Mark was born on January 9th, in Santa Rosa, CA, somewhere in the 1960's (he doesn't remember exactly when... he was too young... and it was the 60's).

His first acting gig came at the ripe old age of ... wait for it... one, when he modeled for the local newspaper, thanks to mom who worked there. It was at that moment he knew he was destined for the camera (and the need to start watching his weight).

Mark's dad was a mechanic by trade and fisherman by hobby. Thus began Mark's love affair with tools and cars and his hatred of fish (you try gutting a hundred fish!).

Mark sees his first movie in a theater, "Journey to the Center of the Earth." He's hooked. He decides this is what he wants to do for the rest of his life (that and eat chocolate).

As a kid, Mark learned the power of emotions and to play to the camera. He spends hours pretending to be other people, acting out parts and putting together plays.

Mark's family moved all over Northern California through his early years. They lived from highly populated areas in the Bay Area to Douglas City, population 69. They finally settled in Sebastopol, in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country.

The family business, on Mom's side, was milk. Grandpa had a good sized dairy so Mark spent a healthy chunk of his time working with cows (which explains a lot).

Mark attended Analy High School in Sebastopol where he excelled in music, sports, extracurricular activities and being everyone's  friend. He got his first taste of the theater playing bass for "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown."

In his senior year, Mark won his first award. It wasn't "Most Likely to Succeed" or even "Best Car," but "Biggest Nose!" He finally got payback years later when he was hired for the show Dexter because the director "loved his profile."

The course of Mark's career life took a dramatic turn when he started playing trombone in the pit orchestras of Bay Area theaters. So began his life as a studio musician.

Although he did a brief stint at SRJC, Berkley and USC, the course of Mark's spiritual life  took a dramatic turn when he headed to La Mirada to attend Biola University where his interest in theology led to a deep commitment to God and his pursuit of a life of faith.

Mark graduated from Biola with three degrees (his emphasis was music, psychology and, yes, even chemistry) but what he loved most was his 'stache and iconic 80's perm.

Call it typecasting if you must, but Mark's first professional acting job was playing a deformed clown at Knott's Scary Farm. Hey, we all gotta' start somewhere.

Moving up the ladder at Knott's, eventually Mark played his first lead role in the now infamous "Hanging Show." Amidst a flurry of pyrotechnics, the acting bug bit hard.

Mark made the move from full time musician to full time actor following the curtain call of his first musical, "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris."

After a chance meeting with casting director Gerri Wormser, Mark signs with his first agent, Marian Berzon in Orange County. Mark's mom was proud.

Within a month of signing with Marian, Mark booked two commercials. The first was for USA Schools (where Mark played a mechanic) and the second was for Nissan. Clearly, the apple doesn't fall  far from the tree. Dad was proud.

By the end of the 80's Mark put his knowledge of Hollywood to work and co-wrote "The Working Actor's Guide to LA" with a talented group of actors. It quickly become the #1 best seller at Samuel French Bookstores (for over 15 years).

With the start of a new decade Mark returned to music part time and became a regular keyboard player around the LA club scene. Here he is rocking the Roxbury!

Mark's first role in a major motion picture was "Demolition Man," with Sylvester Stallone. It was also the first time he was cut entirely from a film (and not the last). But all was not lost, Mark met Sandra Bullock who turned him on to Tito's Tacos!

Intent on improving his skills and determined to never be cut again (like that would ever happen), Mark began working with the renown acting teacher, Ivana Chubbuck.

Mark's music career finally ended with the indie wonder band, Nancy Boy. He turned in his keyboards, unitard and glam makeup for a role in his second major feature film, "The Real Thing" with Rod Steiger, Gary Busey and Jeremy Piven.

Wanting to spread his wings and explore new territory Mark opened Idyllic Graphics, an entertainment industry design firm and headshot duplication company. The learning curve was huge but the knowledge of marketing would prove invaluable.

Mark's first film role was in a gritty indie called "Behind Bars." He played a kid who kills his father then goes to prison to face his demons. Dad was no longer proud.

Mark's career finally gained momentum when he won a showcase at the Tracy Roberts Acting Studio and signed with his first LA agent (and he had the scars to prove it).

With so much going on, Mark felt the need to keep himself grounded. So, he got involved in the drama ministry at Rocky Peak Church. Once again, Mom was proud.

Once again, Mark's life took a dramatic turn when he finally met the love of his life, Samantha, a gift from God.

Just before Y2K Mark sold his first script, "Dysfunctional." He wrote it as a play for himself but when it became a theater pick of the week, options came rolling in. You can see how excited he was by the promo shot displayed here.

With the intent of making a respectable man of himself, Mark finally handed in his "Bachelor for Life" card and married his beautiful bride (which she still is!).

Mark and his new wife moved over to Bel Air Presbyterian Church where he got involved with their drama group, BADD. They produced roughly 52 short films and scenes a year. Not only was it for a good cause but it was an invaluable experience.

Capitalizing on the success of Idyllic Graphics and his newfound talents with advertising photography, Mark started shooting actors headshots and launched Idyllic Photography. Within two years he was chosen as "Best in LA" by Backstage Magazine.

Mark finally put all his talents together. He co-wrote and directed his first film called, "True Fiction." It was a huge success at Slamdance and Sundance film festivals and launched yet another path for Mark's life.

 Following the success of his film and subsequent writing gigs, Mark made his return to acting in the film, "The Moment After II" (the sequel to the ever-famous "The Moment After"). Once the acting bug bites it never stops itching.

 After a successful run of Sam Shepard's play, "Angel City," once again Mark put all his cards into acting. Mark signed with Eileen O'Farrell Management and within a week booked the Fox series, "Justice." He was off and running.

 Over time Mark felt the need to pass on the wisdom he was acquiring regarding the Industry. So, he opened Be A Working Actor Studios and started teaching a class called "Type, Image and Talent Evaluation." It was a huge hit.

 Marks first television pilot was "Backyards & Bullets," starring Billy Burke, Abigail Spencer and Lou Diamond Phillips. It was here that he finally learned the meaning of "we're shelving that one." It wouldn't be the last time he heard that phrase.

 Mark's first award as an actor came in the form of a Best Actor In a Leading Role Nomination for his role in the highly acclaimed film, "Stained." Once again, his mom was proud... very proud!

 Mark finally got the opportunity to work with his favorite director, David Fincher, in the feature film, "Gone Girl," Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyer Perry. It is to this day his favorite on-camera experience, ever!

In 2010 Mark returned to his alma mater, Biola University, to teach a class in acting for the camera. Nothing makes you feel like you're completing the circle of life until you return to your old school to inspire the next generation of filmmakers.

Mark finally got the opportunity to act opposite his acting hero, Dustin Hoffman, in the HBO series, "Luck." He's been smiling and chuckling to himself ever since (which is why people look at him funny).

 Mark put a check next to the top item on his bucket list, he became a certified stock car race car driver. In his words, "It's better than parachuting, hot air ballooning and bungee cord diving combined." Sadly his dad never got to see it.

After years as a professional actor, Mark gained some much appreciated recognition for his work. 2019 brought Mark his first opportunity for a major award. His performance in the ABC show "For The People" put him in consideration for an Emmy nomination.

Want more? Click HERE for Mark's Professional Bio.