Marc Cleary, hailing from Dublin, Ireland, is a distinguished LGBTQ+ and biracial writer and director who has called Los Angeles home for over 16 years. Mentored by renowned Hollywood producer Laurence Mark, Marc has honed his craft over the past 14 years, writing, producing, and directing an array of TV pilot presentations, films, and music videos.
His debut short film, the bold and heartwarming ‘Pepper,’ made a splash on the festival circuit, winning an impressive 13 global awards. In 2015, Marc's talent earned him a remarkable opportunity—he was selected from a pool of emerging directors to be mentored by James Franco. Under Franco's guidance, Marc directed an art-house feature film, which served as a creative springboard for his career. Soon after, Marc took a creative pivot, drawing on his background in dance and choreography, and made the transition from the world of film to television. This shift bore fruit in the form of his first pilot script, 'From The Top.' Though it initially faced a roadblock with MTV, Marc's proficiency as a visual artist facilitated an on-the-spot deal with The CW and Warner Bros.
In 2019, Marc was approached by Irish production company Mist Media to lead the development of a series based on Derek Fee's 12-book crime drama Wilson, set against the turbulent backdrop of Northern Ireland. His exceptional contributions to Mist Media earned him the title of Chief Creative Officer within the company.
Marc's directing talent was further recognized when he was handpicked for a shadowing role on Freeform's Good Trouble. In 2025, his avant-garde short film ‘Fuel,’ exploring eating disorders from a male perspective, began making waves on the festival circuit, earning him Best Director awards at the Paris Art and Movie Awards and the Indie Short Awards.
In a more recent chapter of his writing career, Marc achieved a significant milestone with his heartfelt and distinctive comedy ‘Black Irish’, inspired by his upbringing in Dublin. The project secured a coveted development deal with Screen Ireland (Irish Film Board). He quickly followed this success with a second development deal for his culturally progressive animated series, ‘Paranormal Prep.’
Feeling the urge to expand his résumé with Unscripted TV, Marc branched out, gaining valuable production experience on shows such as Hell’s Kitchen, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, Squid Games: The Challenge, and four seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race (US).
Marc's journey is colored by a unique upbringing as a bi-racial individual in a predominantly white Ireland, which enriches his work with authenticity and depth, particularly when crafting diverse and inclusive storylines. His body of work demonstrates his commitment to telling bold, emotionally expressive stories that resonate across cultural boundaries.
