To answer your question, I rather work. If right now, the bad guy is the money guy, than the bad guy I will play. I played many “good guys” but no one remembers me getting shot at three times on America’s Most Wanted, but they do remember me being bad in all the other projects. Those who know me know that I have a great sense of humor and good comic timing, so I could very well do a comedy or be the good guy, just right now, Hollywood, and many independents see me in the nemesis role, and I am very comfortable in that lane.  

TalkingWithTami.com: Gary how did you start your career in the acting field?  

My career started with a essay in high school. Patricia Hill, my English teacher, read the essay and realized I was interested in acting. She took me to a table read at Ethiopian Theater to sit in and learn. The actor who was to play Asagai didn’t show, so I had to read in. By the end of the table read, the star and part owner of the theatre, Anthony Bean, would offer me the role. He would then become very instrumental in my growth on stage as an actor. I always get flack from another visionary who saw my talents, Chakula Cha-Jua, a director who actually put me in my first play, The Ladder. Just at that time, the bug hadn’t bit me.  

TalkingwithTami.com: Whats your latest project, and do you find it rewarding? If so please explain?  

I have a few as I do so many things. I am a writer for Tyler Perry Studios, where I get to write for Meet The Browns and House Of Payne. That job is most interesting. Mr. Perry has created a great work environment in which we say a prayer every morning at the table read, very different from most studio lots in Hollywood.  I have also guest starred on both shows, so I love being a part of what my good friend and boss is building in Atlanta. This is my most exciting and challenging job as I work with 6 other writers who are all very different and very talented. Together, we make one great writing team.  

I also have been doing voiceover work for K9 Cops on Animal Planet. I narrate the show. This is a fun show about cops and their dogs. It shows them at work and play, and I love being the voice of this great show.  

On the independent film circuit, I have a few projects floating around out there. Elbows & Vouges was shot in Houston. It is a modern day Romeo and Juliet story starring my good friend Reagan Gomez and A. J. Lamas. I co star as Reagan’s’ overly protective brother who runs a drug cartel.  I also have Chicago Pulaski Jones, a comedy, where I play Daddy J, a club owner who is killed by Pretty Eyed Willie, played skillfully by Kel Mitchell. This one will be huge as it was directed by Cedric The Entertainer.

 Lastly, I wrapped a pilot presentation for Cable TV called Pimpin’ 24/7 about a corporate pimp trying to help his sister raise her sons and get them through college.  This one is awesome. I am associate producer/star and will write on future episodes when it is picked up. P-24/7  was written by Curtis Elerson and Produced by Shannon Rawls with CinemaHill Productions.  Cable will eat this series up.   

TalkingWithTami.com: When your not running around on different movie sets, tell us something fun you like to do, other than acting?  

I like to just relax with the fam or zone out playing fantasy football or Xbox. I like Madden and a few war games or strategy games like Command and Conquer.  

TalkingWithTami.com: Whats your hometown, and was the city you grew up in a big influence on what your doing today?  

New Orleans, the city that care forgot. A common phrase in New Orleans and after Katrina, that phrase could not be more true. New Orleans is a poor city, so you learn how to hustle early. Acting is like hustling to me, so I credit New Orleans for teaching me how to deal with rejection and pressure, elements that are abundant in the field of acting.  A lot of talented people come from my city,  and like them I take pride in where I come from, and some of that swagger shows up on film to be enjoyed by the masses.  Home taught me patience and perseverance; tools that are must haves in my chosen field.  

Thanks soo much!

pics by Inez Lewis Photography