In Loving Memory of Gerald “Gerry” Owens

Gerry Owens was more than an icon; he was a guiding light in our community for acting, the TV and film industry, the theater arts, and improvisation. His presence on and off the stage, onscreen and off screen and in the classroom and rehearsal studio was a testament to the transformative power of the performing arts. 

 A thriving artist in the midst of a personal renaissance in recent years who was still extremely active in his professional, teaching and performing duties, Gerry’s sudden passing this past weekend of natural causes at his home came as a shock to those currently working and studying with him. Gerry taught or directed generations of South Florida actors and was currently a faculty member of the New York Film Academy on South Beach, a dubbing artist at Centauro Studios in Miami, co-director and performer with Short Round Improv in Miami Lakes, and office manager at All State Engineering in Hialeah Gardens, as well as continuing to coach private students. 

As he had no remaining family other than us, his artistic family, we have set up this GoFundMe to honor him and to help fund his funeral services, proper internment, and a grand celebration of his life, fitting for the indelible mark he left on our hearts.

Your support will ensure that he will receive the dignified and honorable final repose that such a seminal figure in the South Florida acting community deserves and an event where we can gather to remember and cherish the moments we shared with him and celebrate his many accomplishments. Gerry has no living relatives; we all were his family. Any excess funds raised will go toward scholarships and charities to help support other aspiring actors or actors in need.

 As we bid farewell to this remarkable soul, we invite you to join us in celebrating a life that was dedicated to creativity, laughter, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. 

 While he may no longer grace us with his performances, his legacy will forever resonate through the countless lives he touched. 

 Please consider contributing to this memorial fund as a token of your love and appreciation for all that Gerry brought into our lives. Your generosity will help us pay tribute to a man who was not just a theatrical icon but a true inspiration to us all. Note: The donation target is just an estimate at this point as we get word on actual costs. Please give whatever you’re able without feeling bad and know that any amount is fully appreciated. 

Thank you for helping us remember and celebrate the life of Gerry, a beloved artist and friend. Your support is deeply appreciated during this time of mourning and reflection.—text by Linda “Pops” Jarvis and Fawad Siddiqui