Gary Shail - Actor Profile

Gary Shail

Acting
Freshness: Jan 23, 2026
13Total Films
7.0 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 10, 1959
Birth Place: London, England, UK

About Gary Shail

Gary Shail began work in TV and film in 1977 and is best known for his roles as Spider in the 1979 cult classic film Quadrophenia and as Steve, the punky teenager in The Metal Mickey TV Show. Shail appeared in the 1980 series The Further Adventures of Oliver Twist and also played Oscar Drill in Shock Treatment the 1981 follow-up to The Rocky Horror Picture Show and as Guy Raines in the 1983 BBC production Johnny Jarvis. He wrote the original songs and theme music for this production, for which he received a nomination for the Ivor Novello Awards. In 1988, Shail appeared as the tough pimp "Billy White" in the TV mini-series of Jack the Ripper, starring Michael Caine. He has also made appearances in the TV series The Bill and in Casualty and The Professionals. In 1995 Shail began working with music production company Natural Sound Source in London, producing music for television, film and advertising. In 2004 he produced the Arabic fusion album Infinity in Dubai. In 2010 Shail was back in the recording studio working on his autobiographical self-penned album 'Daze Like This.' A collection of new songs interspersed with some re-workings of some Johnny Jarvis themes. The album received critical success, but failed to reach a wider audience mainly due to Shails reluctance to embrace the new 'download' generation. In October 2015 Shail's memoir I Think I'm On The Guest List was published by New Haven Publishing Ltd.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Gary Shail reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 13 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Gary Shail's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 8% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Gary Shail remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Quadrophenia, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Gary Shail Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Gary Shail's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Gary Shail.

Gary Shail - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Gary Shail?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Gary Shail is "Quadrophenia" with a rating of 7.0/10.

How many movies has Gary Shail acted in?

Gary Shail has been featured in at least 13 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Gary Shail?

Other notable films include "Shock Treatment", "Jekyll & Hyde", and "The Bride".