Mark Curry (actor)

Early life and education

Born in Oakland, California, Curry was the youngest of nine. Curry attended St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, and California State University, East Bay in Hayward, California.

Career

Curry's first role was in the film Talkin' Dirty After Dark, alongside Martin Lawrence in 1991. In 1992, Curry's first major role was on the television series Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, where he played the lead role of Mark Cooper, an NBA player-turned-substitute teacher/gym coach. Curry appeared in two episodes of The Jamie Foxx Show as eccentric driving instructor Sergeant Easy. In addition, he had guest starring roles on television series Living Single in 1994 and Martin in 1997, and minor roles in the films Switchback and Armageddon in 1998. In 2000, Curry had a recurring role on The Drew Carey Show as Drew's boss at Winfred-Louder. He appeared in six episodes. In an April Fools' episode of The Drew Carey Show, Drew refers to Curry's character as Mr. Cooper, the joke being that Curry played both roles. He was the host of Comedy Central's Don't Forget Your Toothbrush in 2000 and had minor roles in For Your Love, which starred Hangin' with Mr. Cooper co-star, Holly Robinson Peete). Also in 2000, Curry starred in A Man Is Mostly Water. In 2001 he had a minor role in the Disney Channel Original Movie Motocrossed. Later in the year, Curry played one of the leads in another Disney Channel Original Movie, The Poof Point.

Curry was the host of the PAX-TV show Animal Tails and BET's Coming to the Stage in 2003. In 2004, he appeared on Celebrity Mole Yucatan. He came in second place to Dennis Rodman. In 2005, Curry had guest starring roles in Less Than Perfect and Fat Actress. On November 30, 2008, Curry performed a stand-up comedy routine on The Comedy Festival Laffapalooza Special, hosted by Tracy Morgan. In 2009–2011, Curry hosted Jamie Foxx's FoxxHole Live every Monday in the Conga Room in Los Angeles, which was heard on satellite radio stations Sirius 106/XM 149. In 2012, Curry joined Sommore, Earthquake, Bruce Bruce and Tony Rock on the Royal Comedy Tour. Later in 2012, Curry joined Nick At Nite's first-ever original live-action family comedy series, See Dad Run, as Scott Baio's friend Marcus. In January 2014, the live action comedy series was taping its third season at Paramount Studios. In 2014, Curry joined Sommore's Standing Ovation Comedy Tour along with Bill Bellamy, Tommy Davidson, and others. In Spring of 2014, Bounce TV launched the sitcom One Love, starring Curry and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Music

Curry was featured in music videos for Too Short's "I Ain't Trippin'" and Bow Wow's "Take Ya Home", where he played a father trying to get his daughter a doll of the rapper. He appeared in the 2002 song "Oakland Raiders" by Oakland rap group Luniz. Delivering a humorous monologue as the song faded out, Curry asserted his status as a pimp and stated his fondness for big dank.

Personal life

On April 17, 2006, an aerosol can that had fallen behind a water heater exploded, and Curry, who was doing laundry at the time, was burned on over 20% of his body, including his arm, back and side. He spent many months recuperating at his home. According to an Associated Press interview posted on CNN.com on February 17, 2007, Curry considered suicide after waking from a three-day, medically induced coma, but decided against it with the help of friends and fellow comedians, such as Sinbad and Bill Cosby. Curry went on The Montel Williams Show to discuss this issue.