Glenn Scarpelli is a well known Sedona personality with a great story to tell. Here is the interview that he had with Jonelle Klein.

question: Tell us a little bit about what you do in Sedona and how you got here.
Glenn: I’ve been in Sedona for 34 years now—this summer marks 34, and that brings us to 2026. I moved here in 1992, and honestly, I feel like I was called here. Sedona has that kind of energy. I don’t think people just randomly end up here—there’s something deeper that draws you in. A lot of people come, but not everyone stays. For me, it happened during a time when I was on what I’d call a spiritual walkabout. I was searching, asking bigger questions about life, trying to understand purpose and meaning.
A friend of mine from New York had moved here and told me, “If you’re on a spiritual journey, you have to come to Sedona.” So I got in my car and made the trip. I remember driving past Bell Rock on Highway 179, and I got chills from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. It was a profound moment. I thought, “I think I just came home.” That feeling never left, and I’ve been here ever since.
question: What led up to that moment in your life before Sedona?
Glenn: Before all of that, I had a very different life. I was a child actor. I appeared on the sitcom One Day at a Time, and I had the chance to work with some incredible people. I was on Broadway with Al Pacino in Richard III, and I also performed in Golda with Anne Bancroft. During that production, I even got to know Golda Meir, which was extraordinary. I worked with Audrey Hepburn in the film They All Laughed, directed by Peter Bogdanovich. It really was a beautiful, rich childhood.
I always knew I wanted to act. It wasn’t something I was pushed into—I asked for it. I had this inner knowing, this sense of joy and passion that guided me. So I don’t look back on that time with any regret. It was a gift.
question: Was there a turning point that led you away from acting?
Glenn: Yes, there was. My challenge wasn’t the work—it was more personal. I knew I was gay, and at that time, especially in the 1980s, the world wasn’t very accepting. Even in the entertainment industry, which you might assume would be more open, there was pressure to stay quiet. You couldn’t really live authentically.
When I was 18, after the show ended and I had done some additional projects, I realized I needed to step away from the spotlight. I wanted to be myself. I didn’t want to live a life where I had to hide who I was. So I made the decision to leave acting and focus on discovering who Glenn really was.
I went to NYU Film School and moved back to Manhattan. It’s a place where you can blend in, disappear a little, and just live. That was important to me at the time.
question: How did that period of your life shape your journey?
Glenn: It was deeply transformative. During that time, I fell in love with a wonderful man named Gary Scalzo. We were together for seven years, and he was truly a beautiful soul. Sadly, we lost Gary to HIV/AIDS. I was his caretaker through that experience, and it changed me completely.
That was my true spiritual awakening. Watching someone you love go through that, and ultimately losing them at such a young age—Gary was only 36—it shifts your perspective in a profound way. It taught me that tomorrow is not promised. We all think we have time, but we don’t know that.
I often say I thank Gary every day for sharing his death with me, because through that experience, I learned what really matters. Why waste energy on resentment, anger, or bitterness? We all have the same amount of energy, and we can choose how we use it. I choose to use mine in gratitude, in joy, and in appreciation for each day.
question: Is that what led you to Sedona?
Glenn: Yes, very much so. After Gary passed, I went on that spiritual walkabout I mentioned earlier. That journey is what ultimately brought me to Sedona. And Sedona itself became a major part of my healing.
There’s something about this place—the natural beauty, the energy, the people who are drawn here. It’s incredibly healing. Even now, I make it a point to spend time in nature every day. I love hiking, and sometimes it’s as simple as going into my backyard, taking off my shoes, and standing barefoot on the earth. There’s a connection there that’s hard to describe but very real.
For those of us who stay in Sedona, I think that’s part of the calling. It’s about aligning with that energy and living in a more conscious, present way.
question: What are you doing now professionally?
Glenn: My business is called Sedona Now, and it’s very much aligned with that idea of living in the present moment. Sedona Now is a local television station, and we’ve been on the air for 24 years. It’s amazing to think about—time really flies.
When I first moved here, I didn’t have a clear plan. I just trusted that I was where I was supposed to be and that things would unfold. And they did. I co-created a life that feels very authentic to me.
Sedona Now TV is broadcast in hotels throughout the area, as well as on cable. But our main audience is visitors. When people check into hotels like L’Auberge, Amara, Hilton, and others, they turn on the TV and see me welcoming them to Sedona. I guide them through what to see and do—restaurants, hikes, spas, tours, all the experiences that make this place special.
We produce content around all of that—cooking segments, adventure tours, Jeep excursions, and more. It’s about showcasing the best of Sedona and helping people connect with it.
question: You’ve also worked with a larger network, correct?
Glenn: Yes, for the past eight years I’ve partnered with ABC 15 in Phoenix. I host segments on their morning show Sonoran Living. My segments are called Traveler TV, and I focus on Northern Arizona. I like to think of myself as the roving reporter for the region.
Between Sedona Now TV and my work with ABC 15, I stay pretty busy. But I love it. I always say I’d rather be busy than bored. This work keeps me engaged, creative, and connected to the community.
question: As a recognizable figure in Sedona, what do you hope to contribute to the community?
Glenn: I’ve always seen myself as a team player. I love this community deeply, and I want to support it in meaningful ways. One of the main things I can offer is promotion. Whether it’s a local business, a charity, or a nonprofit organization, I try to use my platform to lift others up.
I’ve been a longtime supporter of the Sedona International Film Festival, for example. I’ve sponsored it for many years and helped bring attention to it. That’s something I’m very proud of.
At the same time, I’m mindful of how I present Sedona. There’s a balance that needs to be maintained. I focus on the beauty, the light, and the positive aspects of this place. I don’t get into the politics or the more divisive issues. I think my role is to share the joy of Sedona, to highlight what makes it special.
In doing that, I believe I’m contributing in a way that aligns with who I am and what this community represents.
question: Final thoughts on your journey?
Glenn: I would just say that life is about authenticity and presence. Everything I’ve been through—from my childhood in entertainment to my personal losses to finding Sedona—has brought me to a place of gratitude.
Every day is a gift. And if we can remember that, if we can live in the moment and appreciate what we have, then we’re already living a full life. Sedona helped me understand that, and it continues to remind me every day.