'My Portugal' is our newsletter series celebrating Portuguese culture through conversations with friends of Portugalia Marketplace. This month, we are thrilled to feature actress and comedienne Mandell Maughan.
Mandell Maughan is a Portuguese American actress and comedienne. She was born and raised in Point Loma, a peninsula within southern California often referred to as “Little Portugal.” After graduating college, Mandell moved to Los Angeles and began her career in film and television. Most notably, she’s been seen in the comedy series, Bajillion Dollar Properties, as well as Me, Myself and I on CBS and Syfy’s hit Resident Alien. Mandell just finished filming her new Netflix series, Free Bert and is currently writing a book about her Portuguese father’s adventures as a Master Captain at sea. When she’s not acting or writing, Mandell enjoys cooking, baking and hosting personalized port tastings for her friends.
Portugalia Marketplace: Your hometown of Point Loma, CA is often referred to as "Little Portugal." How did growing up in that environment influence your appreciation for Portuguese culture, traditions, and community?
Mandell Maughan: Growing up in Point Loma gave me immense fondness and love for Portuguese culture and is why I still have such a strong tie to it. Despite being born in California, I was immersed in the Portuguese language, food, music and faith. Several families, including my own, migrated from Portugal and started The San Diego Tuna Fishing Industry. It wasn’t until I started to experience life outside the community, like going to middle school in La Jolla, that I became aware not everyone had the privilege of growing up like that. I also quickly learned not everyone showed up to school with pickled tuna in their lunch box.
PM: In college, you chose to double minor in Classical Voice and Portuguese. What specifically drew you to these areas of study, and what impact has studying them had on your adult life?
MM: My grandmother, Mary Correia, was a singer and actress. She was an incredible influence on me as an artist, performer and most importantly, as a woman. The first song she taught me to sing was, “April in Portugal.” When she passed, I had the privilege of singing “Ave Maria” at her funeral. When I left home, for college, I wanted to hold on to those things that made me feel connected to her. Majoring in Acting and minoring in Classical Voice was a given. Later, I learned the college taught Brazilian Portuguese and decided to add it to my focus. I held strong to my accent and eventually my professor accepted my S’s would always sound like “sh”.
I continue to incorporate aspects of Portuguese culture into my adult life. I’m a very sentimental person and it makes me feel like I’m carrying on the traditions of the families before me.
PM: Have you ever visited Portugal? If so, what was your favorite region or memory from the trip? If not, what city or site is highest on your travel list and why?
MM: Yes - there’s not an area I’ve visited in Portugal that I didn’t love. The food and music are impossible to beat. Being from a family of fisherman and navigators, Sagres is very special to me. I love lunches on the water in Cascais, the handmade artwork in Sintra and nothing tops Porto. The dinner I had at Vila Joya, in Algarve, is still one of the best meals of my life. But the village of Fatima will always hold a significant place in my heart. For me, it was an incredibly spiritual experience that I will never forget.
There is still so much for me to see, including the Azores, and I hope to go back next year.
PM: The 'My Portugal' newsletter celebrates Portuguese culture globally. In your opinion, what is a tradition, dish, or characteristic of Portuguese culture that more people should know about?
MM: One of my favorite things about the Portuguese culture is the celebration of food. My mom and I plan our holiday menus months in advance. If there are 5 people coming, we cook for 20. If it’s 20, we cook for 100. It’s impossible to run out of food at a Portuguese house and you will always go home with leftovers.
I got married in September and my mother and I spent months planning every detail of the various menus. On the wedding day, an hour would not go by without more food being served. At the end of the night, I served pasteis de nata (from my favorite bakery, Nata’s, in Los Angeles) and a 1955 bottle of port I had saved for the occasion. Guests then received take home boxes with burgers and fries (at my husband’s request). All of that was after appetizers, dinner, and bags of snacks in their hotel rooms. I refuse to host a party where there’s even a chance of someone leaving slightly hungry. I learned that from my mother and she from my grandmother. Any good Portuguese matriarch shows her love through food and you’ll likely leave her home with your top pant button undone.
PM: Many of your roles have been comedic. Is this your favorite genre? Do you enjoy switching gears between different characters and tones?
MM: I love switching genres and challenging myself with new roles, but I always come back to comedy. It’s certainly not because it’s less difficult. Comedy requires a detailed and considerate approach, but who doesn’t want to laugh at work all day?
PM: If you could choose any project—past or future—to film entirely in Portugal, what genre would it be and which Portuguese landmark or city would you choose as your set?
MM: Romantic Comedy, no question. Portugal is an incredibly sexy country. The backdrop is a perfect place to fall in love. Maybe a woman who moves to Lisbon for work only to fall in love with the handsome local pastry chef? Sure, it’s cheesy and has been done before, but I still want to watch it!
PM: Are there any particular Portuguese traditions or festivals that hold a special place in your heart? Could you share a memory associated with one?
MM: In Point Loma, like many Portuguese communities, they hold an annual Portuguese festival, Festa de Espirito Santo. Growing up, my family would partake in that festival every year. It’s a celebratory weekend filled with dancing, authentic Portuguese cuisine and a beautiful parade. San Diego also holds an annual Cabrillo Festival commemorating Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s discovery of San Diego Bay. Each year they crown a Miss Cabrillo at the UPSES Portuguese Hall and in 2001, I won said crown. It was a special moment for myself and my entire Portuguese family.
PM: Finally, what's next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or personal goals you can share with our 'My Portugal' readers?
MM: It’s been an amazing year for me, both personally and professionally. In September, I married my best friend. We had a very intimate ceremony and the entire weekend was filled with incredible blessings from our loved ones. The celebration also included plenty of Portuguese food, music and influence! My husband even designed my wedding ring with Italian diamonds, worn by 3 generations of women from his family and Portuguese diamonds, worn by 3 generations of women from mine. He’s an incredible person and I am so lucky to love and be loved by him!
Recently, I finished filming my new Netflix series, Free Bert, with the hilarious comedian, Bert Kreischer. It was an absolute blast, and the funny never stops. Free Bert comes out in January 2026. I am so excited for everyone to watch!
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Sardinha Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Spicy Olive Oil
If you can handle heat, these are a perfect little snack.
This might just be my childhood talking, but I love these! Especially with a cup of coffee!
Galo Barcelos Traditional Hand-Crafted Clay Roosters
Everyone needs a little good luck in the kitchen!