Judging by the way things are looking, it’s safe to say you’ll definitely want to keep watching.
20 QUESTIONS:
1. What’s your Ethnicity?
I have English roots with some Scandinavian flair.
2. What’s your astrological sign?
I’m a textbook Pisces.
3. Where are you originally from?
I was born in the Bay Area, but raised in Boise, Idaho. Which means I prefer the 49ers right along with the Boise State Broncos (if you missed the 2007 Fiesta Bowl game, you seriously missed the best game in college ball history!).
4. What did you like most about growing up in Boise, ID?
Even though Boise’s the capitol city of Idaho, when I grew up there it had a very small-town feel. It was the kind of place where you could walk to school and you knew all your neighbors. My dad was really into hunting, fishing, and camping, so we spent plenty of time appreciating the outdoors.
5. What kind of mischief did you into while growing up?
I have two brothers, so I spent a most of my time hanging with the boys. We played football, rode bikes, and probably terrorized every babysitter in town. Mischief was my middle name.
6. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Besides owning up to skydiving, I’m going to plead the fifth on this one!
7. What brought you to LA?
I was scouted by a modeling agent when I was 16, and by the next year I had graduated from high school early and was modeling overseas. While my classmates were going to senior prom, I was hanging out at nightclubs in Tokyo. It was an amazing experience. Soon after I got back to Idaho, opportunity in LA knocked, and I knew I had to answer. I love my life here.
8. What’s your favorite hobby and why?
I’m really into power yoga. It’s like yoga on steroids. I train with celebrity trainer Mark Blanchard – he kicks my butt. It’s my meditation, workout, and therapy all in one. It’s always fun to show off a crazy arm balance when you’re at a party.
9. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Studio City Frozen Yogurt! It’s the best yogurt shop in Los Angeles. The pumpkin pie and pistachio flavors are the best. I single-handedly probably pay their overhead.
10. Who do you admire?
My parents. They have persevered more than any other two people I know. Whenever I want to give up or give in, I think of their struggles, and that keeps me going.
11. What’s one of your personal goals?
I recently worked with Joey Pantoliano on a film, and got to know him and his charity work. He founded this amazing non-profit organization called No Kidding Me Too (www.nkm2.org), whose main focus is to use the powerful voice of the entertainment industry to help remove the stigma attached to mental illness through education and the breaking down of societal barriers. It’s a cause very close to my heart, and I hope I can get to the place in my career where I too can raise awareness through my work and my voice.
12. What do guys compliment you on the most?
Probably my bubble butt. I’ve been asked on several occasions if it’s “real.” I guess that’s supposed to be a compliment.
13. What’s your favorite body part on yourself?
I’d have to say my belly button. It’s sort of an innie-outie. I used to abhor it, but now I think it’s kind of cute.
14. What’s your least favorite body part on yourself?
My feet. Years of running barefoot through Idaho dirt must have taken its toll.
15. What do you look for in a guy?
Integrity. Intelligence. A great sense of humor. Yadda yadda.
16. What’s the first thing you notice about a guy?
I’m a sucker for pretty eyes.
17. What turns you on?
Double Double with cheese. Animal style.
18. What turns you off?
Insincerity, materialism. Unfortunately you can run into a lot of that in LA. After a while you learn the best way to deal with it is to just be true to yourself.
19. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Flakiness: it’s a great quality in a crust, but not so much in a person.
20. Who’s your celebrity pass?
I’ve found my Brad Pitt, thank you very much.
STATS:
Birthday: March 8
Height: 5′ 7″
Weight: 115
Measurements: 35B-26-35