Leigh McCloskey

Leigh McCloskey was a cute blue-eyed teen heartthrob in the 70’s and 80’s. He wasn’t as well known or popular as the other teen idols of the day, but I think he held his own. He’s probably best known as Mitch Cooper, husband of Lucy Ewing (played by Charlene Tilton) on Dallas.

Leigh McCloskey was born on June 21, 1955 in Los Angeles, CA. Today is his 63rd birthday. Happy birthday!

Interesting Fact

Leigh attended Julliard in New York and was classically trained as an actor.  His roommate during that time was Kelsey Grammer from Cheers and Frasier.  Pretty cool.

Acting Career

McCloskey got his first big break playing Billy Abbott (not the character from the Young & the Restless, though Leigh was on that show) in the Rich Man, Poor Man miniseries. This took place in 1976. He had a few other bit parts before this, but Rich Man, Poor Man was the first big show he had.

My sister watched Dallas but I was never into it. I remember the whole “Who Shot JR” thing and something about The Man from Atlantis being in the shower and how it was all a dream, but that’s about it. I remember Leigh from other shows.

Jan Brady

His first big thing I remember him from was with Jan Brady. Eve Plumb showed off her acting chops in Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway. I read where instead of covering his privates with a sock for the love scene with Eve Plumb, Leigh chose to use gaffers tape all over his crotch. Ummm……ouch? Wouldn’t that be painful to remove?

Do you remember a really bad 80’s movie called Just One of the Guys? I loved that movie. Leigh was in it portraying the main character’s boyfriend. He was 30 when he filmed the movie but was playing a high school student. You can get away with things like that when you have a baby face.

Leigh’s Personal Life

Leigh McCloskey has been married to his wife Carla since 1978. Carla is a former film and television director. They met in 1976 on the set of Executive Suite which was her first directing gig. They have two daughters together. Catlyn was born in 1982 and Brighton in 1987. Now retired from directing, Carla has several interests that keep her busy.

Leigh started painting after his daughter Catlyn was born. After the 9/11 attack, he painted every inch of his library, including the floor, ceiling, and books. His dad, Joseph, was a painter. Leigh says his dad taught him about art as a way to connect with energy and ideas. He sounds like a cool dad.

Leigh’s last major acting gig was on The Young and the Restless back in 2013. He was a cutie back in the 70’s and 80’s and has maintained his good looks. I think he’s keeping busy in life and also chillin’ at his home in Malibu with his wife. Life has been good to him……except for maybe the gaffers tape.