- Born
- Birth nameMark Anthony Durbin
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- Born Mark Anthony Durbin in Washington, D.C. Married to professional ballet dancer Nicole Harlan whom he met in 1995 while she was doing the role of Helena in the ballet, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles. He has three children with her. He grew up working tobacco farms in Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland where he studied business, agriculture and theatre. He also was a walk-on for the football team, having never played in high school. Interested in the theater, Mark left Maryland and headed south to see Stacy Keach in a production of Barnum in New Orleans. Mark ended up living there for a while on St. Anne's just off Bourbon St. in the Quarter. He then headed to Florida to enter Burt Reynolds theater in Jupiter. After that he headed to the Florida Keys because he heard Tennessee Williams had a school there. He ended up working on various scuba boats, shrimp trawlers and giving tours in Key West. He volunteered help looking for the wreck of the Atocha with Mel Fisher. Years later, it was actually discovered loaded with treasure. While walking to the docks one day he was spotted by Frank Romano, the owner of Key West Aloe; a pioneer in the Aloe Vera industry. He was asked to do a modeling campaign for them. He did their line of advertising internationally, then continued to model in New York and Italy doing runway and appearing in various magazines such as GQ and Italian Uomo. He lived in New York and later Los Angeles where he studied with the late Peggy Feury and Stella Adler. He studied voice, and was good friends with, radio show actress, Lurene Tuttle before she passed away. While pursuing acting, he also worked as a bodyguard for Elton John whom he has said is one of the nicest, and most generous people. He also trained briefly in ballet and once performed a small part in Petrouchka with the Joffrey Ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. He has worked internationally acting in TV commercials for more than 25 years. He has appeared in commercials alongside actresses such as Meg Ryan and Kelly LeBrock and models Christy Turlington, Iman, Rebecca Broussard and Mitzi Martin. He has also worked with directors such as Clint Eastwood, Edward Burns, Marek Kanievska, Leslie Dektor and Paul Giraud.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Angela Green
- SpouseNicole Harlan(August 16, 2003 - present) (3 children)
- Gender / Gender identityMale
- Is a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy and a supporter of the Oviatt Building and the 'Last Remaining Seats' supporting the remaining historic Downtown Los Angeles Art Deco Movie Palaces.
- He is an avid collector of rare Art Deco furniture and collectibles. His collection ranges from French Deco including Max LeVerrier and Louis Majorelle to a mint model 1428 Rockola jukebox and a rare 1940s Jennings floor slot machine.
- Member of the Art Deco Societies of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Pacheco Ranch outside San Francisco is one of his favorite vineyards.
- Frequently stays on Catalina Island.
- My wife and my children are the most beautiful things that have happened to me. They have opened my eyes and my heart.
- I used to hear this thing about men wanting to have a son to carry on the family name. It never meant much to me. However, having my son first, I now understand. There is a special bond between a father and son. When I watch him try to dress like me and copy everything I do, it is then that I realize the importance of being a responsible father and being vigilant about how, and what, I teach him. Children start out pure. Pure angels. The challenge is to keep on that way.
- I love doing theater. There is an incredible electricity with a live audience. I hope to have a career that allows me to be a respected stage actor. Ideally I would like to do movies and then theater in between. I would love to continue to be able to do theater until the end of my life.
- My wife, Nicole, is my hero. She is the most incredible mother a child could have. Our children are very lucky.
- I've always enjoyed being an actor and the pursuit of it. It is not without it's own peculiar challenges and difficulties, but it is very rewarding. When I was younger, great literature spoke to me and excited my creativity. I could hardly sleep at night thinking about the things I wanted to accomplish in life. And when I saw great actors bring it to life or had the opportunity to speak with them and learn, I felt thrilled.
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