David Gere(I)

David James Gere has amassed a prolific level of credits and important contributions on both sides of the camera since beginning his career in the mid 90's. David grew up in the small town of Cromwell, CT. His mother and sister were tragically killed in a mysterious drowning accident when he was very young. His father, James, an educator, later married Veronica Gere, who raised him. An outstanding student, Gere graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island (1997), receiving a BA in Political Science and a Minor in Film Studies. Early on, David began modeling and working on both sides of the camera in films and commercials. Despite a European print campaign for GUESS Jeans (1997), David was more inspired by acting and filmmaking. He soon began a run of short films, documentaries, and music videos (MTV2) that were critically well-received. He developed a relationship with the emerging Rhode Island directors, Michael Corrente and Peter Farrelly, and got his first acting break in Outside Providence (1999), a film which Peter and his brother Bobby Farrelly produced and Corrente directed. In 2006, David appeared in Rocky Balboa, which he cites as a significant turning point having been directed by his childhood hero, Sylvester Stallone. In 2007, David was cast in The CW Network's hit show Gossip Girl as Frank Meltzer. David is also an experienced stuntman and stunt coordinator, having performed stunts in The Dark Knight (2008) as one of Bane's Mercenaries. After working closely with professional wrestling legend Tommy Dreamer on the horror movie set of Army Of The Damned (2013), David began a career in the squared circle. Under Dreamer's guidance, Gere began performing as the villainous heel manager, DG Haven. The character has a cult level following. David is currently continuing his acting career, and is a producing partner for several major production companies including Verdi Productions and Woodhaven Media. Gere launched his new production company, Shadow Vale Productions in 2018 with partner Chelsea Vale. Notable producing efforts include the boxing biopic Bleed For This (2017) starring Miles Teller, Lionsgate's 1970's crime thriller Vault (2019), Lifetime's highly rated prime time thriller Drowning In Secrets (2022), Johnny & Clyde (2023) starring Megan Fox, Alarmed (2022) and Midnight Hustle (2023) both Tubi Studios Originals, Junction (2023) about the opioid crisis starring Sophia Bush and Heather Graham's directorial debut Chosen Family (2024) starring Graham, Julia Stiles and Andrea Savage of Tulsa King fame. 2023 also brought a significant return to acting, including roles in The Feather Weight, a boxing biopic about famed pugilist Willie Pep, Executive Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way, along with a stand out performance as Sgt. Collins in the John Cusack led WW2 era film, The Fog Of War. Gere turned in a memorable performance as Stephen Mason, a distraught artist in the television feature Secrets At The Museum (2023). The role incorporated an intense car crash stunt sequence which David performed himself. David Gere resides in Connecticut, where he owns several nightlife venues. David is also an accomplished abstract painter, his pieces have appeared in various films, and his work has been commissioned by celebrity peers. David is very devoted to charitable causes for children, ranging from The United Way, to local organizations including an acting program for underprivileged kids, and his own youth mentor program. He often credits his focus for helping young people, along with his drive and desire to create, to the difficult loss he experienced as a boy.