Idyllwild has a community full of people from all backgrounds, personalities and talents. Marcia Waldorf fell in love with Idyllwild the first time she came into town in 1969 while on a trip. 

“I had always gone to Big Bear and never had heard of Idyllwild,” Waldorf said. “But when I came around that corner and saw Lily Rock, I knew I wanted to live here.”

Musician, entertainer and marketing guru Marcia Waldorf
Photo courtesy of Marcia Waldorf

She bought her home here in 1977 and has been here ever since. “It’s my favorite place,” Waldorf admits. “No matter where we go on vacation or travel, just knowing we were coming back here was like a high place and something to look forward to.”

Waldorf has been in the entertainment industry her entire life. She was a singer/songwriter in the 1970s and recorded two albums — one with Capricorn Records and the second with United Artists. 

“I toured opening for Tina Turner in England during that time, and before that, I was a classical cellist,” Waldorf said.

Waldorf was living in Los Angeles part-time working on a lot of advertising and jingles as a songwriter, including a two-year radio campaign for Neutrogena when she found herself interested in infomercials.

“I started doing a lot of infomercials and I loved it,” Waldorf said. “I was learning about new products and working with people. After interviewing hundreds of people and having that dialogue, I would sometimes tell them things I’d never told anyone before just so they would be comfortable sharing their feelings. Working with people is such a blessing. It’s one of my favorite things.”

Waldorf did her first infomercial on how to repair and reestablish your credit. Actress Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on the television show “Gilligan’s Island,” was the star.

In 1998, Waldorf and her husband Jim Crawford started their own direct-response marketing company called Waldorf Crawford.

Since then, Waldorf and Crawford have teamed-up working on multiple infomercials. Everything from beauty products to glasses, auto repair to computer products. 

No matter what the product Waldorf explains, “At the end of the day, people aren’t buying products, they are buying feelings. It’s making them feel prettier, thinner, making their families better. Whatever the benefit is, they buy how they’re going to feel.”

With COVID-19 practically shutting down the entertainment industry, Waldorf has been able to continue to work from home. 

“One thing that I like being in Idyllwild for what I do, it is peaceful. It’s quiet at night. I write, edit and direct from home. I can be in the studio digitally, which I can do from home.”

Waldorf has extensive knowledge in the industry, and with that, she feels she must help others by sharing what she knows. “As far as I’m concerned, what we can do is help mentor people. That’s what my life is about. I could care less about money. I know that we are all in this together. If somebody doesn’t have the kind of budget they need, I want to make it possible for them to do it anyway. Whatever I have is yours.”

As Waldorf fought back tears, she spoke of the importance of helping people instead of breaking them down. Going beyond the entertainment industry, she talked about her father who always supported and loved her, showing her compassion and respect. Having that as a role model taught her how to treat others, which is at the core of all she does.

“My dad died in 1989, but he was my hero,” Waldorf said. “While providing solid guidance and being a great role model for integrity, kindness and generosity, he accepted me.” Waldorf ended with, “Whatever I can do to make people feel good about themselves, it’s an instant deposit in the love bank. That’s what it’s all about.”