Meet Carla Hunt | Television Writer & Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carla Hunt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carla, what do you want your legacy to be?
Both of my parents dedicated so much of their lives to philanthropy, and growing up with that example showed me how one person can profoundly impact others. My mom always made sure our home had a spare room or two, and would often bring home people who just needed a place to stay—whether they were her clients, a family who had just lost their home, or even someone she had just met that day. She opened our home to them and dedicated her time to helping young women improve their lives—homeless women with children, sex workers, trans women reentering society after prison. Through her, I’ve met so many women with incredibly diverse experiences, and I’ve seen why it’s important to not only help, but help without judgement.

I’ll never forget the look in someone’s eyes when they realize I’m Carl or Robin’s daughter and they tell me how much my parents impacted their lives, especially my dad, who passed away. Grief is a lifelong process, but it lightens a little when someone tells me how much my father changed their life. Our father-daughter story was cut short, but knowing he created new chapters in other people’s lives has always stayed with me. My dad lit up a room and made people laugh and enjoy life.

I hope when I’m gone, I’ve made life better for others, too. I love film and television—it was there for me when I was a lonely, isolated kid. I want my work to give that same comfort to others. Beyond that, I’d love to create charities and nonprofits that outlive me, so I can continue giving even after I’m gone. My hope is to inspire others to love and give, just like my parents did.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a kid, I struggled a lot with figuring out who I was. I thought there was something fundamentally wrong with me. Childhood was tough, but over time, I learned to embrace my authentic self—and honestly, I’ve always been the same person at my core. It just took me a while to stop fighting it. I love to have fun, to smile, joke, and laugh. I’m very girly—I love pink and everything about being a woman. But hyperfeminine women are often not taken seriously.

A lot of women feel like they can’t be true to themselves because they need to be respected, and sometimes those two things don’t seem to coexist. I’ve had people dislike me because they thought my personality was an act, but I think people just aren’t used to women being whimsical and fun while also being capable and getting things done. I think that being myself helps break down some of those stereotypes and desensitize people to unconventional personalities. We spend so much time pretending to fit into social norms, but I think what sets me apart is that I don’t play along—I stay true to who I am.

My writing reflects that. I’ve always hated that girls weren’t allowed to be funny in the same way boys were. Boys can be bold, physical, sexual in their comedy, and women don’t often get the same freedom. My brand is all about celebrating women’s rights and wrongs—showing that what people consider trivial or unserious about women’s interests is actually incredibly important.

One of my favorite films, Bring It On, does this so well—it makes cheerleading, something often dismissed, important because Torrance cared about it. It even addresses intersectionality as a Black woman, which is a layer I deeply connect with. The fact that the film made grown men care about cheerleading—that’s great writing! My brand is really about empathy—helping people understand that what we care about matters, no matter how small or “girly” it may seem.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my best friends actually did come visit (Hi Patty!), and we had a great time! As a transplant, I’m still learning about all the special local spots, but since my friend is from Texas, we stuck to some classic LA activities that creatives tend to enjoy. We went to the beach in Malibu and took a scenic drive down the PCH. We also had a blast at Universal Studios and even attended a sitcom taping! You definitely can’t do that kind of stuff in Texas. One thing I love about LA is the incredible opportunities to catch screenings and performances that you just wouldn’t find anywhere else!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my mom and sister. My mom has always been my biggest supporter and truly believed I could do anything. She worked so hard to ensure that I didn’t miss out on opportunities because of financial limitations. Her own life is so inspiring—she built an incredible legacy from rock bottom. Even when I doubt myself, I know that anything is possible because my mom is living proof.

My sister has cared for me since I was a baby. She was only 9 years old when I was born, but she was up at 3 a.m. warming baby bottles before school. No child should have to take on adult responsibilities like that, but she did it out of love, never complained, and showed me what real love looks like.

My dad deserves a huge shoutout too. He shaped so much of who I am today, and everything I do is to honor his legacy. I miss him every day, but he’s still with me in everything I do.

I also have to mention my best friend, Emily Robinett. She’s the most loving and selfless person I know. My professors, Jill Condon, Todd Slavkin, Kelly Fullerton, and Dave Krinsky, are all such legends, and I feel so honored to know them. Especially Jill—I wouldn’t be where I am without her, and I hope to make her proud.

And of course, my dog, Kopa! Love you, king! Haha.

Instagram: _babycarla_

Image Credits
Linda Lin