David Gere (born February 15, 1975) is an American film producer, actor, artist, and business entrepreneur.
Biography
David James Gere was born and raised in the small town of Cromwell, Connecticut. His mother and sister were tragically killed in a mysterious accident when he was a very young boy. His father, James, an educator, later married Veronica Gere who subsequently became the woman who raised David. After graduating from Cromwell High School, he enrolled at Providence College in Rhode Island on academic and track scholarships. While there, he was signed to a modeling contract by Next Model Management NYC in 1996. The following year he received a BA in Political Science with a minor in Film Studies and was also featured in a European print campaign for GUESS Jeans (1997). Despite his early success as a model, David felt he was more inspired by acting and filmmaking and soon began working both sides of the camera. appearing in short films, documentaries, commercials, and critically acclaimed music videos on MTV2 .
In business, David later got heavily involved with commercial real estate and development in Connecticut. He created several small business ventures before returning to the entertainment industry as a film producer and actor. His directorial debut came in 2021. Gere also owns several bars, nightclubs and restaurants that have been used for filming locations, celebrity appearances and charitable events. Gere was awarded “Top 40 Under 40” by CT Magazine in January 2014, a list of young entrepreneurs and successful business persons.
Gere is known for casting professional wrestlers in his films. This relationship led to legendary professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer suggesting that Gere get involved with sports entertainment; at Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore 3, Gere debuted as his pro wrestling heel manager persona of DG HAVEN. He is currently active in both the House of Hardcore and the Revival Pro Wrestling promotions.
Career
Gere is best known for his role as Frank Meltzer on the CW Network’s hit show Gossip Girl. Gere has also appeared in many television shows and movies, including Ugly Betty, Rocky Balboa, Remains, The Dark Knight Rises, Infected, Self Storage, Army of the Damned, and A Bet's A Bet. In 2014, Gere co-starred in the thriller, Buddy Hutchins with Jamie Kennedy, Sally Kirkland, and Sara Malakul Lane. The story of the film was highlighted in an Entertainment Tonight piece that aired on February 22, 2014, as the film was produced by the youngest movie producer in history, Richard Switzer, who is Gere's producing partner at Switzer Entertainment Group, LLC. In the summer of 2014, Gere was cast as Tyler Lavey in the teen sex caper, School's Out. The character was loosely based on Gere's real life, as he portrayed a nightclub owner who mentors two high school misfits. Gere is a producing partner at the Woodhaven Production company and has produced various feature films including Sensory Perception, Self Storage, Chilling Visions: The 5 Senses of Fear, Army of the Damned, A Bet's a Bet, The Devil's Dozen, and Almost Mercy.
Gere formed a unique relationship with the infamous former mobster, Henry Hill after Hill appeared twice at The Shadow Room. Gere became close to Hill, and they were developing a project together in which Gere was to portray Hill. Hill was famously portrayed by Ray Liotta in the award-winning box office hit, Goodfellas, which was directed by Martin Scorsese. Hill died unexpectedly just days after a meeting with Gere. The future of the film is unknown at this time, but Gere has indicated that he has been in contact with Hill's girlfriend, Lisa Caserta, to revive the project.