title: Galen Gering
text: # Galen Gering
  
  Galen Laius Gering (born February 13, 1971) is an American actor most known for his portrayal of characters on daytime soap operas. He currently plays the role of Rafe Hernandez on the long-running NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. He also appeared on the NBC daytime soap opera Passions as Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald.
  
  ## Early life
  
  Galen Laius Gering was born in Los Angeles, California, to Alan Gering and Michele de Oñate, a renowned west coast artist. He is of Russian Jewish descent on his father's side, and French and Spanish/Basque descent on his mother's side (one of his maternal great-grandfathers was a Basque immigrant). He has an older sister, Charissa. Gering was close to his grandmother, who was also an artist.
  
  At the age of 18, Gering moved to New York City to start a modeling career and finished high school remotely. He traveled Europe as a model before attending New York University for a year. Gering finished college at the University of Miami where he studied creative writing and film.
  
  ## Career
  
  In 1999, Gering learned of a role in an upcoming NBC daytime soap called Passions through Irene Marie Models. By the time Gering graduated from UM, he was already taping Passions, on which he had landed the role of Officer Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. Gering was named one of People's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2000, and remained with Passions until its cancellation in 2008.
  
  On October 31, 2008, Gering debuted on another NBC soap, Days of Our Lives, as Rafe Hernandez, an FBI agent who is hired to guard Sami Brady while she is under witness protection. He has also appeared in over 50 national commercials.
  
  On September 25, 2011, Gering and his wife, Jenna, starred on the E! reality series Dirty Soap together with their kids. The show ended on November 13, 2011, after only one season.
  
  ## Filmography
  
  Film and television roles :
  
  | Year | Title | Role | Notes |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | 1999–2008 | Passions | Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald | Main role |
  | 2003 | Miss Match | Adrian | Episode: "Forgive and Forget" |
  | 2006 | Mein Liebchen | Bradley | Short film |
  | 2008–present | Days of Our Lives | Rafe Hernandez | Main role |
  | 2009 | 10 Items or Less | Dale | Episode: "Sesquicentennial" |
  | 2009–12 | Venice: The Series | Owen Brogno | 36 episodes |
  | 2011 | Dirty Soap | Himself | 5 episodes |
  | 2015 | Talking Marriage with Ryan Bailey | Himself | 1 episode |
  | 2017 | Battle of the Network Stars | Himself | 1 episode |
  
  ## Personal life
  
  Gering is married to Jenna Hudlett and they have two sons together.
  
  