Clancy Imislund (July 9, 1927[1]: 156 – August 21, 2020) was an influential figure in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) community. He served as the managing director of the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles for 46 years.[2]
Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Imislund joined the Merchant Marine and the Navy during World War II, when he began struggling with alcoholism.[2] In 1946 he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, planning a career in journalism. He married and began a family,[1]: 156 but recurring issues with alcohol led to frequent job losses and personal difficulties including the death of his son.[2][3] He ended up homeless on Skid Row, Los Angeles.[4] Following his involvement with AA, he achieved sobriety in October 1958 and was able to eventually reunite with his family.[5]
In 1974, Imislund returned to the Midnight Mission, where he was appointed managing director in 1976.[2] Under his leadership, the Mission expanded its services to include substance abuse treatment, job training, and housing support. Imislund also founded the Pacific Group, a prominent AA meeting group, and was a sponsor to numerous individuals.[5][6] He was a sober coach to Carrie Fisher,[7] and helped Anthony Hopkins get sober.[8] He was a close friend of Dick Van Dyke.[9]
Imislund died on August 21, 2020, at the age of 93,[2][10] from complications due to COVID-19 contracted during his recovery from hip surgery.[5]
References
- ^ a b Zolotow, Maurice (December 1984). "Clancy and the Midnight Mission". Reader's Digest. pp. 154–159.
- ^ a b c d e Smith, Doug (August 28, 2020). "Clancy Imislund, longtime director of L.A.-s Midnight Mission, dies at 93". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ I, Clancy. "One of the Funniest Talks Ever!". music.apple.com. Alcoholics Anonymous. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Midnight Mission centennial: How this man went from homeless to managing a shelter". LAist. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Stories of Recovery - The Clancy Imislund Collection". storiesofrecovery.org. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Clancy Imislund-Remembered". More will be revealed. October 1, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Revealed: Carrie Fisher's shocking final phone call". New Idea. January 3, 2017. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ "How Anthony Hopkins beat booze by aiding others". Express. May 10, 2010. Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ "Dick Van Dyke still dancing at 98: 'a beautiful and kind' human being — exclusive". HELLO!. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ Martin, Brittany (August 25, 2020). "Clancy Imislund, a Towering Figure of L.A.'s Recovery Movement, Has Died at 93". Los Angeles Magazine. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
External links
- Midnight Mission video tribute to Clancy Imislund (September 14, 2020) at Facebook
 | This United States biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
