Episode 112 – Behind The Scenes With "Dallas" Star Leigh McCloskey - Part 2

In the second half of Tony Miros’s engaging conversation with actor, artist, and author Leigh McCloskey, Leigh shares captivating stories and insights from his time on “Dallas” and beyond. He reflects on his work with Audrey Landers, who played his on-screen sister Afton, and their memorable trip to Israel. He also mentions how the TNT revival of “Dallas” never contacted him about a possible cameo for Mitch.

Leigh reveals why Mitch was written out of the show, explaining that the producers wanted to keep the character righteous and planned to bring him back only occasionally. He shares that he still reunites with former co-stars from the series at celebrity meet-and-greet events, where “Dallas” fans remain as passionate as ever.

Venturing into his sci-fi roles, Leigh talks about the excitement of portraying villainous aliens in “Babylon 5,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” He recalls working with Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten on “Buck Rogers” and the shock of learning about her tragic murder just months after they filmed together.

Leigh shares a behind-the-scenes moment when he was asked to do a screen test with Mariel Hemingway to assess whether she had the emotional range for a certain film. He reflects on his experiences in daytime soaps, including “General Hospital” and “Santa Barbara,” where he played two different characters.

Now fully immersed in his life as an artist and author, Leigh discusses how his emotional expression has shifted from acting to painting, channeling the same creativity onto canvas. He has transformed his Malibu home into a hub for like-minded creatives, hosting events and discussions on art, philosophy, and creative fulfillment.

Leigh continues to balance acting with art shows and promotes his books, including “Tarot ReVisioned,” which are available on Amazon and on his website. He inspires fans through his YouTube channel, where he shares insightful talks on creativity and self-expression.

LEIGH MCCLOSKY

Leigh McCloskey is a classically trained actor who studied at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. He launched his professional career with a standout role in the acclaimed miniseries “Rich Man, Poor Man” alongside Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss. He went on to star in several nighttime television series, including “Executive Suite” and “Married: The First Year”, but is best known for his portrayal of Mitch Cooper, Lucy Ewing’s husband, on the iconic CBS soap opera “Dallas” (1980–1982), with brief returns in 1985 and 1988.  

Throughout his career, McCloskey starred in numerous TV films and miniseries, including “The Bermuda Depths” with Connie Sellecca, “Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway” and its sequel “Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn”, where he played the title role. On the big screen, his credits include Dario Argento’s cult horror classic “Inferno”, “Fraternity Vacation” with Tim Robbins, “Just One of the Guys”, and “Cameron’s Closet”.   He also made appearances on several daytime soap operas, including “General Hospital”, “One Life to Live”, “The Young and the Restless”, and “Santa Barbara”.  

Beyond acting, McCloskey is a renowned visual artist and author, known for his esoteric, alchemical, and mythological-inspired works.  

McCloskey lives in Malibu, CA, with his wife Carla, where they host workshops, film screenings, and events featuring internationally recognized speakers.

Official Leigh McCloskey Website - https://leighmccloskey.com

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠