Biografia
With 20 years of experience in film and television, Gary began his career as an actor, appearing in over 30 films and a dozen TV shows. In the mid-1990s, he transitioned to working behind the camera, producing commercials and independent films. Over time, he secured development deals with various companies and consulted on numerous independent films and TV shows.
His first produced feature was "Venice Bound" (1995), a successful collaboration with director James O'Brien, which screened at several prestigious film festivals. His next film, "Davis is Dead" (1998), starred Norman Reedus, Alexis Arquette, and John Diehl. This was followed by "Me and Will" (1999), a story about two women bikers traveling across the country in search of the Easy Rider chopper, featuring Patrick Dempsey, Keanu Reeves, Emmet Walsh, Michael Bowen, Grace Zabriskie, Billy Wirth, and Seymour Cassel. Next came "Play Dead" (2001), starring Nathan Bexton and Diva Zappa.
Gary took a break from producing to focus on acting, guest-starring on shows such as "Sweet Justice," "Baywatch," "Charmed," "Judging Amy," and "The Shield." He held regular and recurring roles on "Days of Our Lives" and "ER." His TV movies include "Sleeping With the Devil," where he acted opposite Shannon Doherty. He then appeared in "Almost Famous," working with director Cameron Crowe and executive producer Steven Spielberg for six months. Over the past five years, he has focused on independent and festival films, including "White Wall," filmed in China; "The Calm at the Edge of the Sea"; "Distortion"; "Man Without a Head," with Shannyn Sossamon and Taryn Manning; "Aftermath," featuring Chris Penn, Anthony Michael Hall, Frank Whaley, Elisabeth Rohm, and Tony Danza; and "Reservation Road," directed by Terry George, opposite Mira Sorvino, Mark Ruffalo, and Joaquin Phoenix.
He maintained involvement in producing by consulting on independent films, TV shows, and production companies. During this time, he executive produced "The Bondage" (2008), starring Michael Angarano, Illeana Douglas, Griffen Dunne, and Andy Dick. He then produced "Wish You Were Here" (2009), a cross-country road trip feature currently in post-production, set to debut on the 2011 festival circuit. He is collaborating with producer Gina Amoroso ("Revolutionary Road") on developing a film titled "High Ceilings." In addition to producing, he has co-written five screenplays slated for circulation early next year.
In early 2010, Gary co-led XmarksThe productions with producer/writer/director Jefrey Levy, a fully funded company producing low-budget films, with 25 projects in development.
In 2012, Gary focused mainly on acting in films such as "Windsor Drive," "Strangelhold," "Retribution," "Hyperfutura," and "Black Tar Road," the latter of which he also co-wrote.
In 2013, Gary and producing partner Lisa Astakhova began collaborating on films. They recently completed "Western Religion," a western in which Gary also co-starred, and are preparing to shoot their next film, a comedy titled "All My Boyfriends Girlfriends."
That same year, Gary, Lisa, and entrepreneur Ron Wilson founded Verge Media, an independent film production, music, and literature company with an online presence dedicated to emerging and undiscovered artists worldwide. Laffest, a company spotlighting comedians, was the first division launched under Verge Media.
