// The David Gallagher Resource //

Interviews - Stars Generation
On the Record with David Gallagher (2005, StarsGeneration.com)

It's hard to remember that David Gallagher is only 20 years old, because he has been in our families' homes for 10 years now as Simon Camden of WB's longest running family drama, 7th Heaven.

"I'm only 20 years old, so to start something when you are 10, or when you turn 11 and finish it or still be doing it when you are 21 is like unheard of in the industry so I actually feel very privileged."

Gallagher says though that he is nothing like his character. "No, not at all. I don't live in that world. I live in a very normal world. People are surprised how normal I sound and act. There's nothing special about my job other than it's my job. I don't have the woahs that Simon has on his shoulders everyday."

When we first interviewed David in 2002 on the red carpet at the Teen Choice Awards, he was telling us that dating was in the cards for Simon, and not much has changed since, except more adult issues.
"As far as I go in the new season, I'm dealing with my own girl problems, everyone else's girl problems. Simon has a girlfriend now and she is constantly putting pressure on him to get married and her friend is dealing with Martin and Simon is trying to delegate that and it kinda just spiral downwards from there."

In 2003, Gallagher left 7th Heaven, and later returned in 2004.
"It was specifically, and solely, because I got into University of Southern California, and I told them 'I've been telling them for years that I wanted to go to college and I got into the film program at my first choice college.' I wasn't really setup with my future on the show and they decided to say no that I couldn't go to college. At that point, I had the go ahead to essentially walk and make a choice. It was either college or work. I chose college. I've been raised my whole life that education comes first. I made that decision and they didn't think I would and when I stuck to that decision, they were surprised because nobody thought I would. I did the first 7 episodes of that season, went to school and they called back asking if during my Spring Break I could make a return and film the final 2 episodes of the season. I came back, did that, and it was a great success. The next year they said they wanted to work with school if I still wanted to and I said sure. It was never a malicious thing. It was just do I want to continue my work or do I want to continue my school?"

For most people in Gallagher's position, staying on the show would've been their decision.
"It has really mostly the way I was raised. I was always told to go to school, stay in school, and appreciate school. It's funny because I've always hated school. My high school life was awful. My grade school was rough in New York, and in LA. I've always had problems with kids, especially spending most of my time in this adult world, in the workforce. School just became a pain in the ass. I do realize the importance that it has, on me as an actor, and a filmmaker, to obtain the knowledge. It's really just to strive to know all that I can know about my profession. I'm not going to school for a backup plan. I'm not a backup plan person. I'm going to do what I want to do, and if I don't do that, I'm going to die trying. School has always been on my list of things to obtain."

"I'm in 3 film courses. One on Steven Spielberg, another on Blockbusters, and on International Trash Cinema which is pretty much about cult movies, camp movies, and exploitation movies. It's really interesting actually. Those are the type of courses I looked for. The classes that seemed a little bit off centered. You want to learn what is unique and interesting."

How does David manage school, work, and a social life?
"I love the college experience actually! I just got back from the gym. I'm trying to work out for the ladies. My schedule is pretty laid back. I work on 7th Heaven at the beginning of the week, and school at the later part of the week."

"Aside from being an actor, I am also a very musical person. I play guitar for 8 years now. I've always wanted to, and I've suggested this number of times, that they give Simon a garage band. They've implemented that in minor ways. They let Simon play guitar. There were 2 scenes where I had one in my hand. But, nothing more than that."

Although USC is known for their superior film program, you can't help but get a little fanatic at first when a celebrity goes to your school.
"The first semester of the freshman year, I got a lot like "Oh my God, Simon Camden goes here." I was really worried when I came here, because of my past school experience, about making new friends, and all that, but it worked out really well. I have a really great group of friends, and support and study system."

Going back to discussing 7th Heaven, David was quick to point out the accomplishments of the show and continues to talk about his relationship with 7th Heaven. "It is television history. We have the record for the longest running family drama in television history. That's incredible. It was never a personal thing with 7th Heaven. There's not a reason for me to have a dramatic exit if there is not conflict of interest. This is the 10th year. Maybe this is the last one. Maybe we will have one more, but of course they have been saying that for the past 4 years. If it goes one more, I am still in school next year, so there is no reason for me to not keep 7th Heaven as a steady place of work, but if 7th Heaven goes 4 more years, and I am out of college, where I am going to have the time to pursue other projects, and I don't want to be stuck on the show which prevents me from doing work on a major level."
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