Gloria Calderón Kellett is a writer/producer for ABC’s Mixology. She was a writer for TV shows such as Lifetime’s Devious Maids and CBS’s How I Met Your Mother. Gloria and her husband, cartoonist Dave Kellett (our featured artist) have done sketch comedy together.
Where were you born and raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Portland, Oregon. I now live in Los Angeles, California.
What’s your earliest memory of writing?
When I was in second grade I wrote an autobiography of my life. My parents found it hilarious and kept it for many years.
What children’s books did you read when you were growing up?
The Hungry Caterpillar was a favorite.
What books do you read to your children?
We read everything! I really love the Mo Willems books the best. So funny even for adults.
What projects have you and Dave worked on together? Is it easier or harder to work with your husband?
We used to do sketch comedy together. That was really fun because we got to write and act together. Now our biggest and best collaboration is our children!
What was your favorite independent project?
I write one act plays every year for the past decade and put them up for charity. My next show CROSSWORDS (tickets) goes up November 9 & 10th.
What’s the toughest thing to handle in your business?
Any rejection is hard but I think those that last in this industry are tenacious and keep working hard.
How do you define success as a writer?
I think there are two types of success. Personal creative success and the ability to make a living doing what you love…which is more financial. I write on various shows and also get to put up my own work so I have the best of both worlds.
Looking at the project list on your website, you are one busy lady! How do you make time with your family? And some down time for yourself?
I have a lot of help. My husband works from home and my parents are both retired and are very integral in the lives of my children. Together we all try to make their lives special. I am also fortunate that I work in seasons. So often I get months off at a time to just focus on being a mommy. And when I have to work I have my husband or my parents helping to make sure that the children have stability. It does indeed take a village.
Tell us about your latest writing project.
I am currently working on a mid-season show for ABC called Mixology from the guys that brought you The Hangover and I am also writing a movie.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
I broke my jaw when I was 11. At the time it was awful but it taught me how to be funny as I had to navigate through life with a bandage on my face and my teeth wired shut. My parents both came here from Cuba in the early 60’s under the Kennedy Administrations Operation Pedro Pan. They came with nothing and built a life. Their struggle reminds me that if we put our mind to it we can build any life we can envision. I was Captain of the JV Cheer Squad in high school but quit because I didn’t think that cheerleaders in my school got the respect they deserved. That led me to try out for the school play. My now husband was a lead in that play. We met shortly thereafter.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
You have to make your own magic. I often hear artists complain about not being where they want to be but not looking for ways to take their work to the next level. You have to be creative. You have to not let anything get in your way.
You can contact Gloria, buy her books and tickets to her latest show here:
Gloria Calderón Kellett is currently a writer and Supervising producer on the ABC series “Mixology.” Before that she was a writer and producer on the Lifetime series “Devious Maids, the CBS series “Rules of Engagement” (2008-2011) and “How I Met Your Mother” (2005-2008) during which she won an Alma Award for Outstanding Script. She has written and directed several short films and plays to critical success and puts her plays up annually for charity. To date has raised over $100K for various charities. Gloria graduated from Loyola Marymount University. Gloria went on to earn a Masters degree in Theatre from the University of London. She is a founding member of the sketch comedy group And Donkey Makes Five, and has written and performed stand-up comedy at The Improv and The Comedy Store. Her book, Accessories, has been translated into Italian and is published by Small Fish Studios in the U.S. and Cassini Press in Italy. In her free time she is a Professor in the Film & Television Department of LMU and on occasion she acts. Currently she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
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