The Long Story...
Gregory Charles Contaldi, Jr. was born in Secaucus, NJ to his parents Kathleen and Gregory. After a short stay in Bayonne, NJ, the family embarked on an exciting journey to the quaint European country of Luxembourg, where his father took on a short term job relocation.
Following their return to the United States, the Greg's family settled in his father's hometown of Fairfield, NJ where he spent his formative years. He attended West Essex Regional High School in North Caldwell, NJ. After a football injury (a broken pinky from hitting a practice dummy) and an offer to join the upcoming High School Musical, Greg decided to hand in the jockstrap and fully immerse himself in the school's burgeoning performing arts community.
In 2012, Greg achieved the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in scouting. This prestigious accomplishment is rare, with only 4 percent of scouts having earned this esteemed rank since its inception.
During his senior year of high school, Greg founded The West Essex Film Festival. This undertaking showcased his passion for filmmaking and his determination to create a platform for aspiring filmmakers and cinephiles alike. The festival’s highlight was securing David Chase, a 1963 alumnus and creator of HBO’s acclaimed series, The Sopranos as the keynote speaker. Chase’s participation garnered significant attention from the entire school community and beyond.
Greg went on to study at New York University, where he delved into the world of film and television. During his time at NYU, he gained valuable industry experience by working on various notable movies and television shows including: Blue Bloods, Odd Mom Out, John Wick: Chapter 2, The Mysteries of Laura, and The Dr. Oz Show.
In May 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Film & Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, complemented by a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media & Technology from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Later that year, he began working at The Dr. Oz Show where he served as an associate producer on the show’s expanding True Crime Team and frequently contributed as an on-air personality in a variety of segments. Greg was recognized by The National Academy of Television Arts and Science for his contributions to the 2017-2018 season of The Dr. Oz Show, which won The Daytime Emmy Award for Best Informative Talk Show, among other accolades.
Greg created and starred in the comedy web series, Bromance, where he oversaw a writer’s room of 8+ writers. The series ran for three seasons and included special guest appearances from The Irishman’s Bo Dietl; The Sopranos’ Robert Funaro; Blue Bloods’ Abigail Hawk; and Village People’s Jim Newman (Cowboy.) Bromance garnered recognition from 20+ national/international film festivals and received multiple awards including Best Original Story; Best Acting Ensemble; and Best Overall Web Series.
In the Summer of 2020, Greg joined The Drew Barrymore Show at its inception. Amid the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, he actively participated in the show’s remote launch, developing ways to retain the energy and intimacy of a daytime talk show. In his capacity as a segment producer, Greg develops and produces captivating celebrity, lifestyle, and human interest segments. Additionally, Greg’s talent for securing niche human interest guests and experts further enriches the show’s content and appeal. He is currently working on the groundbreaking 26th season of Law & Order: SVU.
Greg remains dedicated to writing, producing, and developing new projects, while also embracing freelance opportunities. As a passionate movie and TV enthusiast, he finds joy in exploring the world of entertainment. Beyond his work, he values health, wellness, and mindfulness, enjoys traveling, and savors the magic of live performances. Keep an eye out, you may even catch him make a cameo or two on Saturday Night Live.
Greg lives in Hoboken, NJ with his Bengal cat, Antoinette.