Was bitten by the acting bug at age 7 when his father took him to see "Star Wars". He saw Harrison Ford playing Han Solo and said "I want to be that guy". At age 10 he wrote and performed a one act play for his 5th grade class. He continued performing in community theatre and eventually by his senior year was basically in charge of the drama department at his high school. In his late teens he studied at HB Studios in New York City. His first professional job was a small role as a gang member in Joseph B. Vasquez's (Hangin' with the Homeboys) film "The Bronx War". He then relocated to Miami after being promised a starring role in a Spanish language telenovela. The deal fell through but he remained in Miami at the behest of his family which had relocated there 6 months prior. While in Florida he took acting work wherever he could find it. He appeared in several local plays. His performance as Conrad Birdie in a production of "Bye, Bye Birdie" landed him an agent. From there he appeared in several local commercials as well as a national spot for Snapple called "The Isle of Wendy". He answered an ad for improvisers and auditioned for "Laughing Gas" Improv comedy troupe and was one of their fastest rising apprentices. He became a company member almost immediately. He also began finding work in television and film. He was cast as a killer on "Walker, Texas Ranger", an INS agent and Ice-T's right hand man in the TV movie "The Disciples". He received critical attention for his performance in Luis Saumell's award winning Spanish language short film "Por Que'" about four generations of Cubans. He also was briefly a comedy writer for a few shows and interstitials on channel WAMI69. In 1999 he co-founded "Just the Funny" comedy Improv troupe in Miami. It has become South Florida's number one improv comedy troupe and training facility. He often performs with them when he visits Miami. Also in 1999 he returned to NYC where joined "Freestyle Repertory Theatre" in which he performed both long and short form improv. In 2002 he landed the role of "Rodriguez" one of a pair of Spanish speaking ball players in'Richard Greenberg (III)''s "Take Me Out" which premiered in London's prestigious "West End". In 2003 the play opened on Broadway with all but one of it's original cast. Gene reprized his role. The play won 3 Tony awards including best play for Greenberg and best director for Joe Mantello. He continued his film and Television work with appearances on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Sopranos, One Life To Live and a starring role in Clarke M. Smith's scifi thriller "The Ethereal Plane".

Co-wrote a screenplay entitled "The Archangels" currently being optioned.Went to high school with actress Rena Sofer.Mother is famous Cuban soprano singer Georgina Granados.Speaks, Reads, and writes fluently in Spanish.Friend of actors Robert Jimenez, Ron Rogell, Joe Lisi, Mike Starr and David Eigenberg.Auditioned for the role the role of Trent for the film 27 Dresses.Auditioned for the role of Hector Juan Carlos 'Johnny' Tapia for the film Bad Boys 2.Is thanked by Tony-winning playwright Richard Greenberg in the published version of his play "Take Me Out".Lived in Miami, Florida during his 20s.While understudying for the 2005 Broadway revival of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" he went on four times as "Murray" (Brad Garrett,Mike Starr), three times for "Roy" (Peter Frechette) and twice for "Oscar" (Nathan Lane). Thus playing each role he was hired to cover.Founding member of "Just The Funny" South Florida's #1 comedy improv troupe and training center.Is married to "So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer Stacey Tookey.