Today we’d like to introduce you to Garrison Oliver Gross.
Garrison Oliver, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Let me start off my saying, I am Gary’s son, Garrison! and I was born in Buffalo, NY. It was very early in life that I became aware of my creative abilities. I would entertain my parents full-time around the house and perform live shows on the porch during the summer season. There was a constant flow of impressions, dramatizations and physical comedy. It made everyone feel better, one laugh at a time.
My parents are filled with love and have served the community their entire life. My father is a charismatic man who loves to tell stories. He has been educating the youth for over fifty years at Cardinal O’Hara High School. My mother, Hedwig “Wahini” Gross consistently inspired me through her Hawaiian Dance Performances. We would travel together and I would help to keep her organized as well as making sure the setup/breakdown of all the events ran smoothly. They encouraged me to go to art school and experiment with performing, visual arts and film production. After graduating from Purchase College in New York, I transitioned to Los Angeles. The proximity to a creative hot spot and having the ability to collaborate with a diverse group of artists was very important for growth and developing a sense of purpose.
When I arrived in town, the LA Film/TV market was bustling and my first booking was on the Netflix show, “Grace and Frankie.” I was introduced to Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. We were creating a scene where Jane’s character was having a solo dance party on top of the bar while Lily’s character was there for moral support. They got a few shots of me reacting and cheering her on. Currently, I have had the opportunity to portray authoritative figures on shows such as “The Face of Evil,” “People Magazine Investigates,” and “Torn from the Headlines: New York Post Investigates.” Today, I’d like to shout out my girlfriend Hazel Calderon. We are passionate about creating viral content and excited about all the opportunities here and now.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This experience has been the wave of all waves. I have felt everything, moving up and down the emotional spectrum on a daily basis. I wanted to feel on a deep level and I wanted to incorporate this into my creative process. To feel is a blessing and that is why I am here. We all have the opportunity to harness our abilities and continue to develop in challenging environments. It can either make you, break you and in most cases it’s a little of both. Time and time again, I have picked up the pieces of a shattered dream and made something beautiful. I’m about Peace, Love and Joy. That being said, it is my primary interest to have a strong sense of well being. My message is to align the mind, body and spirit. Actively programming the mind to think about what you would like to consistently do with your time. Now we start participating in these activities which will in turn create a sense of well being and habitual feeling tones throughout the body. Finally, we ask a great question. How can we use our magnificent passion to make the world a better place?
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am known for my work in documentary-based projects. I love true stories and portraying real people. There is something special about being pulled into a slice of life and letting that authenticity flow through the on-camera performances. Currently, I have portrayed authoritative figures on shows such as “The Face of Evil,” “People Magazine Investigates,” and Torn from the Headlines: The New York Post Reports.” Recently, I had the opportunity to collaborate with writer/producer Eli Tabariai on the medical indie drama “Back in the No.” This project will be screening throughout the festival circuit and distributed on the web streaming platforms. All of these projects now have a life of their own and I’m grateful for that. I continue to live my passion and share it with as many people as possible. All is well.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, we traveled a lot. My life was like a movie and I was always on camera. We filmed everything! I’ve always been a child at heart and encourage to have fun in all my activities. I was naturally kind, empathic and very giving. Today, I bring this energy to each and every production I am involved with. Believe it, my Grandma Gross always knew I would become an actor and she affirmed me as a young talent. In our household, we had a great time creating many beautiful memories. I will always remember when my parents converted the back of our house into a dance studio, where most of my time was spent joyfully choreographing routines and dancing all night. I am forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/garrisonolivergross
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrisonolivergross/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@garrisonolivergross
Image Credit:
Garrison Oliver Gross
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