Dave Shalansky is an American actor, writer, and director, known for his role as Harry on Gilmore Girls. His television credits include Grey's Anatomy, The Offer, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and FBI: Most Wanted. His film work includes Rosemead and the short film The Missing Peace, written and directed by Michael Raymond-James. In 2026, Shalansky made his directorial debut with the dark comedy short film Dirt Down.
Early life and education
Shalansky was born and raised in Warwick, Rhode Island, in a Reform Jewish family. He is the son of Leonard "Len" and Ruby Shalansky. His father was a fine artist and illustrator who studied at Cooper Union and Pratt Institute in New York City. His artwork appeared on several Hasbro toys during the 1970s, including the Weeble. His mother worked as an elementary school teacher and later served as executive director of Temple Beth-El (Providence, Rhode Island).
Shalansky earned a BFA in acting from Boston University. He later studied improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles and trained in the Meisner technique with acting teacher Sandy Marshall.
Career
After graduating from Boston University, Shalansky moved to New York City, where he worked in television commercials and in New York and regional theater. In 1997, he appeared in a production of Balm in Gilead. He moved to Los Angeles in 2003 and subsequently began appearing regularly in television and film. Among his early television roles was Harry on Gilmore Girls.
In October 2016, Shalansky participated in a staged reading of the screenplay Good Will Hunting at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The cast included Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Daveed Diggs, Tom McCarthy, Keegan-Michael Key, and Margo Martindale.
Shalansky had a recurring guest role on Grey's Anatomy from 2016 to 2017. He later appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and FBI: Most Wanted. In 2022, he portrayed Henry Kissinger in the Paramount+ limited series The Offer.
In 2023, Shalansky made his Off-Broadway debut in King of the Jews, Leslie Epstein's stage adaptation of his 1979 novel of the same name.
Shalansky also appeared in The Missing Peace, a short film written and directed by Michael Raymond-James and executive produced by Jason Momoa. The film received Best Short Film and Best Acting Ensemble at the 2024 Indie Short Fest in Los Angeles and was selected for the New York Short Film Festival.
In 2025, Shalansky appeared as Principal Stephens in the feature film Rosemead (film), starring Lucy Liu.
In 2026, Shalansky made his directorial debut with the dark comedy short film Dirt Down, written by Barbara Moreno. Shalansky also received an additional writing credit on the film.
As a writer, Shalansky has written his first feature-length screenplay, a comedy-drama currently in development.
Shalansky has also worked as a drummer in rock and power-pop bands in New York and Los Angeles, including Nice Guy Eddie with guitarist Chris Jackson and bassist Robbie Rist.
Personal Life
Shalansky resides in New York City. He and his wife, Cassandra, married in 2012 and they have one child. Cassandra serves as chief of staff to the president of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.