Gary Stromberg: Person of the Week

I’m what some might call a modern-day renaissance man. During my multi-decade career, I’ve headed a successful entertainment PR firm, written, and produced two major motion pictures, owned a contemporary music record label, and created two podcast series. For a time, I was in the restaurant business, as one of the founders of LA’s Rainbow Bar & Grill. I’ve been clean and sober for over 42 years. I’ve also written three published books about addiction.

garystromberg.net

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Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. Mostly cocaine but dabbled in everything from psychedelics to heroin.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. The connection to a community with a singleness of purpose. To stay sober and help others.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. An illness but possibly a wicked twist of fate, as well!

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. Annie Lamott.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. I am pretty much retired, and I do live by the ocean.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. That I’m not the answer.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Hitting my head on the pillow and going right to sleep.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Smokers.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. California Fire Foundation.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. Muhammad Ali.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. The school of hard knocks.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. Los Angeles and currently in Venice.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be?

A. Phillip Roth, Mary Oliver, and Henry Miller,

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. A bad one.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. I don’t know, but it ain’t me.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. The Big Book, of course, and Confederacy of Dunces.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. Casablanca.

Q. Who is your favorite film director?

A. Don’t have one.

Q. What surprised you most about living sober?

A. That I can be happy, joyous, and free without drugs.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. Pay attention.

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. The Golem of Brooklyn by Adam Mansbach.

Q. What is your favorite App?

A. iHeart Media

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

A. White Lotus.

Q. What book would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV show that hasn’t already been adapted?

A. Catcher in the Rye.

Q. What is your favorite play or musical?

A. Hamilton.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Ray Charles.

Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?

A. Ray Charles.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Curious.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. Studio City.

Q. What is your favorite hotel?

A. George V, Paris.

Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?

A. Baseball, football, basketball, and boxing. I’m too old to do any of those.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

A. Anajak Thai.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Sushi.

Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

A. Try to help someone.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. Same as above.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. Yes.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. My children.

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

A. The birth of my children.

Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?

A. Dashikis. Yes, I’m a white boy who used to wear dashikis!

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. That I’m still on the right side of the grass!

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. A smile, an occasional look of confusion, a bad haircut, and the phone number of a bail bondsman.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Dying alone.

Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

A. My man cave.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

A. None.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. Facing life on life’s terms.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. Where I parked my car.

Q. What is the hardest amends you’ve ever had to make?

A. My mother, who refused to believe I did anything wrong.

Q. How important is human connection?

A. It’s everything.