:David Gere

David James Gere was born in Cromwell, Connecticut. His mother and sister were killed in an accident during his childhood. He was subsequently raised by his father, James, an educator, and his stepmother, Veronica Gere. Gere graduated from Cromwell High School and attended Providence College in Rhode Island on academic and track scholarships. In 1996, he signed a modeling contract with Next Model Management NYC. He graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Film Studies. That same year, he was featured in a European print campaign for GUESS Jeans. Gere then pursued interests in acting and filmmaking, working both in front of and behind the camera in short films, documentaries, commercials, and music videos, including those on MTV2.{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1020877/ |title=David Gere |website=IMDb}}{{cite web |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Acting-with-the-stars-11929954.php |title=Acting with the stars |first1=Jennifer Shafer |last1=Wood |first2=Special to |last2=Weekend |date=December 31, 2008 |website=The Middletown Press}}

In business, David got involved with commercial real estate and development in Connecticut. He created small business ventures before returning to the entertainment industry as a film producer and actor. His directorial debut came in 2021. Gere owns bars, nightclubs, restaurants that have been used for filming locations, celebrity appearances and charitable events.{{cite web |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Film-crew-to-shoot-movie-scenes-at-the-Shadow-11863011.php |title=Film crew to shoot movie scenes at the Shadow Room in Middletown Sunday |date=January 14, 2011 |website=The Middletown Press}}{{cite web |url=http://courantblogs.com/java/gere-mears-short-hernandez-hgtv-all-ct-news/ |title=Gere, Mears, Short, Hernandez, HGTV…All CT News | Java |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302005521/http://courantblogs.com/java/gere-mears-short-hernandez-hgtv-all-ct-news/ |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=dead}} Gere was awarded “Top 40 Under 40” by CT Magazine in January 2014, a list of young entrepreneurs and successful business persons.{{cite web |url=https://patch.com/connecticut/middletown-ct/david-gere-connecticut-magazine-40-under-40 |title=For Filmmaker, Connecticut River Valley's Stars are Brighter Than Tinseltown's |date=January 28, 2014 |website=Middletown, CT Patch}}{{cite web | url=http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connecticut-Magazine/February-2014/40-Under-40/index.php?cparticle=2&siarticle=1 | title=Connecticut Magazine }}

Gere is known for casting professional wrestlers in his films.{{cite web |url=http://ww5.thecutmag.com/ |title=thecutmag.com |website=ww5.thecutmag.com}}{{cite web |url=https://hiphopwired.com/73676/dmc-reignites-acting-career-in-hard-luck-gangster-flick/ |title=DMC Reignites Acting Career In "Hard Luck" Gangster Flick |date=January 12, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://thesource.com/2011/01/12/dmctostarinfilmalongsidediamonddallaspage/ |title=DMC to Star in Film Alongside Diamond Dallas Page | the Source |access-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822015244/http://thesource.com/2011/01/12/dmctostarinfilmalongsidediamonddallaspage/ |archive-date=August 22, 2014 |url-status=dead}} This relationship led to legendary professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer suggesting 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.{{cite web |url=http://totallydriventv.com/?p=15495 |title=Movie Producer turned Wrestling Manager, DG Haven has arrived. | Totally Driven Entertainment |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085619/http://totallydriventv.com/?p=15495 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |url-status=dead}}

Gere is best known for his role as Frank Meltzer on the CW Network’s hit show Gossip Girl. Gere has also appeared in television shows and movies, including Ugly Betty, Rocky Balboa, Remains, The Dark Knight Rises, Infected, Self Storage, Army of the Damned, and A Bet.{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/entertainment/hc-xpm-2012-07-23-hc-connecticut-actor-david-gere-has-cameo-in-dark-knight-rises-20120723-story.html |title=Connecticut Actor David Gere Has Cameo In 'Dark Knight Rises' |first=Hartford |last=Courant |website=courant.com|date=July 23, 2012 }} In 2014, Gere co-starred in the thriller, Buddy Hutchins with Jamie Kennedy, Sally Kirkland, and Sara Malakul Lane.{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/73910/first-details-buddy-hutchins-starring-jamie-kennedy-exclusive-behind-scenes-still#axzz2uPjJ9SgC |title=First Details on Buddy Hutchins Starring Jamie Kennedy; Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Still - Dread Central |website=www.dreadcentral.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301125410/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/73910/first-details-buddy-hutchins-starring-jamie-kennedy-exclusive-behind-scenes-still |archive-date=2014-03-01}}{{Cite web|url=http://horrornews.net/81484/buddy-hutchins/|title = Buddy Hutchins Filming Now – New Thriller from Youngest Producer in History|date = February 4, 2014}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.switzerent.com |title=SWITZER ENTERTAINMENT GROUP: Home: Welcome to SEG |access-date=April 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305055834/http://www.switzerent.com/ |archive-date=March 5, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://horrornews.net/86265/interview-richard-switzer-schools/|title = Interview: Richard Switzer (School's Out)|date = July 10, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/56417/producer-chad-verdi-attaches-eric-roberts-upcoming-film-self-storage#axzz2uPjJ9SgC |title=Producer Chad A. Verdi Attaches Eric Roberts to Upcoming Film Self Storage - Dread Central |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302092127/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/56417/producer-chad-verdi-attaches-eric-roberts-upcoming-film-self-storage#axzz2uPjJ9SgC |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/64232/filmmaker-chad-verdi-taps-tom-denucci-direct-army-damned-filming-begins-april#axzz2uPjJ9SgC |title=Filmmaker Chad A. Verdi Taps Tom DeNucci to Direct Army of the Damned, Filming Begins in April - Dread Central |website=www.dreadcentral.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302060202/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/64232/filmmaker-chad-verdi-taps-tom-denucci-direct-army-damned-filming-begins-april |archive-date=2014-03-02}}{{cite web |url=http://www.investorideas.com/CO/WHP/news/2013/06041.asp |title=Investorideas.com – Breaking Movie News: RI Filmmakers Chad A. Verdi and Gino Pereira tap A-list actress Mena Suvari (American Beauty, American Pie) for their next feature film, A Bet's A Bet |website=www.investorideas.com}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2013/11/03/news/local/762132.txt |title=Brass City movie wraps Republican American |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116000755/http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2013/11/03/news/local/762132.txt |archive-date=November 16, 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/entertainment/hc-xpm-2013-10-30-hc-movie-shoot-in-connecticut-20131030-story.html |title=Corbin Bernsen, John Savage Among Stars Filming 'Sensory Perception' In CT |first=SUSAN |last=DUNNE |website=courant.com|date=October 30, 2013 }}http://media.middletownpress.com/2013/01/02/2012-middletown-press-year-in-photos/#34http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/74294/woodhaven-announces-new-project-almost-mercy-bill-moseley-and-kane-hodder-star#axzz2v4IJicki {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}

Gere formed a relationship with the infamous former mobster, Henry Hill after Hill appeared twice at The Shadow Room.{{cite web |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Former-mobster-Henry-Hill-visits-The-Shadow-Room-11878332.php |title=Former mobster Henry Hill visits The Shadow Room for event (video) |first=Claire |last=Michalewicz |date=August 20, 2011 |website=The Middletown Press}}{{cite web |url=http://berlin.ctcitizens.com/story/saga-henry-hill-gangsters-old-habits-die-hard |title=Saga of Henry Hill: A gangster's old habits die hard | Berlin Citizen |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302075022/http://berlin.ctcitizens.com/story/saga-henry-hill-gangsters-old-habits-die-hard |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/entertainment/hc-xpm-2012-06-18-hc-henry-hill-middletown-0619-20120618-story.html |title=Former Gangster Henry Hill Inspired Movie Shoot In Middletown |first=SUSAN |last=DUNNE |website=courant.com|date=June 18, 2012 }}{{cite web |url=https://patch.com/connecticut/middletown-ct/henry-hills |title=Locals Recall Goodfellas' Henry Hill's Visit to City's Old Mob Hangout |date=June 18, 2012 |website=Middletown, CT Patch}}

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Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Cromwell, Connecticut