Rossellini answers parental questions

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NEW YORK, July 16 (UPI) -- Actress Isabella Rossellini says U.S. actress Julia Roberts is the "closest" likely "heiress" to Rossellini's mother, screen legend Ingrid Bergman.

Rossellini, the daughter of Bergman and Italian film director Roberto Rossellini, told Time magazine there is a "naturalness" about Roberts that makes her the closest likely successor to Bergman among contemporary actresses.

"She's approachable, a good girl-beautiful, but not in an intimidating way," said Rossellini. "She's not pretentious. I think Julia would be the one."

Rossellini is promoting her recent short film, "My Dad is 100 Years Old," and her third book, "In the name of the Father, the Daughter and the Holy Spirits: Remembering Roberto Rossellini" -- both about her famous father.

"He was a director who has been more influential than commercial," she said. "If you see films for fun, you don't really know him."