Joan McCall, a talented actress, screenwriter, and novelist, has had a prolific career in the entertainment industry. Born in rural Carter County, Kentucky, she graduated from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art and theater. She then trained for the theater in New York, honing her acting skills in summer stock at the Gateway Theatre in Bellport, Long Island, where she met her future husband, producer-director David Sheldon.
McCall's early career in theater included starring roles in Broadway productions such as "Barefoot in the Park," "Star-Spangled Girl," and "A Race of Hairy Men." She also toured nationally in productions of "Don't Drink the Water," "Barefoot in the Park," and "Star Spangled Girl." Her film credits include "The Devil Times Five," "Act of Vengeance," "Project: Kill," and the blockbuster hit "Grizzly."
As a screenwriter, McCall has written over 250 scripts for film and television under the pseudonyms Joan Pommer and Joan McCall. Her credits include writing for popular television shows such as "The Days of Our Lives," "Santa Barbara," "Capitol," and "Another World." She also co-authored the screenplay for the film "Heart Like a Wheel," based on the life of race car driver Shirley Muldowney.
In addition to her work in film and television, McCall has written novels, including the bestseller "When I Knew Al: The Untold Story of Al Pacino," which she co-authored with David Sheldon. She has also performed as a regular on the Sears Radio Theater for CBS, alongside many top stars, and has studied acting with renowned instructors such as Lee Strasberg and Charles Conrad.
McCall's most recent project was the sequel to "Grizzly," which she co-authored with David Sheldon and filmed in Europe with a star-studded cast, including George Clooney, Laura Dern, Deborah Raffin, and Charlie Sheen. Although the production was not completed, the existing footage was released in 2020.
