ट्रिविया

Studied screen and stage acting and graduated with a BFA from the Academy of Art University (program originally headed and founded by Diane Baker), and two years worth of Meisner Technique at The Meisner Technique Studio (trained by Jim Jarrett, Sanford Meisner's last teaching protege). Both institutions are based in San Francisco, CA.

Last name pronounced "Guh-Nell," like Shanell.

Surname was supposed to be Lassiter. Bob Gunnell (father) never met his father, Pete Lassiter, so he adopted the last name of his stepfather instead. Gunnell is of Old Norse origin, meaning "Battlestrife.".

Moved to Los Angeles on July 1, 2014 to pursue a professional acting career.

Most inspired by the actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Gary Oldman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Viola Davis, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Fassbender, Ralph Fiennes, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Frances McDormand, Guy Pearce, Joaquin Phoenix, Florence Pugh, Margot Robbie, Michael Shannon, Maggie Smith, Antony Starr, Denzel Washington, Robin Williams, and Kate Winslet.

Portrayed two real life military veterans, for three and a half years (2015-2018), as part of a VA therapist training program through USC's School of Social Work.

Facial comparisons and likenesses have included Paul McCartney, Rob McElhenney, Elvis Presley, and Milo Ventimiglia.

Initial inspirations to pursue acting were Darth Vader in "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope," Scar in "The Lion King," and Taylor Batlin (older sister) in a musical production of "Oliver" when she was a six years old.

Knew acting was his calling by the age of four, and chose it to be his primary profession by age 15.

Upon graduating high school in June of 2006, began pursuing his acting at three different institutions: doing theatre productions with the College of Marin University's Drama Department from 2006-2008, trained briefly in the American Musical and Dramatic Academy's BFA program in Los Angeles (2008-2009), and ultimately achieved his BFA degree via the Academy of Art University's School of Acting (2009-2013, graduating Cum Laude in the Spring of 2013).

In 2015, his sophomore year of living in LA, once gave a Lyft ride to, and conversed with Saoirse Ronan, a couple of weeks before she attended the Oscars as a Best Female Actor in a Leading Role nominee for "Brooklyn.".

A classmate during middle and high school years was Jeannie Catmull, daughter of Edwin Catmull, one of the co-founders of Pixar Animation Studios, and a former president of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Acted in three Bay Area theatre productions directed by James Dunn, who was at the helm of a 1971 College of Marin wild west rendition of William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," featuring a then-student Robin Williams in a principal role. The show was invited to attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that same year where it not only won Best Production, but also gave a command performance for HRH Princess Margaret.

Started growing grey hairs by the age of eleven.

During elementary and middle school years, was best friends with Kayvon Beykpour, Head of Consumer Product of Twitter, and former Co-Founder and CEO at Periscope Co.

Additional acting wins and nominations for the crime/thriller short film "Collar" (2017): Best Actor Winner via the 6 on Nebraska International Film Festival (Cape Town, South Africa, November 2018) the Sand Dance International Film Festival (Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, June 2020), the Big Sur Film Festival (Big Sur, California, USA, February 2021), the BIG BEN International Film Festival (London, United Kingdom, August 2021), and the BR Banshee Drama and Horror Festival (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, May 2024); and Best Actor Nominee via the FIC RIO - Festival Internacional de Curtas no Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, March 2022).

Covid 2020 brought about principal parts in the following: a made-for-TV movie (supporting role, principal photography wrapped in July of 2020, and its airing will be on the Lifetime Movie Network on March 5, 2021), an industrial (leading role, principal photography wrapped in October of 2020), and two indie feature films (both supporting roles, principal photography wrapped in July 2020, and December 2020).

Played a supporting role in a music video for singer/songwriter Olivia Rox, which hit #23 on the charts for USA Today on October 18, 2021.

Will be returning to the stage for the first time since 2017, to play the principal role of Laertes in Byron Haigh's Folio production of "Hamlet." The show is with the company 4 Lost Souls Productions, and will have a theatrical run in Los Angeles at the Zenith Theatre, all of February 2024.

Additional accolades and nominations for the short film "In Sunshine and in Shadow" (2024): Winner for Best Performance at the Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival at the Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival (Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK / March 2025); Semi-Finalist for Best Actor at the Stockholm City Film Festival (Stockholm, Sweden / November 2024); One Nomination for Best Actor in a Movie at the Stars Choice Awards (Lehi, Utah, USA / November 2024); And One Nomination for Best Thriller at the Cinematography & Photography Awards (London, England, UK / January 2025).