David Gale Biography

Share |

DAVID GALE (producer) is Executive Vice President of MTV Films, overseeing the activities of the feature film division since its inception in 1995. During his tenure, MTV Films has established itself as a unique movie label with a slate of diverse and successful films that have grossed more than 800 million dollars in domestic box office.

Under Gale's creative leadership and in partnership with Paramount Pictures, MTV Films has released 21 films including “Beavis and Butthead Do America,” “Save The Last Dance,” “Election” (Academy Award®-nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay) and “Tupac: Resurrection” (Academy Award® nominated for Best Documentary).

In 2004, MTV Films released with Fox Searchlight the indie comedy “Napoleon Dynamite,” which proved to be another huge success for the company as it earned critical raves, over $40 million at the box office, and three Independent Spirit Award nominations.

In January, Gale was producer of the MTV box-office hit “Coach Carter,” and this summer, executive producer of “The Longest Yard” with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Nelly which opened to 58 million dollars and grossed 158 million dollars domestically. In July, MTV Films also released the Sundance Festival award winners “Hustle & Flow” starring Terrence Howard, and “Murderball” (released in partnership with THINK Film). In November, MTV Films, in conjunction with Shady/Interscope/Aftermath released “Get Rich or Die Tryin',” starring rapper 50 Cent and directed by Academy Award-nominee Jim Sheridan (“My Left Foot,” “In the Name of the Father,” “In America”).

Some other highlights of Gale's successful tenure at MTV Films include “Jackass: The Movie,” “Orange County,” the Spike Lee directed comedy concert film “The Original Kings of Comedy” and Justin Lin's “Better Luck Tomorrow,” which marked the division's first independent acquisition in 2003.

David Gale came to MTV Films from his position as President of Gale Anne Hurd's Pacific Western Productions. While at Pacific Western, he was executive producer of the feature film, “Safe Passage,” starring Susan Sarandon and co-producer of HBO's “Sugartime,” starring Mary Louise Parker and John Turturro as well as “Witch Hunt” starring Dennis Hopper. Prior to Pacific Western, Gale was Senior Vice President of Ridley Scott's Percy Main Productions, creators of the Academy Award® winning “Thelma and Louise.” Previously, Gale served as Vice President of Business Affairs at International Creative Management, where he worked as an entertainment attorney.

Gale started his career as an attorney in New York, first at Shearman and Sterling and then as an entertainment attorney at Beldock, Levine and Hoffman. Gale graduated with a B.A. from Stanford University and received a law degree from NYU.

Gale is very proud of his philanthropic activities. Currently, he is chairman of Hollywood HEART, which he founded in 1994. Hollywood HEART runs a camp for children affected by AIDS and film workshop programs for at risk children in Southern California. He is also on the Board of Writers Inside Out, which sponsors writing programs for incarcerated youth. Gale also served for 8 years as one of the organizers of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple Food Pantry.