Oklahoma City Actor Turned Police Officer Still Chasing His Dream

You may recognize him from his work in some well-known local commercials, but Sgt. Rob Gallavan is also known for his work patrolling the streets and appearing on the theater stage as well as the Silver Screen.

He's done Shakespeare in the Park at the Myriad Gardens and also Shakespeare's Henry V at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He's even done movies in Los Angeles. But this actor turned officer calls Oklahoma City home.

"The funny thing is I've had more acting work here than I did when I was in New York,” said Gallavan. “It's probably because I'm happy here. I'm relaxed. I have a great day job, so if I don't get a great film part, that's OK. I can get in my black and white and go take calls."

So how does he do both?

"I work 8 days on and 6 days off,” said Gallavan. “And so I kind of juggle my rehearsal schedules or auditions on my days off.”

Add in his vacation time, and he's able to make it work. Right now Gallavan is in two movies that will be featured at the Deadcenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City next month.

There's “SKID” - an intense thriller that takes place on an airplane where Gallavan actually gets to play a bad guy. And then there's “Hollis”, where he plays a deputy sheriff in a small Oklahoma town. He even had a part in the big budget movie “Parkland” produced by Tom Hanks. In that role he plays a secret service agent; not a far stretch for this veteran police officer.

“I love the work in both jobs, you know? I love serving the community during my police duties and then I get the artistic side on my days off,” said Gallavan with a smile.

Gallavan says he also gets the support, and some good natured ribbing, from his fellow officers on the force. He also has the support of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.

“As a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123, Sgt. Rob Gallavan demonstrates that police are well-rounded citizens who also carry a badge,” said John George, President of the FOP Lodge 123. “In addition to serving and protecting our city, he is a family man, a community servant and an experienced and talented actor.”

Rob says there are some projects he simply can't do because of his police schedule. But that's OK. He says he moved back to Oklahoma City from New York so he could raise his family here.

"I grew up here,” said Gallavan. “We moved here in 1985 and I went to college here. This is home."

So don't be surprised if you see this famous face, both off screen and on.

This summer Gallavan will be working behind the scenes, promoting Oklahoma City's Shakespeare in the Park, which will take place at the Myriad Garden Water Stage. Gallavan was recently elected President of the board for the acclaimed acting troupe.

And he's not the only actor on the force. MSgt. Phil Paz acts on the silver screen part-time on top of patrolling metro streets full-time.

And some other Oklahoma City police officers also had parts in the TNT TV Series “Saving Grace” starring Holly Hunter.