David Rees Snell Net Worth

What is David Rees Snell's Net Worth?

David Rees Snell is an American actor who has a net worth of $1 million. David Rees Snell is best known for playing Detective Ronnie Gardocki on all seven seasons of the FX crime drama "The Shield." The character began as a nearly silent fourth member of the corrupt Strike Team but gradually developed into one of the show's most important figures.

Snell was initially hired for the pilot without any assurance that Ronnie would become a substantial character. As the series continued, the writers expanded the role, giving Ronnie more dialogue, responsibility, and insight into the illegal activities of Vic Mackey and the Strike Team. By the final seasons, Snell was credited as a main cast member and was central to the program's conclusion.

After "The Shield," Snell continued specializing in law-enforcement, military, government, and corporate characters. His credits include "The Unit," "Criminal Minds," "NCIS," "Sons of Anarchy," "Last Resort," "Silicon Valley," and "S.W.A.T."

Early Life and Theater

David Rees Snell was born on August 20, 1966, in Wichita, Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in theater.

Snell spent much of his early career performing onstage. His theatrical background gave him experience in ensemble work before he began receiving film and television roles.

He made an early screen appearance in the 1993 television movie "I Can Make You Love Me," which dramatized the crimes of stalker Richard Farley. Additional television movies and guest roles followed.

"The Shield"

Snell joined "The Shield" in 2002 as Detective Ronnie Gardocki, one of four detectives assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department's corrupt Strike Team. The unit was led by Vic Mackey, played by Michael Chiklis, and also included Shane Vendrell, played by Walton Goggins, and Curtis "Lem" Lemansky, played by Kenny Johnson.

Ronnie initially remained in the background while the series focused more heavily on Vic, Shane, and Lem. Snell was reportedly told that the production did not have immediate plans to develop his character, and Ronnie had relatively little dialogue during the show's earliest episodes.

That changed as the writers gradually established Ronnie as the Strike Team's dependable technical specialist and its most cautious member. While Vic and Shane frequently acted impulsively, Ronnie was methodical, observant, and less driven by ego. He nevertheless remained deeply involved in the team's corruption and helped conceal many of its crimes.

Ronnie survived being burned during an attack on the Strike Team, along with internal investigations, gang conflicts, betrayals, and the eventual collapse of the relationships holding the unit together. As other members departed or died, he became Vic's closest remaining partner and one of the drama's most important characters.

Snell appeared in 84 episodes over all seven seasons. Ronnie became especially important during the final season, when he remained loyal to Vic without realizing that Vic's effort to secure immunity would protect only himself. The series ended with Ronnie being arrested after discovering that Vic had confessed to the Strike Team's crimes and abandoned him to face prosecution.

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Later Television Career

After "The Shield," Snell played Leon Drake in several episodes of the military drama "The Unit." He appeared on "Numb3rs," "Lie to Me," "Criminal Minds," "Leverage," and "NCIS."

Snell played federal agent Grad Nicholas on "Sons of Anarchy" and Commander Willis on the submarine drama "Last Resort." He later had a recurring role as Ross Loma on the HBO comedy "Silicon Valley."

Beginning in 2018, he appeared repeatedly on "S.W.A.T." as Detective John Burrows. That role reunited him with a police-drama format while presenting him as a more conventional law-enforcement officer than Ronnie Gardocki.

His film work has included "The Beacon," "Exit Speed," "Desolation Canyon," and independent productions.

Personal Life

Snell married actress and writer Melanie Myers in 2002. He has otherwise maintained a private life and has generally remained outside the celebrity publicity circuit between acting projects.

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