Rising Stars: Meet Joe Gandurski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Gandurski. 

Hi Joe, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It was a cold and stormy night in November 1948 when the clouds broke and a moonbeam shone on a swaddled newborn, Joe Gandurski, LOL! OK, seriously. I was born to Italian mother/Polish father, grew up in a cold water flat in the Back of the Yards. I had great childhood friendships, many of which endure today! I attended Catholic grammar school and Catholic High School and considered taking a scholarship to DePaul, but tuition was $3,000-scholarship was for $1,000. Time to spread my wings! Enlisted in US Army 1966, a month after graduating HS. Was sent to Military Intelligence Training School and Defense Language Institute where I was trained as Intel Analyst and Prisoner Interrogator with Vietnamese language. 

I was assigned to an IV Corp intelligence group in the Mekong Delta, Oct1967-Oct 1968 which included the infamous Tet offensive. There I travelled throughout the Delta and worked with many units to include Navy Seals, Vietnamese Army, and Special Forces. I helped save a wounded Vietnamese woman during Tet. For my service, I received the Joint Service Commendation Medal. I finished my service in 1969 at Fort Bragg where I served as instructor. 

In 1970, I married my sweetheart, Margaret Flannery and we have been married for 52 years this Oct. We have two great children, Matt, a brilliant musician, and a very talented daughter, Lauren who works in food services, Matt and his wife Julie, have blessed us with two terrific grandchildren, Bennie, 6, and Ellie, 4. They are definitely a bright light in my life. We have lived in Beverly for all our adult lives. 

In Oct 1972, I joined the Chicago Police Department where I was blessed to have served for 31 years and was honored to work with and befriend great individuals. During my time with the Department, I served in many capacities, from Patrol Officer to Mounted Patrol, Violent crime Detective, Hostage Negotiator, Sergeant in Patrol Administration, Detective Division. I was promoted to lieutenant in 1995 and served in Patrol, Detective Division, and administration and became Commanding Officer of the Mounted Unit. 

In 1999, I was promoted to Commander, serving as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. I was then promoted to Deputy Chief of Detectives and then to Deputy Chief of Organized Crime, also serving on the Board of HIDTA, the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. I retired in June of 2003. 

After retirement, I decided to pursue an interest in acting. I took several acting classes and enjoyed local theatre productions, such as “A Few Good Men,” “The Odd Couple,” and “Bleacher Bums.” I made forays to LA where I took more classes, procured a wonderful manager and agent who remain my friends to this day. I appeared in “Criminal Minds” and as Senator Murphy in the film, “Chavez.” 

I also started to write and pursue production possibilities. and have since written four feature screenplays, several short film, screenplays, and a novel, as well as a novelette describing the heroism of women during the Battle of Fort Dearborn. Ultimately, I was able to write, produce and perform the short film “RPG,” which won recognition in several film festivals and an award for “Outstanding Actor” at the Hollywood Golden Film Awards. The film focuses on the ripple effects of loss due to war through generations. 

Currently, I am seeking a publisher/agent for the novel, and producer for the screenplays, Recently, I performed in a student film because I like interacting with young people and am always learning. I am also working with a partner and production company in LA to produce several unscripted television series, to include one that honors the service of women veterans. My latest pet project is to produce a film that focuses on a brilliant young dancer who has made some poor life choices and needs to redeem herself. 

I have a Masters in Arts in Education, I am a member of the FBINAA, (FBI National Academy Associates), and am a licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. As a lifetime member of the VFW, I endeavor to interact with veterans’ organizations. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road which has made my life so much richer. My parents were poor, and my father was always working two jobs. He passed away at 77. My mother suffered chronic illnesses that plagued her for her entire life requiring many surgeries which weighed the family down with medical bills. She ended up passing at 94 years. I was honored to help care for them both over the years. 

For me sometimes politics and policies prevented me from getting due promotions or assignments to special units. So, I had to work extra hard to overcome them, often suffering disappointment and stress. Thanks to my wife and family, I was able to persevere and ultimately become an executive member of the Department. 

As a former law enforcement officer who dedicated his life to honored service, it is especially difficult to see what has happened to the law enforcement profession. 

As for the entertainment aspect, it is also difficult, after all the studies I completed, and the dedication to a new career, to deal with the social and political realities of the current climate in the entertainment industry. 

I also was diagnosed with prostate cancer several years ago. 

I want to acknowledge the tremendous love and support throughout the years from my family, my son Matt and daughter, Lauren, and especially my wife of 52 years, Maggie. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Though I could write volumes on my police career, I would like to share some of my thoughts on my entertainment endeavors. Prior to becoming a police officer, I had taken a couple of acting classes at the Art Institute under Frank Galati, a renowned actor and teacher. His comments inspired me to become an actor. However, shortly thereafter, I was called up for the police department, so I deferred my acting desire for thirty-one years. 

The reason I wanted to take up acting was that I was inspired, not only by Galati’s class but also by plays I saw over the years. I knew I had to first learn whatever I could, so I began classes with a classically trained Hungarian teacher, who inspired me. I did several plays and received a lot of support to continue. Meanwhile, I had an opportunity to appear in a couple of independent feature films where I learned a ton. 

It was a kind of fluke when I searched the then social media page. “My Space” and found a boutique management agency in LA, managed by Sharon Holleran who took me on as a client. I decided to travel to LA but could only stay there for three months due to family requirements including helping with my mother’s care. LA was a marvel to me. I took more lessons where I could, and as many audition workshops as I could, and networked. I learned what the LA scene was about and made several friendships, many I maintain until today. Over the next five years, I made several three-month forays out there and was so fortunate to get a shot at “Criminal Minds” and the film, “Chavez.” One of the best moments was outside the Criminal Minds producer’s office where I ran into Scott David, a great casting director, who I took a class from, announcing, “this guy can really play a cop.” I was treated so well by everyone on the set to include Ed Bernero, the executive producer, and Joe Mantegna. 

Also, on the set of “Chavez,” which was filmed in Hermosillo Mexico, I had a great experience and did an ad-lib scene with John Malkovich. One of the joys on that set was watching the young Hispanic actors, Michael Pena, America Ferrera, and Rosario Dawson, enjoying their success. I had an especially touching moment when I was getting ready to be driven to the airport the next day and Rosario Dawson came to give me a big hug before I left. 

Back in Chicago I also was fortunate enough to land a great role in an independent feature. I played the dying head of a family, and it was a terrific opportunity. However, like a few other indie films I was involved in, it never made it to distribution and those setbacks were very disappointing. 

After self-publishing a novelette about the Women of Fort Dearborn with the help of editor Jonni Anderson, I had an idea to write a film that focused on the ripple effects of loss through generations. I developed the concept in my head. I had the fortune of meeting the brilliant Mary Reynard, who agreed to work with me to make the film a reality and to be the director. Together we were able to create an award inning-short film of which I am very proud. That film has been favorably received by film festivals around the world, and that is very gratifying. I am especially grateful to my brilliant son, Matt, for allowing me to share some of our life together in the film. 

I began to write more after the novelette and over the years have written several feature screenplays, from police-themed ones to international thrillers, to experiences of Vietnam, to a coming-of-age screenplay about a young dancer who makes dome poor life choices and has to redeem herself. I would love to bring that to life. I was inspired to write that screenplay by the success of the young daughter of my former acting coach, who has become a brilliant dancer. A lot of my writing was inspired by being selected to attend a WGA writer’s weekend for veterans and the support I received from the now Veterans in Media and Entertainment organization based in LA of which I am a member. They, and especially Karen Kraft, were instrumental in helping get one of my scripts considered for production by Grindstone entertainment, a subsidiary of Lionsgate. 

I still seek meaningful and memorable roles and am thankful for Susan Acuna my agent here, for Won Lee, my agent, and friend in LA, and for Sharon Holleran, my manager, and friend. 

So, it’s been a wild journey, I am currently trying to get several unscripted projects produced in partnership with the brilliant David Kupcinet, the grandson of cherished Chicago celebrity, Irv Kupcinet, and one of the projects involves showcasing the talents and dedication of female veterans. 

I am fortunate to have met several people along the way who have been gracious and kind with their time such as Joe Mantegna, Ed Bernero, Dennis Franz, and the great Tom Dreesen. 

What sets me apart from others is my sincerity and dedication to excellence, and to using my many experiences to try to understand the human condition. I have witnessed the absolute best and worst of humanity and I am always willing to learn and to share what little I might know with others. 

I have an abiding respect and affection for those who have helped me along the way. I will continue to work at being creative and making a difference until I am no longer. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for anyone starting out in any profession is to be humble, to seek out knowledge, to learn about people’s hearts and passions, and to learn about where the power lies in your particular area of interest. 

I would recommend being a voice for justice, and for being bold and adventurous but always understanding the consequences of your actions. Know that anything you write is forever. 

I would advise that you recognize your vices and how to deal with them, as they will surely affect you and your life. 

I recommend seeking out mentors, those who have been there before and who understand the inner dynamics and hidden protocols and agendas of organizations. 

I recommend always being proactive and positive rather than derisive and negative. I also recommend developing an internal locus of control in which you understand you are the architect of your life, rather than developing a victim mentality. 

Strive to be a master of your craft, you will learn how hard people had to work to become “overnight successes.” 

Develop strong ties to family and friends. They will be there for your triumphs, but more importantly to help support you through those difficult times where nothing seems to be going right. 

Maintain your physical and mental well-being. Both of my careers, the entertainment world, and law enforcement can be soul-crushing, try your best to do your best. Cling to your loved ones, and never forget that family comes first. They were there at the beginning of your life, and it is their faces you will see as you take your last breath. 

Understand that there will be things over which you have no control. Learn how to develop a healthy cognitive process to deal with those things. 

Be grateful for all the good things you have been blessed with and for all the wonderful people in your life. 

Be a “Benevolent Badass” meaning, show kindness and respect to everyone but don’t take shit form anyone either; One of my favorite quotes is from Badass President Teddy Roosevelt. 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jmountie1.wixsite.com/joegandurski
• Instagram: joeygman1
• Facebook: Joey GMan
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2XfAnEWbVmCjFT2M1GJpUA

Image Credits
Zoe Mackenzie photography