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Gar Sexton is trying something new at age 75 — acting on network television.
Sexton was recently a guest star on an episode of the CBS drama Sheriff Country, his first gig since acquiring an agent last year. The episode, titled Death and Taxes, aired Dec. 12, 2025.
He said he was playing a role he was familiar with from his real life.
“‘Looking for older pot grower’ was the audition name and I was like, ‘Geez, if I can’t get this role, I mean, good God.’”
Sexton has played other criminals on screen. He was Leo the gang leader in the Newfoundland-made film Skeet, which debuted in 2024. Even his first paid role was as the robber in a cashier’s training video.
But crime hasn’t always been make believe for Sexton.
“Let’s put it this way, I have worn a wig in the real world just to get by my picture being spread around.”
Sexton was a pot smuggler as a young adult and he was eventually arrested in a large drug bust in 1974. As a result, he was sentenced to serve 10 years in a federal prison.
At the age of 75, Sexton got his first network television role in the CBS drama Sheriff’s Country. (CBS Studios)
As part of his probation, he leaned into the arts and he acted in theatre productions in prison. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Fine Arts from the University of Victoria and went on to tour the country in youth theatre and puppet productions.
Performance arts was something he always connected with.
As a child, he remembers his mother Sara playing piano in their St. John’s home and in school, he acted in productions put off by the Christian Brothers.
And of course, there’s his younger brother, the late actor, comedian and writer Tommy Sexton, who was one of the founding members of the legendary comedy troupe Codco.
For the past two decades, Sexton has worked behind the scenes in film and television as a driver for various productions in Newfoundland and Toronto.
“We did Republic of Doyle. And we did Frontier with Jason Momoa. I moved to Toronto to do See with Momoa in 2020.”
For two decades, Sexton has worked as a professional driver in the film and television industry, including for the series Frontier and See with Jason Momoa. (Submitted by Nik Sexton)
“I still throw my hat in the ring for driving gigs because it’s longer hours. It’s harder work,” he said. “It pays the bills.”
With an agent, he’s hoping to be in front of the camera more. He’s auditioning for roles and he jokes he has a wide range.
“If you need an old biker or if you need an old retired cop — the operative word is ‘old’ — I can do it. I am it,” he said.
Sexton admits it’s easier to play a pot smuggler on TV than it is in real life, adding he’s grateful to be here to tell the tale.
“I’m happy to be still here. Now I think [I’ll] try to have fun until the show is over.”
LISTEN | Meet 75-year-old emerging actor Gar Sexton:
Weekend AM13:50Meet 75-year-old emerging actor Gar Sexton
Gar Sexton of St. John’s talks about his expanding career as an actor in the film Skeet and the CBS television drama Sheriff Country
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