Alumnus Matt Gallant is well known to TV audiences as host of “The Planet’s Funniest Animals” on The Animal Planet and “The List,” an entertainment magazine show. The Emmy Award winner credits his success to his days at URI as a communications studies major.

The Connecticut native found his vocation after getting involved at WRIU, eventually becoming the campus radio station’s sports director. With the experience of covering Rams’ basketball and football games, Gallant landed an internship at the Channel 6 television station in Providence. Working with former sports anchor Walt Perkins helped Gallant prepare for a broadcast career, as did his experience as a page with “The Letterman Show” and NBC in New York City.

“All of the little jobs taught me what I wanted to be and who I wanted to be like. I knew that I would have to work hard and pay my dues by watching and learning.” Gallant moved to California and landed small roles in commercials, soap operas, and with MTV and ESPN. He now works as a producer and has a role on a new YouTube channel called “The Unicorn Network.”

Over the years, he has learned to navigate the ups and downs of the entertainment industry, including rejection and self-doubt. “Take that opportunity, trust yourself, and learn from it.”

— Adapted from an article by Kate Rogerson in “The Good 5 Cent Cigar.”