Gary Swanson, a renowned actor, began his career after graduating with honors from C.W. Post College, where he studied English Literature. He put aside a promising career as a professional high diver on The Atlantic City Steel Pier to pursue his passion for acting, taking on the role of Greg Mercer on the NBC Daytime Soap Opera, "Somerset" in New York City.
While starring in the popular daytime drama, Swanson met the legendary acting teacher and father of The Method, Lee Strasberg, and began studying with him at The Actors Studio. After auditioning and becoming one of the few lifetime members accepted into this elite acting company, Swanson studied with Strasberg for eight years, honing his craft and becoming one of the highest-rated actors on television.
Swanson's film career took off in 1974, and he has since starred in fifteen feature films, guest-starred in numerous television series and films, and appeared in hundreds of national network commercials. He has worked with some of the greatest directors in the world, including Arthur Hiller, William Friedkin, Peter Masterson, Nicolas Roeg, and Philip Noyce.
In addition to his acting career, Swanson has a strong teaching background, having taught at Carlin Glynn's Tajas Productions in 1983 and Circle In The Square. He also taught basic technique at The Actors Studio, where he continues to collaborate. In 1994, Swanson was asked to be one of four teachers to launch the Masters Program at the New School of Social Research, which became known as "Inside the Actors Studio."
Swanson has also focused on his own courses, personally coaching many well-known actors and conducting weekly workshops with small groups of developing artists. In 2006, he initiated The Montauk Group, a summer workshop and theater group that has had a profound impact on its participants.
In addition to his acting and teaching work, Swanson writes a monthly column for the Hamptons publication, The Montauk Sun, titled "From An Actor's Point Of View." He is also working on the script for "Lost In The Hamptons," which is currently in pre-production.
Swanson resides between Manhattan and Montauk, New York, and continues to be a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
