Biography

Jack Gassmann grew up spread over the world, Hong Kong, England, Kansas and Switzerland. He's grateful for the outlook he's taken from it, drawing inspiration from the seamen, academics, colonialists and adventurers of his European ancestors and the lawmen cattle drivers and soldiers of his American family and feels his family's past is a strong drive for him today. His early years in England in the midst of it's history gave him an appreciation for history and literature, overcoming severe dyslexia at a young age to enjoy the works of Homer, Dante and Dickens, still now his workout jam on his ipod is more likely to be Chaucer than a band. His love of classics and admiration of classical models of education lead him to master in ancient languages, minoring in philosophy at his Gymnasium in Switzerland. Parallel, his athletics interests focus on reconstructing historical European martial arts, teaching at his own club and competing in the international circuit. In Longsword he's the last two years running in the 30 worldwide. His interest in reconstructing medieval mounted combat from surviving period sources lead him to publish an article on medieval cavalry in a academic journal at the age of 18 and organize the first ever gathering for the practice of authentic medieval mounted combat as a competitive martial art in the same year. His personal goal is to become a world class actor and bring the rich beauty and history of Europe's lost martial arts to the screen.