Shades Of Blue

Season 2 e.tv (*194) 20:30 Action

Assistant District Attorney James Nava in action series Shades Of Blue (20162018) could learn a thing or two from the man who plays him, Gino Anthony Pesi, who went “undercover” for his own special investigation. In 2013, his health declined and he spent more time in hospital than at home. “Doctors told me that it was old age but I was 32. They didn’t test my growth hormones, so I paid to have my own lab work done. I walked into my doctor’s office, told him what I though I had – I was right,” says the 38-year- old.

Gino had acromegaly – a tumour in his pituitary gland that left him feeling tired. It required neurosurgery to remove and Gino has blood panels every six months to monitor changes. Unlike his character, he is glued to his phone and checks his social media accounts daily. Gino also runs his own Facebook page, which isn’t that common with actors. He wanted to play professional baseball growing up but realised that he didn’t make the grade in high school when he was cut from the third team. “It wasn’t that surprising,” says Gino. “You have it or you don’t. The same goes for acting. I’m not complaining about the hand I got dealt.” The actor was almost intimidated off the set of his first acting role – he had to say lines for over 100 extras on action series CSI: Miami (2002-2012) and thought everyone was judging him. As for most embarrassing role, it’s an easy choice: Bodybuilder Guy in low-budget 2006 TV movie More, Patience. Gino admits he did it just for the wage: “Do I look like a gym guy who’s in there doing weights at 3am? It put food on my plate, so I did it.”