Continuity: Life Beyond the Credits

by Bonnie Clevering, Jason Clevering

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.

Genres: Nonfiction

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Hilary 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.

Reviews

[Kelly Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuity: Life Beyond the Credits is a rich, behind-the-scenes memoir that captures the often-invisible artistry and human endurance that power Hollywood filmmaking. Bonnie Clevering’s voice is warm, candid, and deeply grounded, offering readers not just celebrity anecdotes but a lived portrait of commitment, creativity, and resilience over decades in the industry.

Bonnie herself emerges as a compelling central figure not only as a legendary motion picture hair designer, but as a working woman navigating shifting eras, demanding productions, and personal sacrifice with humor and grace. The continuity photos serve as more than technical artifacts; they become emotional anchors, preserving fleeting moments that define both films and lives.

From near disasters on set to quiet acts of generosity and leadership, the memoir honors the craftspeople who shape cinematic history from just outside the spotlight. It’s a heartfelt tribute to longevity, passion, and the meaning of work done well.

[Gina Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[R.K. Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[C. Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.