Becky is the co-founder and CEO of Ariel Investigations, Inc., and is best known in the entertainment industry as “Hollywood P.I. Becky.” Her breakthrough came with the IFC documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated, which investigated the MPAA rating system. She later worked on Outrage and The Invisible War and has spent nearly three decades as a private investigator.

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Many people ask whether being a private investigator is fun and glamorous. Fun? At times, absolutely. Glamorous? Not really—unless, of course, you are a Hollywood P.I.

As a child, Becky was endlessly curious, always poking around in other people’s business. She saw and overheard things no child should have known at such a young age. Playing spy was her favorite game, though she never imagined she would one day become one in real life.

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The news offers a filtered glimpse of the world’s darker side, but nothing compares to witnessing it firsthand. Becky saw young boys using drugs or drinking alcohol before school. She witnessed intimate acts taking place on public streets by homeless individuals and inside cars by cheating spouses. She stood in phone booths while intoxicated strangers relieved themselves nearby, unaware—or uncaring—that she was there. Some cases were so disturbing, particularly those involving child abuse or bestiality, that she cried herself to sleep afterward.

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Even her vehicle was not spared. During surveillance, people spit on it, smeared mayonnaise on the windows, threw objects, let the air out of her tires, and even attempted to steal it while she was inside. On one occasion, two men leaned against her van and bragged about deceiving women with false declarations of love just to have sex. Every instinct told her to confront them, but maintaining her cover always came first.

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Over the years, Becky’s cases ranged from stalking, harassment, theft, kidnapping, murder, terrorist cells, and fraud to infidelity and missing persons. These experiences tested her faith and patience in profound ways. There were many moments when she had to ask God for the strength to resist taking justice into her own hands. Through it all, she learned to appreciate life’s smallest blessings—green grass, quiet streets, clean air, and genuinely kind people. Not every day was dark. Surveillance also gave her a front-row seat to nature’s quiet beauty: crows demonstrating their intelligence, squirrels darting across sidewalks, dogs and cats roaming freely, and breathtaking views of deserts, mountains, and oceans.

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Why does Becky remain in this profession despite its challenges? Justice. She has the privilege of helping victims and survivors find closure, uncovering the truth, and holding dishonest people accountable. For those who feel lost or powerless, she is able to offer direction, clarity, and support.

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Being a female private investigator comes with distinct advantages. People rarely suspect her, allowing her to move unnoticed. Security guards open gates with a smile, and both children and adults confide in her easily. She often dresses in Disney-themed clothing, which makes her appear approachable and nonthreatening.

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Becky is a lesbian, a mother, a rape survivor, and a grandmother. As she continues this work—whether uncovering lies or helping someone heal from betrayal—she remains deeply grateful. This career has shown her the world at its worst, but it has also taught her to cherish everything she has. None of it would have been possible without her partner, Cheryl, and God by her side.

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Over the years, Becky has handled everything from pro bono abuse cases to high-profile and complex investigations, including celebrity matters, often traveling throughout California to advocate for her clients. She has also provided security and executive protection for individuals such as Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, Chaz Bono, Molly Ringwald, Queen Latifah, Randy Quaid, and Margaret Cho, as well as at major events including the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.

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At the core of her work is advocacy—for women, children, and animals affected by abuse, stalking, harassment, and domestic violence. It is demanding work, but deeply meaningful. Some of the most memorable cases she handled were anything but ordinary.

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They ranged from high-profile matters involving Randy Quaid and Gloria Allred to dangerous encounters with mobsters and gangs who later came after her. Becky handled cases involving a woman who urinated publicly in a Glendale Galleria parking lot, a father drunk at home with his child inside, and a naked man who ran outside moments before his house caught fire. She chased thieves to assist police officers, was attacked by a turkey in the line of duty, and exposed a woman falsely claiming paraplegia to continue receiving money from Kaiser Hospital—when she was, in fact, fully mobile.

 

Other cases included investigations involving Gregory Peck’s daughter-in-law, animal abuse, child abuse, drug activity, and countless situations that required walking into chaos with little more than instinct, experience, and resolve. She investigated a terrorist cell that was turned over to the FBI in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001. These are the kinds of cases people never imagine when they think of private investigation—and yet they are very real.

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Becky has many more stories and firmly believes they would make for a compelling and authentic television series. Years ago, she was asked to develop a show based on her work. At this stage in her life, however, she recognizes that Hollywood is focused on younger, more marketable leads—and she is realistic about that.

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She previously served as a technical consultant on the P.I. television series Stumptown. Unfortunately, many of the core investigative realities she raised were not incorporated. As a result, the portrayal lacked authenticity, and that disconnect may have contributed to the show’s failure. Audiences can tell when something feels manufactured rather than lived-in, especially in a profession as nuanced as private investigation.

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Authenticity matters—and very few people, on or off screen, can carry it convincingly.