On a Claire day

By MICHELE MANELIS

"I grew up going to a lot of funerals and wakes with my grandmother," says Lauren Ambrose, who plays Claire Fisher, the troubled youngest member of television's favourite family of morticians in the award-winning drama, Six Feet Under.

The 24-year-old Connecticut native recalls her unusual childhood with a smile. "My grandmother is 94 years old. Everyone in the town where she lived knew her because she and her husband owned the local tavern, the same place where my father grew up. Someone was always dying so she'd take me to the funeral home to pay her last respects. It was a big social event.

"But those funeral homes were more like an episode out of The Sopranos than Six Feet Under," she laughs, revealing some of that dark humour one might expect from her onscreen persona. "Let's just say it was the quintessential Italian-American experience. But two funerals a week was probably a little excessive."

Interestingly, her grandmother suggested Ambrose become a funeral director in real life. "She used to tell me the work was consistent."

Born Lauren Anne D'Ambruoso, the fiery redhead caught the acting bug early. Although her parents — Frank, a caterer, and Annie, an interior designer — were not in showbiz they were supportive of their daughter's leanings towards the arts.

She studied classical opera and by the time she turned 14, she made her off-Broadway debut. More stage work followed, as well as multiple appearances during the 90s on dramas Law and Order and Party of Five.

She has also appeared in feature films, including Psycho Beach Party, Can't Hardly Wait, Swimming, and the upcoming Upside of Anger.

"I didn't go the traditional route of education but my life has certainly been interesting. And besides, many of my Ivy League friends who graduated recently have no idea what they want to do with their lives," she says. "But I always knew."

Not your average Hollywood starlet, Ambrose may look several years younger than her years but she certainly doesn't exploit it. You won't catch her sashaying down any red carpet event she doesn't have to attend.

She doesn't wear revealing outfits, nor is she a member of the nightclub set. A self-described homebody, she has been married to Sam Handel since 2001; he is an internet media co-ordinator and has no interest in the Hollywood scene.

"I don't want to be a member of Hollywood High. Being an actress is similar to trying to fit in with the popular kids at school. You're expected to drive the right car, wear the right clothes and say the right things. I came to LA to work and become a better actress. I didn't come here to be a star."

Ambrose loves her role as the rebellious art school student in Six Feet Under. Now in its third season, she says, "This is the most interesting season yet. It's much edgier. We've all gone off on our personal journeys and are dealing with our personal voyages.

"I think that makes it easier for the viewer to get closer to the characters. And let's face it. We all sit around thinking about ourselves more than we think about anyone else, right?" She smiles. "People relate to that."

Ambrose is getting to live vicariously through Claire Fisher. "Claire's off in her own world. She lives recklessly and takes risks and chances on people. She has all of these adventures and misadventures in her love life. She has some pretty tumultuous relationships and she really stands up for herself. I also love that the show explores art and philosophies through Claire a little bit. And I can relate to Claire on an artistic level, having something that you want to give.

"Actually, I did some of the artwork that Claire presents on the show. And I'm also happy to take credit for some of the beautiful pieces that just seem to magically appear on the set — which were not done by me," she laughs.

Her co-stars suggest that unlike her onscreen character, Ambrose is not self-obsessed and is indeed considerate of other people's needs.

"I don't know about that, but one thing I do not have in common with Claire is that she always seems to have a boyfriend. I was never one of those girls, so that's been something new for me. She's always learning from different boys. But, personally, if she were my friend, I'd tell her to take it easy. She should slow down."

Many nervous TV executives weren't too hopeful for Six Feet Under's success, given the dark subject matter, but Ambrose sees it differently.

"I think it's highly identifiable. Our singular lives are framed by birth and death. Life is just a one-shot deal and you don't know when it's going to end," she says.

"The show provides to the viewers a reminder of mortality. There are times when celebrated famous people die suddenly, like in recent years with the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy jnr. People see that and say, 'Oh my God. Anybody can die, if they can die just like that then I can, too'.

"By showing our fear of death each week, people are reminded that you should live every day and not fall asleep in your life."

So how would Ambrose like to spend her final moments on Earth? "There are some awful ways to go, aren't there? I can't really answer that. All I know is that life has been good to me and I'd like to go as late as possible."

Rising from her chair to leave, she says, "On a final note, there is one thing you may want to consider when dying: You take up less space if you're cremated."

Maybe her costars are correct in their assessment of Ambrose: even in death, she's considerate of others.