David Gere

David Gere was born and raised in Cromwell, Connecticut, and attended Cromwell High School. He later attended Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island on an academic and track scholarship. He is considered to be a notable alum of both schools. Gere was signed to a modeling contract in NYC before he began acting. During that time he was featured in a European print campaign for Guess. He soon transitioned into acting.[1][2]

In business, David later got heavily involved with commercial real estate and development in Connecticut. He created several small business ventures, before heading back into the entertainment industry as a film producer and actor. Gere also owns several bars, nightclubs and restaurants that have been used for filming locations, celebrity appearances, and charitable events.[3][4] Sequences from the successful horror anthology, Chilling Visions: 5 Senses of Fear were shot at David’s lounge, The Shadow Room, in Middletown, CT.[5]

Gere was awarded “Top 40 Under 40” by CT Magazine in January 2014, a list of young entrepreneurs and successful business persons.[6][7] Gere is known for casting professional wrestlers in his films.[8][9][10] 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 at both House of Hardcore and the Revival Pro Wrestling promotions.[11]

Gere is best known for his role as Frank Meltzer on the CW Network’s hit show Gossip Girl. David 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.[12][1] In 2014, Gere co-starred in the thriller, Buddy Hutchins, with Jamie Kennedy, Sally Kirkland, and Sara Malakul Lane.[13][14] 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.[15] In the Summer of 2014, David 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.[16] Gere is a producing partner at the Woodhaven Production company, which has had a run of successful films, including Inkubus, Infected, Self Storage and Army of the Damned.[17] David 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.[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Gere formed a unique relationship with the infamous former mobster, Henry Hill after Hill appeared twice at The Shadow Room.[25][26] David became close to Hill, and they were developing a project together in which David was to portray Henry. 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.[27] [28]

• David Gere at IMDb