An eighth generation native of the Ozarks and graduate of the University of Arkansas, Gary Newton resigned as Executive Vice President of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to accept a national scholarship to train at New York's American Musical & Dramatic Academy. Since his first professional job as a Sprocket on Saturday Night Live, he has had principal and/or recurring roles in 20 network television series, ten films, and innumerable stage, short film, commercial, gaming and industrial productions.

As a filmmaker, Gary produced, wrote and directed “Jo's Town,” a feature documentary, which was named Best American Feature Film by the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival, Best Documentary by the KAN Film Festival, and Finalist in the International Family Film Festival. He co-founded the Arkansas Production Alliance (arfilm) and served as acting chairman and founding board member of the Arkansas Motion Picture Alliance (AMPI).