Robert Gant

Robert Gant was born Robert John Gonzalez on July 13, 1968, in Tampa, Florida. His acting career commenced at an early age, starring in television commercials and becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild by the age of ten. He pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in English literature, and later obtained a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1993. During his academic years, he continued to engage in performing arts, participating in singing groups and theatrical productions. A pivotal moment occurred when the Los Angeles office of his law firm, Baker & McKenzie, closed, prompting Gant to dedicate his full attention to the entertainment industry.

His career as an actor spans several decades, encompassing a wide range of roles. From 2002 to 2005, Gant was prominently featured as Professor Ben Bruckner in Showtime’s acclaimed series “Queer as Folk.” This role was notable for portraying the first legal gay marriage on American television, showcasing his ability to navigate complex dramatic narratives. Beyond this, he held recurring roles in various series, performed in television and theatrical films, and took on the role of television’s first gay spy in the film “Kiss Me Deadly” in 2008. His extensive list of guest appearances includes a memorable role on “Friends,” where he played a character simultaneously dating Phoebe Buffay. More recently, he has appeared as Melissa Benoist’s Kryptonian father Zor-El on “Supergirl” (2015-2016) and as Todd Crimsen on the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” (2017-2020).

Beyond his acting achievements, Gant has contributed to Hollywood as a producer and writer. He was a producing partner in Mythgarden, a production company whose feature film “Save Me” (2007), starring Gant alongside Judith Light and Chad Allen, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He further expanded his creative contributions by co-producing, co-writing, and starring in the Netflix-distributed historical drama “Milada” (2017), which recounts the true story of Czech heroine Milada Horakova. In addition to his professional endeavors, Robert Gant is a dedicated advocate for philanthropic and political causes, particularly focusing on aging within the gay community. He has supported organizations such as SAGE (Senior Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and GLEH (Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing), and received the ADL Heroes Award from the Anti-Defamation League in 2016 for his advocacy work.