Marc Weiner (/ˈwiːnər/; born 1952)[1] is an American comedian, puppeteer, and actor. He is best known for performing with his "head puppets", small puppet bodies in which an actor would stick their head through a hole at the top of the puppet's head. He hosted the Nickelodeon show Weinerville from 1993 to 1997. Weiner is also known for his roles as the Map and Swiper on the Nick Jr. show Dora the Explorer.
Early and personal life
Weiner was born in Queens, New York City and raised in Mahopac, New York, to a Conservative Jewish family.[2][3][4] His father owned a plumbing supplies company in Yorktown Heights, New York. He went to Hebrew school as a child and would often entertain his classmates by doing slapstick which would get him in trouble. Weiner struggled with dyslexia in school, which made him feel isolated. As a child, Weiner was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, affecting his bones, requiring him to use crutches. He had missed many days of school due to the condition. When he was nine years old, his family took a trip to Disneyland and volunteered to assist a magician performing. Weiner attended Monmouth College, where he opened a coffeeshop, dropping out in 1971. He later became a weekend cook's mate on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, where he would entertain children, eventually earning his captain's license. Weiner later moved to Maine, where he studied at the Celebration Mime School. He lived in New Jersey at one point.[5][3]
Weiner was married to Sandra (née Rosenblatt). They have 4 children, one of whom is deceased.[7] After Marc and Sandra’s divorce, Marc began reading “Non Violent Communications” which later he created “The Empathy Labyrinth” which teaches how to communicate and acknowledge your feelings and emotions. Still to this day he gives counselings.
Career
Weiner began his career as a street performer, collaborating with Robin Williams, and an improv comic who performed at Comic Strip Live, Catch A Rising Star, and the Comedy Cellar in the late-1970s.[8] In 1981, he was a writer and occasional actor on Saturday Night Live. Around this time, he made an appearance on the Bizarre show with his puppet show Rockin Rocko and Tony.[9]
Since the cancellation of Weinerville, he has provided the voices of several characters on the Nick Jr. shows Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, and Dora and Friends: Into the City!, including Map, Fiesta Trio and Swiper the Fox, and starred in the show Wordville, also on Nick Jr. In the UK, he starred in "Trebor Mighty Mints" commercials. Weiner also provided the voice of “The Map” in the 2019 film adaptation Dora and the Lost City of Gold.
On an episode of Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, Weiner appeared as Ned's substitute teacher from elementary school. On an episode of Brotherly Love, he appeared (as himself) as a client needing the Romans to customize his truck while putting on a small show with his puppets.
Weiner is the founder of the Empathy Labyrinth organization which runs workshops emphasizing empathy. It is based out of Stamford, Connecticut.[10]
After becoming Orthodox, for stand up comedy sets, Weiner performs exclusively for Jewish organizations, synagogues, private parties and fundraisers. He also does not perform on Shabbat.
