Gary Freedman
Gary has worked in Television Production for nearly three decades. Holding a degree in Film and TV production, Gary’s journey began at Turner Classic Movies (TCM), where he dedicated 21 years of passion and expertise. Starting as an assistant, he quickly transitioned to work with the Studio Production team, forming a pivotal friendship with the esteemed host Robert Osborne. This collaboration not only fostered a deep friendship but also became a rich educational experience in the realm of classic films.
Under Osborne’s mentorship, Gary evolved into a primary producer, playing a crucial role in shaping popular TCM franchises such as Guest Programmers, Images in Film (which showcased minority depictions in film), Private Screenings, live shows from the Classic Film Festival, and the TCM/Criterion partnership FilmStruck. He has worked with a wide variety of talent including Cher, Liza Minnelli, Michael Douglas, Drew Barrymore, Peter O’Toole, Spike Lee, and Bradley Cooper. His career trajectory saw him becoming one TCM’s directors, where he, alongside the talented Studio Production Group, meticulously oversaw film introduction shoots in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.
After an illustrious tenure at TCM, Gary ventured into freelancing in New York and Los Angeles, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in the industry. His journey took a new turn when he joined E.W. Scripps, embarking on an exciting challenge with the launch of a National News Network based back in Atlanta, as Editorial Guest and Talent Producer. Gary is currently a freelance talent producer booking for a wide array of stories including politics, travel, technology, equality, and naturally, his first love—movies.
Gary is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. His passions include equality, aviation, travel, technology, and taking care of his lifelong best friend who he is proud to say is his mother. When asked to describe himself in ten words or less, Gary simply said, “I have a lot of chutzpah, but I’m sure you already know that.” Gary found it difficult to only use ten words, as he’s always been a man of many, many words.