Wendi McLendon-Covey & Manager Gladys Gonzalez Launch Strong Beach Productions

Andreas Wiseman

11 March 2025 at 12:47 pm·3-min read

EXCLUSIVE: The Goldbergs star Wendi McLendon-Covey and her manager Gladys Gonzalez of John Carrabino Management have launched Strong Beach Productions.

The full-service company will look to take film and TV projects from conception through to delivery.

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The duo have brought on executive Sophia Lucchesi who joins from Weimaraner Republic Pictures and New Mandate Films, where she was previously the Head of Development. There, she helped develop Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints for Fox Nation, The Commandant’s Shadow for HBO, Emmy-nominated The Survivor for HBO, and Hocus Pocus 2 for DisneyPlus. Prior to that, Lucchesi worked for Elizabeth Gabler at Fox 2000 and Paradigm Talent Agency in the TV Literary and Talent departments. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Gonzalez will continue as a manager at JCM where she will continue to rep Danielle Panabaker, Francesca Eastwood, Amber Valletta, Charisma Carpenter, and others.

McLendon-Covey, well known for playing family matriarch Beverly Goldberg on the ABC comedy The Goldbergs as well as roles in series and movies including Reno 911!, St. Denis Medical, Big City Greens and Bridesmaids, said: “All I’ve ever wanted to do in life is tell quality, character-driven stories. I feel like it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is and do it. Gladys has been my manager and good luck charm for 14 years, and with Strong Beach Productions we hope to develop projects that are compelling and highly rewatchable. We could not be more excited to bring Sophia on board, as I am thoroughly impressed by her dedication, exceptional taste in material, and remarkable work ethic. It was an obvious choice to collaborate with her as she brings a fresh creative edge to the table while Gladys brings a wealth of industry expertise so the combination of forces here is thrilling.”

Gonzalez added: “I’m grateful that at this stage of my life and career, I get to build on a more creative level. Reimagining and redefining how women show up in the world through great stories has always been my passion. Wendi and I have always spoken the same language creatively, but it wasn’t until we produced our first project together last year that I finally got to witness her power as a producer. My background first at CAA and now as a talent manager at John Carrabino Management for the past two decades while working with Oscar-winning actors has equipped me with a deep understanding of the creative process. I’ll continue managing my clients and producing content.”

Lucchesi shared: “I’m thrilled to join Wendi and look forward to creating memorable film and television projects that will captivate and delight audiences. We’re excited to develop projects that will champion new voices and storytellers with humor and heart.”

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