CARLA MCCLOSKEY

Before becoming an author, Carla McCloskey was a long-time director and assistant director who began her film career when she was picked as an assistant director by the Producers Association. 

“I was one of the first women in this position,” recalls Carla, who has lived in Malibu since 1981 with her husband, Leigh J. McCloskey, an actor, artist and author.

Carla was later the assistant director on many films, including The Goodbye Girl, California Suite, Death Becomes Her, Point of No Return, Point Break, The ‘Burbs, The Color of Night, Hook and Jurassic Park. 

She worked with directors Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, Robert Zemeckis, Richard Rush, John Badham, Herbert Ross, and Cher. She also worked on the television series Amazing Stories, Babylon 5, Ally McBeal, Gilmore Girls and The Closer. 

Carla wrote her first book, Grandma Told Me So—Lessons in Life and Love, to help others find and keep the best possible relationships in their lives. Carla writes with the wisdom and simplicity that she learned during her early life in Lodi, Wisconsin, a picture-perfect small Midwestern town. 

“At my grandmother’s side, I developed the life tools to balance rich personal relationships and family with a demanding life in Hollywood as a director and assistant director to many of today’s most notable actors and filmmakers,” says Carla, adding that she and her husband “have shared the many facets of a life in Hollywood while never forgetting to live a life in love.”  

Carla wrote her second book, Living in an Alien Body—Surviving Stroke, from her own personal experience to help others navigate the life-altering trauma of stroke.  

“This book will transform the way you think about stroke,” emphasizes Carla, whose goal with the book is “to navigate a stroke for you or a loved one—and hopefully prevent stroke.” 

Ultimately, “t may even help you or a loved one survive it—not as a helpless victim, but as an unexpected journeyer into strange and foreign lands.”