Biografía
Gary DePew grew up in San Diego, creating backyard films with his lifelong friend Brian Peck using an 8mm camera. His first taste of Hollywood came during a taping of The Carol Burnett Show when Burnett invited him onstage for a song and a kiss. That year, Burnett won an Emmy, and DePew jokingly credits himself with playing a part in the award.
He went on to earn a business administration degree from USC, supporting himself by working as a background extra. Notably, he portrayed a leg amputee on series like MASH, Quincy, Hill Street Blues, and Dynasty. As his grandfather remarked, losing a leg finally gave Gary a foot in the door. This unique "talent," combined with his business skills, helped him secure roles as peg-legged robots, first in MGM's Ice Pirates and later in Captain EO, a 3D musical attraction that delighted Disneyland visitors for over ten years. These opportunities led to collaborations with George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, and Michael Jackson.
Gary then became Michael Jackson's production accountant for multiple music videos and eventually served as production manager on the feature-length Moonwalker under Jackson's MJJ label. He later co-founded Force Majeure Productions with Brad Southwick at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, producing seven direct-to-video films under the SAG low-budget agreement. Following that, he launched Avalon Family Entertainment, raising private equity to produce G-rated live-action films inspired by fairy tales, fables, and legends. With over 20 feature films to his credit, he is a proud member of the Directors Guild of America.
After stepping away from the film world, Gary spent about a decade as a serial entrepreneur, successfully launching companies in technology, health care, and finance. He looks forward to returning to filmmaking once he decides to pause his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Currently, he lives in Florida with his husband Andrés and their Samoyed, Oka, proudly holding the unique distinction of being the first one-legged amusement park thrill ride to win an Emmy.
