Rising Stars: Meet Mary McElree of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary McElree.

Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Arlington, TX, in a home where music, paintbrushes, and big ideas were as common as dinner plates. My niche quickly became musical theatre—singing and stepping into characters lit me up. I was obsessed with MGM musicals and I knew early on I wanted to do what Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand did.

I started performing professionally at 11 and, thanks to homeschooling, had the flexibility to take steady theatre work. By 19, I had my Equity card and never looked back. I did countless shows and began exploring film on the side, taking classes and booking smaller projects and commercial work.

It was 2017, at the end of a cruise contract with my husband Jonathan, that we decided to pursue film just as fiercely as theatre. My all-or-nothing mindset kicked in: “We wanna do film? Let’s move to LA.” So we did—January 1, 2019.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been more like a wooden rollercoaster with a few loop-de-loops: pregnancy (yay!), pandemic (boo!), strikes (yikes), fires (noooo)—the LA we planned for was definitely not the LA we got.

Still, we keep working. Fun fact: J had already worked in L.A. before our cross-country move. He starred in the premiere of a new musical alongside Milo Manheim back in 2016, so he came off of our big move with a solid foundation and some industry familiarity (especially compared to me, who knew absolutely nothing about the LA scene.) That head start paid off: since we’ve been here as a duo, he’s landed recurring guest star roles on multiple network series and booked a CBS comedy pilot as a series regular (it came this close to getting picked up—cue the tiny violin—but that’s showbiz.) My work here has mostly been commercial, though “Plus One at an Amish Wedding” is currently streaming on Prime and still pops up on UPtv. More recently, I’ve worked on several vertical-format soaps (iykyk), where I’ve met some truly wonderful artists.

But with Hollywood in a weird holding pattern and opportunities slimmer than ever, we realized we needed another outlet–one where we didn’t have to wait for permission to create. That’s how our production company, Hero Shot, was born: a space to tell the stories we care about, with the people we love to work with.

We’re still two actors making our own stuff happen, but now we have a banner and a clearer sense of why we do it.

Our first project under Hero Shot is TRASH, a tongue-in-cheek comedy pilot with some crazy fun characters. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19B76j9vkGA. If you like what you see and want to collaborate, let’s talk about what’s next.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an actor/singer/producer with a passion for excellence in everything, and a heart for character-driven stories, especially ones that blend comedy and depth. I’ve worked on stage, in film, TV, VO, and more recently, the whacky world of vertical-format streaming which I think merits a category of its own, haha! In all of these I’m known for bringing a kind of grounded emotional core to the roles I play, even when the genre leans broad or stylized. I love collaborating in ways that support a project’s bigger picture—whether that’s jumping into rewrites, shaping tone, or just being that calming presence on set.

I’m also a mom, which out here takes real grit. I often feel a bit on the outside, caught between industry peers who don’t face the same parental challenges and the traditional stay-at-home mom life I’m definitely not living. But honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way for my life story. Becoming a parent has unlocked a deep, deep well of empathy and emotional depth that I now draw from, enriching both my work and how I connect with others. Our daughter is the team member we didn’t know we needed–she is just totally awesome, constantly inspiring us to try new things and making us laugh with her one-of-a-kind humor.

I’m especially proud of the projects I’ve helped build from the ground up—things that started as conversations in coffee shops and turned into real productions. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve formed along the way. This business can be wild, but finding your people in it? That’s gold.

What I hope sets me apart is my strive for excellence in ALL things, my versatility, and the unique perspective I bring to the table. I’m equal parts creative and collaborator, someone who loves the craft but also sees the big picture. Whether I’m on set or on stage singing through a story, I show up fully, with a heart to learn from others and create something beautiful. I take the work seriously, but not myself—and that balance keeps me grounded, resilient, and (I like to think) fun to have around!

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Find your own way of doing things. Just because someone says, “this is how it’s always been done,” doesn’t mean it’s the only—or best—way. Some of the best and most meaningful stuff I’ve done out here came from taking the road less traveled and simply making the best use of whatever I’ve had on hand.

Find your community. Johnny and I found ours through church, which gave us the immediate support we needed. This industry is tough enough without feeling alone.

Get clear on your values early and set boundaries. This business will toss you around a bit, so knowing what really matters to you helps you stay grounded when everything else feels upside down. And be kind. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because this industry is smaller than it looks, and kindness always circles back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heroshot.tv/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mizmarymac/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Heroshotproductions

Image Credits
Ren Scott | GLASS DARKLY
Koury Angelo Photography
Jonathan Charles