Gary Kohn

Having 20 years experience in the business in both film and television, Gary began his career as an actor. He has appeared in over 30 films and a dozen TV shows. In the mid 90's he began working behind the camera and produced commercials and independent films. Over the years he has had development deals at various companies and consulted on many independent films and television shows, as well. His first feature produced was "Venice Bound"(1995), a collaboration with director James O'Brien, which proved successful. The film screened at a half dozen well renowned film festivals. His next film "Davis is Dead"(1998) starred Norman Reedus, Alexis Arquette and John Diehl. This was followed by "Me and Will"(1999), the story of two women bikers who travel across the country in search of the Easy Rider chopper. It starred Patrick Dempsey, Keanu Reeves, Emmet Walsh, Michael Bowen, Grace Zabriskie, Billy Wirth and Seymour Cassel. Following that was "Play Dead"(2001), starring Nathan Bexton and Diva Zappa. Gary took a hiatus from producing to focus on his acting where he guest starred on shows like "Sweet Justice", "Baywatch", "Charmed", "Judging Amy" and "The Shield". He played regular and recurring roles on "Days of Our Lives" and "ER". Movies of the Week include, "Sleeping With the Devil", working opposite Shannon Doherty. He then landed "Almost Famous", where he worked with director Cameron Crowe and executive producer Steven Spielberg for six months. Starring in mostly independent and festival films is what he has done for the last five years with projects such as "White Wall" which shot in China, "The Calm at the Edge of the Sea", "Distortion", "Man Without a Head" with Shannyn Sossamon, and Taryn Manning, "Aftermath" with Chris Penn, Anthony Michael Hall, Frank Whaley, Elisabeth Rohm and Tony Danza. He also worked with Terry George on "Reservation Road", working opposite Mira Sorvino, Mark Ruffalo and Joaquin Phoenix. He still kept a hand in producing by consulting for Independent films, TV shows and production companies. During this period he executive produced "The Bondage"(2008) starring Michael Angarano, Illeana Douglas, Griffen Dunne and Andy Dick. He then went on to produce "Wish You Were Here"(2009), a cross-country road trip feature currently in post-production. It will debut on the 2011 festival circuit. He is working with producer, Gina Amoroso(Revolutionary Road) in development on a film titled "High Ceilings". In addition to producing he has co-written 5 screenplays to begin circulation early next year. In the beginning of 2010 Gary ran XmarksThe productions with Producer/Writer/Director Jefrey Levy. A fully funded company producing low budget films that currently have 25 films in development. In 2012 Gary worked mostly as an actor in the films "Windsor Drive", "Strangelhold", "Retribution", "Hyperfutura" and "Black Tar Road" which he also co-wrote. In 2013 Gary and producing partner Lisa Astakhova began making films together. They just finished "Western Religion", a western that Gary also co-starred in and are currently preparing to shoot their next film a Comedy called "All My Boyfriends Girlfriends". Also in 2013 Gary, Lisa and business entrepreneur Ron Wilson created Verge Media, an independent film production, music and literature company with an online presence focusing on emerging and unknown artists in communities from around the world. in 2013. Laffest, a company that spotlights comedians is the first division of the company to launch.