Mark's life began in Hong Kong during the 1970s, a decade that would shape his fascination with the art of makeup. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for the craft after watching the 1935 classic film, Bride of Frankenstein, starring the iconic Boris Karloff. This serendipitous encounter would eventually lead him to connect with Karloff's widow, Evelyn, who would become a mentor and encourage him to pursue his dreams in the world of makeup.
As Mark's interest in makeup continued to grow, he began to correspond with renowned makeup designer John Chambers, who had worked on the 1968 film Planet of the Apes. This collaboration lasted from 1976 to 1977 and ultimately led to Chambers introducing Mark to his contacts in the film industry. This pivotal connection would serve as a springboard for Mark's career in the entertainment industry.
After relocating to Los Angeles, Mark began his professional journey in the film industry, initially working as a lab assistant to the acclaimed makeup artist Rick Baker on the 1983 film Videodrome. He then went on to create scar makeup for the Academy Award-winning short film Violet in 1981 and later opened his own studio in 1985.
Mark's studio became a hub for creating special makeup effects for numerous cult films of the 1980s, including Evil Dead II, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, From Beyond, and Phantasm II. His work in the industry continued to flourish, and he eventually became a staff sculptor and makeup creator for Michael Westmore on the popular television series Star Trek: Voyager, a role he held for three years.
In addition to his work in film and television, Mark also pursued his passion for writing. His first screenplay placed as a Semi-Finalist in both the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition and the Chesterfield (Paramount) Writers Competition. He has also been a Quarter-Finalist in the Nicholl competition on multiple occasions and was a Second Rounder in the Austin Film Festival's 2016 Screenplay Competition three times.
Mark's remarkable journey, from his early fascination with makeup to his success in the entertainment industry and his foray into screenwriting, is a testament to his dedication, creativity, and perseverance.
