Marcus G. Curry (born June 1, 1961),[5] known professionally as Mark Curry, is an American actor, comedian, and television host. He is best known for his role as Mark Cooper, ex–basketball player turned teacher on the ABCsitcomHangin' with Mr. Cooper which originally aired from 1992 to 1997.[6] Curry also served as one of the various hosts of the syndicated series It's Showtime at the Apollo during the early 1990s.[7] Curry co-starred in all three seasons of See Dad Run, Nick at Nite's first original live-action family comedy series, from 2012 to 2015.
Curry's first major role was on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper which made its debut in September 1992. On the show he played the lead role of Mark Cooper, an NBA player-turned-substitute teacher/gym coach. Hangin' with Mr. Cooper was eventually on air for five seasons with over a hundred episodes.[11]
In 1994 Curry guest starred on the sitcom Living Single.[12] In 1997, he made another guest appearance on the sitcom Martin.[13]
Curry was later featured on two episodes of The Jamie Foxx Show as eccentric driving instructor Sergeant Easy.[14][15]
Curry went on to play the lead role of scientist Norton Ballard in the Disney Channel Original MovieThe Poof Point. The movie reunited Curry with Hangin' with Mr. Cooper co-star Dawnn Lewis, who played his onscreen wife Marigold.[26]
In 2005, Curry was featured on an episode of Less than Perfect[27] and guest starred as Max Cooper on two episodes of Fat Actress.[28][29] Curry made another guest appearance on a 2008 episode of the sitcom House of Payne.[30]
On November 30, 2008, Curry performed a stand-up comedy routine on The Comedy Festival Laffapalooza Special which was hosted by Tracy Morgan.[31]
From 2009 to 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.
In 2014, Curry joined Sommore's Standing Ovation Comedy Tour along with Bill Bellamy, Tommy Davidson, and others. That same year, Bounce TV launched the sitcom One Love, starring Curry and Sheryl Lee Ralph. In 2018, Curry was a special guest on the Katt Williams 11:11 Tour. Since 2018, Curry has also regularly performed stand-up comedy at the Hollywood Improv.
Music
Curry was featured in the music video for Too Short's "I Ain't Trippin'".[35] He also appeared in the music video of Bow Wow's "Take Ya Home", where he played a father trying to get his daughter a doll of the rapper.[36]
He appeared in the 2002 song "Oakland Raiders" by Oaklandrap 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. Most recently he can be seen in the 2015 music video "Pulled Up" by Young Dolph featuring 2 Chainz and Juicy J; a tribute to the movie "Coming to America."
Personal life
On May 17, 2007, an Aerosol spray dispenser that had fallen behind a water heater exploded, and Curry, who was doing laundry at the time, was burned on more than 20% of his body, including his arm, back, and side.[37] He spent many months recuperating at his home. According to an Associated Press interview posted on CNN.com on February 17, 2008,[38] Curry went on The Montel Williams Show to discuss his recovery,[39] and mentioned he 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.[40]
