Jerry Della Salla

Jerry Della Salla (born May 7, 1969) is an American stage and film actor. Early years Gerald Anthony Della Salla was born in Livingston, New Jersey, and was raised in East Hanover Township, New Jersey. He studied with acting coach Stella Adler, and is a 1992 graduate of NYU's Tisch Drama Program. After graduation, he began performing in the New York theater scene, and in several Off-Broadway productions. During his early career, he shared the stage with actors such as Edward Norton, Peter Dinklage, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. In May of 1993, in a diner in the heart of Times Square NYC, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior and became a born again Christian. From 1994 to 1995, he served as a Bible study leader at a transitionary house in the Bronx that fostered paroled juveniles, and while serving under the Redeemer Presbyterian Church headed by famed Pastor Tim Keller. In 2002, he enlisted in the US Army as a response to the attacks on September 11, and deployed to Iraq as a Military Police Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom 3. While on tour with his unit, the 306th Military Police Battalion, he would take part in securing their base against what was then the largest attack on any US installation. Known as the Battle of Abu Ghraib, it was an offensive that lasted over four hours. For his actions in service, Della Salla was awarded the distinguished Combat Action Badge. He continues to serve as a military advisor and consultant for studio and independent film productions in Hollywood and New York.