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Continuity: Life Beyond the Credits
More than 50 years ago, newly minted hairstylist Bonnie Clevering and her husband left Florida in a blue Pontiac with one goal in California. Now, Clevering is one of the most accomplished and revered motion picture hair designers in Hollywood.
Through the years, Clevering has nearly burned off Elvis’s pompadour, made her famous biscuits and gravy for the cast of Ocean’s Eleven in Las Vegas, and adventured with vampiric The Cullen family on the set of the Twilight Saga films. She’s worked with Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Hilary Swank, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, Zooey Deschanel, and more! And all along the way, Bonnie was there, crafting some of the most iconic movie hairstyles in history and documenting the moments through continuity photos.
But Clevering wasn’t only ensuring continuity on set. From the time she was a young girl in Illinois watching the theater to the time she was a working mother in Indiana, Clevering was a constant source of creativity, inspiration, and strength. Now, she’s sharing her stories, her wisdom, and her philosophies with the world.
Clevering’s memoir is a behind-the-scenes look at her career from 1965 to 2018, featuring countless anecdotes from the chaos amid production to the return to reality after cameras stop rolling.
Through the years, Clevering has nearly burned off Elvis’s pompadour, made her famous biscuits and gravy for the cast of Ocean’s Eleven in Las Vegas, and adventured with vampiric The Cullen family on the set of the Twilight Saga films. She’s worked with Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Hilary Swank, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, Zooey Deschanel, and more! And all along the way, Bonnie was there, crafting some of the most iconic movie hairstyles in history and documenting the moments through continuity photos.
But Clevering wasn’t only ensuring continuity on set. From the time she was a young girl in Illinois watching the theater to the time she was a working mother in Indiana, Clevering was a constant source of creativity, inspiration, and strength. Now, she’s sharing her stories, her wisdom, and her philosophies with the world.
Clevering’s memoir is a behind-the-scenes look at her career from 1965 to 2018, featuring countless anecdotes from the chaos amid production to the return to reality after cameras stop rolling.
- GenresNonfiction
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
About the author
Bonnie Clevering
2 books1 followerHilary Swank, Betty Davis, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, and Hugh Grant are just some of the hundreds of actors whose tresses Bonnie Clevering has trussed in locations around the world during her nearly five-decade career.
Hello, Dolly!, RoboCop, Ocean’s Eleven, Erin Brockovich, Office Space, The Twilight Saga, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and over 120 more films and TV series comprise her resume, which is as extensive as any in Hollywood.
Hello, Dolly!, RoboCop, Ocean’s Eleven, Erin Brockovich, Office Space, The Twilight Saga, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and over 120 more films and TV series comprise her resume, which is as extensive as any in Hollywood.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 6, 2026
I picked up Continuity: Life Beyond the Credits because I enjoy behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, but what surprised me is that Bonnie Clevering's memoir isn't really about celebrity encounters. It's about the people whose artistry makes movie magic possible long before audiences ever see the finished film.
Of course, it's impossible not to smile at stories involving Elvis, Ocean's Eleven, Twilight, and so many legendary actors. Those moments are fascinating, but what I appreciated most is that Bonnie never uses famous names as the point of the story. Instead, she consistently brings the focus back to the craft—the preparation, the pressure, the precision, and the quiet professionalism required to keep a production moving. It gave me an entirely new appreciation for a role most moviegoers rarely think about.
One of my favorite aspects of the memoir is how much heart it has. Bonnie's journey from a young hairstylist leaving Florida with little more than determination to becoming one of Hollywood's most respected hair designers is genuinely inspiring, but it never feels self-congratulatory. She writes with warmth, gratitude, and the kind of perspective that only comes from decades of experience.
I also loved reading about continuity photography and the meticulous work behind maintaining consistency across scenes. It's the sort of invisible craftsmanship audiences only notice when something goes wrong, and Bonnie does a wonderful job showing just how much creativity and problem-solving goes into making everything appear effortless on screen.
What stayed with me most, though, wasn't any individual celebrity story. It was Bonnie's obvious love for the people she worked with and the pride she takes in contributing to something larger than herself. Her philosophy about showing up, working hard, staying creative, and treating people well quietly runs through every chapter.
By the end, I realized this memoir is about much more than Hollywood. It's about building a meaningful career, embracing opportunities, and finding fulfillment in work that often happens behind the scenes. Whether you're interested in filmmaking or simply enjoy stories about extraordinary lives built through dedication and passion, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Of course, it's impossible not to smile at stories involving Elvis, Ocean's Eleven, Twilight, and so many legendary actors. Those moments are fascinating, but what I appreciated most is that Bonnie never uses famous names as the point of the story. Instead, she consistently brings the focus back to the craft—the preparation, the pressure, the precision, and the quiet professionalism required to keep a production moving. It gave me an entirely new appreciation for a role most moviegoers rarely think about.
One of my favorite aspects of the memoir is how much heart it has. Bonnie's journey from a young hairstylist leaving Florida with little more than determination to becoming one of Hollywood's most respected hair designers is genuinely inspiring, but it never feels self-congratulatory. She writes with warmth, gratitude, and the kind of perspective that only comes from decades of experience.
I also loved reading about continuity photography and the meticulous work behind maintaining consistency across scenes. It's the sort of invisible craftsmanship audiences only notice when something goes wrong, and Bonnie does a wonderful job showing just how much creativity and problem-solving goes into making everything appear effortless on screen.
What stayed with me most, though, wasn't any individual celebrity story. It was Bonnie's obvious love for the people she worked with and the pride she takes in contributing to something larger than herself. Her philosophy about showing up, working hard, staying creative, and treating people well quietly runs through every chapter.
By the end, I realized this memoir is about much more than Hollywood. It's about building a meaningful career, embracing opportunities, and finding fulfillment in work that often happens behind the scenes. Whether you're interested in filmmaking or simply enjoy stories about extraordinary lives built through dedication and passion, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
September 11, 2025
Bonnie Clevering is a very creative writer with a very interesting story to tell. Not one of "Hollywood Glamor", but a look into the background. This book had me laughing, shocked, and fascinated the entire way through.
Besides being funny, Miss Clevering really knows how to turn a phrase. Some of the lines, were so artful, descriptive and beautiful.
She name drops some and we see who she was working with and the "real" behind the fake.
There are so many people behind the scenes who are a part of all of these glamorous movies and the world, but we don't often hear from them. I'm glad she gave us this inside look!
Besides being funny, Miss Clevering really knows how to turn a phrase. Some of the lines, were so artful, descriptive and beautiful.
She name drops some and we see who she was working with and the "real" behind the fake.
There are so many people behind the scenes who are a part of all of these glamorous movies and the world, but we don't often hear from them. I'm glad she gave us this inside look!
September 11, 2025
Dive into the world of Hollywood and Entertainment from a first hand perspective.
Bonnie Clevering did a great job of making her story compelling and entertaining.
Well-written and with clear language, this memoir paints a realistic picture of her experiences.
There are multiple people who play a part in her journey and I love the way she effortlessly conveys how they each touched her life. It makes names you "know' feel like normal people.
Bonnie Clevering did a great job of making her story compelling and entertaining.
Well-written and with clear language, this memoir paints a realistic picture of her experiences.
There are multiple people who play a part in her journey and I love the way she effortlessly conveys how they each touched her life. It makes names you "know' feel like normal people.
September 16, 2025
Bonnie Clevering has learned a lot during her time in Hollywood, she really does lay it all out there and share unique and compelling moments from the many years.
I appreciate the author brining her story to light. Giving us a backstage pass to learn the ins and outs of Hollywood.
It is a very fast read Clevering's voice is steady and humbling.
I appreciate the author brining her story to light. Giving us a backstage pass to learn the ins and outs of Hollywood.
It is a very fast read Clevering's voice is steady and humbling.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews