Biographie
Originating from the high-rise Lincoln projects in Harlem, Gary always had a passion for the arts. After relocating to the Bronx, he was accepted into a specialized program for artistically gifted children, alongside his lifelong friend and collaborator David Zayas (known for Dexter, OZ, Gotham, Bloodline). Later, Gary attended the High School of Performing Arts (FAME School) as a Ballet Major, but soon found himself drawn to acting. One day, he skipped class and walked just a block west from his school on 46th Street to attend a Broadway matinée of Equus, starring Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock on Star Trek) as Dr. Dysart. He was deeply moved by the actors’ powerful performances.
Never looking back, Gary has become an award-nominated actor across television, film, and stage. He is also a founding member of the renowned LAByrinth Theater Company (formerly Latino Actors Base), which he established alongside John Ortiz, Paul Calderon, David Deblinger, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
In addition to numerous theater credits, Gary has collaborated with many top writers, including Pulitzer Prize winners John Patrick Shanley, Nilo Cruz, Lynn Nottage, and Stephen Adly Guirgis. He has worked under the direction of acclaimed directors such as Anna D. Shapiro, Tony Taccone, Brian Kulick, and Jo Bonny at prestigious venues including Steppenwolf, Yale Repertory Theatre, 2nd Stage, The McCarter Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and The Joseph Papp Public Theater. Gary earned a JEFF Award nomination for his role as Cousin Julio in Steppenwolf's historic first all-Latino cast of The Motherfucker with the Hat, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, starring alongside longtime friends John Ortiz and Jimmy Smits.
On television, Gary recently completed a recurring guest star role on the upcoming Fatal Attraction series as Joshua Jackson's defense attorney. His recent TV appearances include Judge Bolden on Law & Order, FOX's The Resident, and the final season of City on a Hill. He has had recurring guest roles on The Blacklist, Law & Order SVU, 13 Reasons Why, The Last Ship, Oz, and The Sopranos. He appeared in the art film Love, starring Susan Sarandon and Boris McGiver, written and directed by the talented James Gallagher. Gary worked with Whoopi Goldberg in the ABC pilot Delores and Jermaine as a series regular and portrayed John Leguizamo’s brother in the acclaimed Netflix miniseries When They See Us, directed by Ava DuVernay. Other guest star roles include Homeland opposite Claire Danes, Blue Bloods, New Amsterdam, Instinct, Chicago PD, Madam Secretary, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, NCIS: Los Angeles, Person of Interest, The Closer, Awake, Prime Suspect, Lie to Me, The Unit, Numb3rs, Without a Trace, Law & Order, and Third Watch.
His film credits include the award-winning Merchant-Ivory film Side Streets, written by Lynn Nottage and Tony Gerber; Illegal Tender, produced by John Singleton and directed by Franc Reyes; and numerous New York indie films, including a lead role in the Harlem-set Chapter & Verse, directed by Jamal Joseph, and the critically acclaimed All About Nina, featuring rapper Common.
