Mark Gantt


Mark Willingham Gantt IV is an American actor, director, producer and writer. Gantt is best known for his role as Neal Bannen in the series The Bannen Way. Gantt grew up in Stockton, California, and comes from a law enforcement family; he drew upon those family experiences as part of the backstory for the title character in The Bannen Way.

Career

Early career

Gantt got his start in the entertainment business working in the art department and props while training as an actor and director at the Beverly Hills Playhouse under Milton Katselas. His credits on television shows and films include Criminal Minds, American Horror Story: Hotel, Ocean's Eleven, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Dexter, Major Crimes, and a role in The Arrangement on E!.

The Bannen Way

Gantt plays the lead in The Bannen Way, which was designed as both a 16 episode web series and feature film. It has been streamed more than 13 million, and was designed "to reach a demographic of men 18-34 years old".

Directorial debut and collaborations

Gantt's feature directorial debut, Murder In Mexico: The Bruce Beresford Redman Story, was based on the real-life events involving CBS'sSurvivor producer, Bruce Beresford-Redman, who was convicted in Mexico of the murder of his wife, Mónica. The film premiered on Lifetime in September 2015.

Directorial work

In April 2016, Mark directed Intricate Vengeance for Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's New Form Digital studio. It was part of the 2016 Incubator program, a series to showcase and produce original scripted pilots. Mark directed branded series for platforms like AOL, Lifetime, and the Better Sleep Council.
In 2010 Gantt directed two episodes of the branded series, Suite 7 with Shannen Doherty, Dexter’s Jaime Murray, Warehouse 13's Eddie McClintock and in 2011, the award-winning short film Donor starring Trevor Algatt and Alexis Boozer.
In the year 2020, Mark Gantt directed two feature films, both of which made their debut on Lifetime. The titles of these films were A Deadly Price For Her Pretty Face.
On October 20, 2023, Mark's fourth feature, Soul Mates was released in theaters. The film was written by Joseph S. Russo and Chris LaMont and stars Annie Ilonzeh, Charlie Weber, and Neal McDonough.

Writing Efforts

Gantt co-wrote Her Boyfriend's Deadly Secret with Evan Unruh which premiered on Lifetime and Deadly Infidelity, which premiered on Lifetime.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

In 2021 Gantt co-wrote the Audible series A Devil in the Valley, alongside Paul Holes, and retired FBI Special Agent Jim Clemente.
Mark Gantt and Brianne Davis launched Secret Life, a podcast that discusses love, sex, money, food, addiction, and hidden taboos.

Producer Credits

Mark Gantt worked as a producer on Psychophonia, a thriller directed by his wife, Brianne Davis. Mark and Brianne produced two horror/sci-fi films, The Night Visitor and The Night Visitor 2: Heather's Story.

Speaker

In 2011, Mark hosted the first annual NATPE Digital Luminary Awards in Miami, Florida.

Personal life

Mark Gantt is married to Brianne Davis.

Awards

YearAward ShowCategoryWorkResult
20102nd Streamy AwardsBest Male Actor in a Dramatic Web SeriesThe Bannen WayWon
20102nd Streamy AwardsBest Dramatic Web SeriesThe Bannen WayWon
20102nd Streamy AwardsBest Writing in a Dramatic Web Series shared with Jesse WarrenThe Bannen WayNomitated
20102nd Streamy AwardsBest Branded Web SeriesThe Bannen WayNomitated
20102nd Streamy AwardsBest New Web SeriesThe Bannen WayNomitated
2010Webby AwardBest Drama Web SeriesThe Bannen WayNomitated
2010Webby AwardBest EditingThe Bannen WayNomitated
2011Banff World Media FestivalBest Drama Web SeriesThe Bannen WayNomitated
2011Banff World Media FestivalBest Drama Web SeriesSuite 7Nomitated
2012First Glance Film Festival PhiladelphiaBest Director Short FilmDonorWon
2012Indie Cinema SeriesBest of the FestDonorWon