Today we’d like to introduce you to Peggy Glenn.
Peggy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At 68, after selling a business and retiring, I moved from the OC to LA – for love. While unpacking, I discovered my handwritten “bucket list” with the notation, “be a background actor.”
It turned out to be incredibly easy to sign up and get picked, but I soon tired of being treated as a third-class citizen on sets. I started trying out for student films and non-paying gigs. I’m good at being me. I figured I’d get my training on-the-job, the same way I’d learned every other life and work skill – by doing. A listing for a “stereotypical Caucasian grandma who’d be willing to swear” caught my eye, I auditioned, I booked it, it aired and I was an internet sensation within 24 hours.
When a long-time friend gave me a hassle for my curse-laden performance, I defended it by citing “when an actor shows up to a set, they’re supposed to do what the director asks.” Then I threw out what turned out to be a verbal nugget: “I guess my inner Granny PottyMouth came out.” Bam! I knew I’d named my alter ego and I decided to start a YouTube channel.
My YouTube persona gives advice by the minute: cooking, relationships, life skills. It’s my cooking that hooks most viewers, because it’s easy stuff that won’t break the budget. A by-product of the Granny PottyMouth cooking video hijinks has been a cookbook, “Granny PottyMouth’s Fast As F*ck Cookbook,” published by Page Street Publishing in Salem, MA. The book has received rave reviews and I’m having a blast doing public appearances to meet fans, sign books, and share giggles and hugs.
I often book acting gigs in commercials or TV in addition to the fun stuff in my digital life. They tell me I “give good face.” Matter of fact, my kids and grandkids (and former employees) will tell you about “the look!”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a mostly smooth road until the last 18 months or so. It seems as if the Prude Pendulum has swung way to the right. Uptight City, if you will. So, although my fans have not abandoned me, the platforms on which my content plays have become difficult to navigate and monetize. But, along the way, thankfully my tech-savvy self has learned to shoot, edit, upload, caption, and otherwise crank out the digital work. I’ve found alternative avenues to capitalize on the Granny PottyMouth brand: public speaking, conference appearances, custom videos, brand partnerships, and a couple of TV shows in development.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Granny PottyMouth – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m proudest that I never stop learning – every day I pick up a new tip or learn a new skill that feeds my curious nature. Right under that are the love notes I get from fans telling me that my videos make a difference in their lives. My advice hits home, probably because it’s not coming from someone close to them. My business is my persona – all iterations of it: my real self, my acting self, my comedy self, my empathetic self, and my cussing self. And right under that are the deep friendships and relationships with talented professionals that have developed over the last 5 years. I’m rich beyond measure in that regard.
In my work in commercials, I’m known mostly for facial expressions that tell an entire story in a look. I’m particularly proud of the work that comes to me without auditions. They just pick me. That’s awesome!
In my personal life, I’m admired for being somewhat fearless but not daredevil. I’ll try anything as long as it’s not gross, dangerous, or expensive. I thrive on harmless fun, and I love to laugh and do stuff that makes others laugh. Among the younger digital creators, I’m known for being willing to laugh hardest AT myself while embracing technology and just going for it – no excuses. They also flock to me to discuss real-life coping skills: dating, adulting, motivation, etc. We teach each other and that’s the biggest high there is.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I have a manager now in addition to my top-tier agents, so the team is always on the lookout for opportunities for Peggy the actor and Granny the character. I’ve been approached by production companies who have TV shows in the development stage. I leave the business of those dealings to my professional advisors.
Last year about this time, I had an idea for an episodic show. I called it “Patron Saint” and co-wrote it with a massively talented friend who also directed it. We crewed up, shot it, edited it, and it won “Best Female Performance in a Short” at a local film festival. That was a kick! I might do something more with that.
I’m ramping up my public speaking activities – my first gig is Keynote Speaker at a conference of podcasters in March. I’ve never met a microphone, camera, or audience I didn’t love immediately. Corporate dinner speaking is right up my alley, if they can handle a little bit of loving cussing. Never mean, always love.
I’m having a blast creating custom video messages on a couple of apps. These are a chance to be up-close-and-personal with fans in a way that’s not possible on my main video platforms.
I’d love to host a talk show that allowed mild cussing while offering a wisdom-based reflection on all things pop culture – OMG – have you heard what passes as music these days? And spending thousands of dollars for others to make rips in perfectly good clothes! My mother is probably rolling in her grave over that one! She patched the patches on our jeans. Oh, and don’t get me started on the decline of manners and civility.
My publisher is already thinking up new books for me to do – one with my “Granny-isms” – nuggets of wisdom, if you will, and we’re brainstorming about another cookbook.
So, yeah, I’m basically in no hurry to slow down, although I would love to take off for 6-9 months and see the U.S. – places that are still on that hand-written bucket list. Maybe a combo book tour with fan meetups and a long vacay?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.grannypottymouth.
com - Email: GrannyPottyMouth@gmail.
com - Instagram: @grannypottymouth
- Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/grannypottymouth/ - Twitter: @grannypottymouf
- Other: https://teespring.com/
stores/granny-pottymouth- merch?page=1 - Cookbook: https://amzn.to/2uuLoPm
- Booking: Branden Pitcher-Gulley, Maxx Management, [email protected]
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
