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GaTa
RapperActor
United States
Davionte “GaTa” Ganter is an American actor, rapper and longtime hype man who became widely known playing a version of himself in the FXX comedy Dave. Before acting, he spent years working in hip-hop, including as a hype man for Tyga and later Lil Dicky; his performance in Dave drew particular attention for incorporating his real-life experience with bipolar disorder. [1][2]
Career and work
GaTa began working in hip-hop as a teenager and built a career as a hype man, eventually touring with artists including Tyga before later working closely with Lil Dicky. [1][2]
He became widely known as an actor through the FXX series Dave, where he plays a fictionalized version of himself. The role incorporates parts of his real life, including his work in hip-hop and his experience with bipolar disorder. [2]
What has been publicly discussed
- GaTa has said he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011 after a psychiatric hospitalization. [1]
- When Lil Dicky asked GaTa to incorporate his bipolar disorder into Dave, GaTa initially resisted because he feared being judged and felt pressure to appear tough. He later agreed after his family encouraged him to share his experience. [1]
- GaTa has described a manic episode in 2011 in which he felt intensely euphoric and increasingly out of control. He said he broke objects, ran around his home naked and developed grandiose beliefs about himself. The episode frightened his family and eventually led to police involvement and psychiatric hospitalization. [1]
- GaTa has said he initially resisted taking medication after his diagnosis, but later began taking it after recognizing that he was not getting enough rest. He said the medication helped him sleep, although it could leave him feeling lethargic afterward. [3]
- GaTa has also described openly communicating his thoughts and feelings as therapeutic, saying that talking about what is overwhelming him helps him let those feelings out. [4]
- After GaTa’s bipolar storyline aired on Dave, he said people approached him to tell him that seeing an experience like theirs represented on television had affected them deeply. He has described sharing his mental-health story through acting as a way of raising awareness and taking some of the weight off himself. [5][2]
- He has also spoken about stigma surrounding mental illness in the Black community, particularly the pressure some men feel to appear strong rather than seek therapy. [1]
“Sometimes you’ve got to put your pride to the side and just receive that help.”
— GaTa [1]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
The IndependentGaTa interview Diagnosis, mania, hospitalization, stigma and disclosure.
Los Angeles TimesGaTa profile Career, Dave and viewer response.
SHEEN MagazineGaTa interview Medication and sleep.
View all 5 sources
TV InsiderGaTa on mental health in Dave Communication as therapeutic.
Interview MagazineDave Burd and GaTa Response to his bipolar storyline.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about GaTa and their experiences.