Mark Strange

Mark William Strange (born 8 October 1973) is an English actor, film producer and martial arts action performer. Strange has worked on a number of feature films including The Medallion and The Twins Effect along with Jackie Chan and Batman Begins to name but a few. He has also produced and co-produced feature films, including Displaced, Underground, and Bodyguard: A New Beginning released in the US by Lionsgate.^[1]

Martial arts career

Mark Strange's career in martial arts began in his teens and he has over 24 years experience. He trained in kung fu, learning a variety of styles and kung fu systems. His study took him to China, where he trained with the kung fu masters at the Shaolin Temple, Foshan and Hong Kong. In the UK, he trained for many years with Master Derek Frearson. As an all-round martial artist, Mark's talent was quickly recognised.

He gained tournament success in a range of disciplines in his prime. He represented Britain in the 2002 Chin Woo Championships in China; Euro-British Full Contact Champion in 1999; and the MAI National Chinese Forms Champion in 1992. He was, at the time, the youngest person in the UK to run his own full-time martial arts, in the Lancashire town of Leyland. The facility provided martial arts and fitness instruction, and provided a service for over 12 years before finally closing when Mark decided to focus on his career in film.

Film career

Mark Strange began focusing on acting and action performance in the late 1990s, drawing upon his martial arts skills and memorable style. He appeared in a string of TV and film projects, gaining valuable experience in studio sets, live shows, as well as low and big-budget productions. One of his earliest roles was in the cult spoof paranormal comedy series, Roddy Smythe Investigates,^[2] playing Geoff the Soundman, alongside actor and comedian, Peter Slater, and actress Kiki Kendrick. Mark has worked in Hong Kong on two feature films – The Medallion and The Twins Effect – alongside Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen.^[3] He has also worked on Batman Begins.

Mark's debut as a lead actor, film producer, and action performer, arrived with the feature film Displaced.^[4] The film, considered to be an ambitious project, gained worldwide distribution.

British independent film Underground,^[5] produced by Intense Productions, provided Mark with his second starring role. The film achieved an honourable mention award for Stunts at the Accolade Film Festival in California.^[6] Co-starring is Joey Ansah (The Bourne Ultimatum) and Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf, Blade II). Mark Strange, apart from playing the 'Homeless Fighter', also worked on the stunts and fights with Dave Forman (Batman Begins, The Last Samurai). The film is currently on general DVD release (2009).^[7]

Mark played a supporting role in Bodyguard: A New Beginning,^[8] an acclaimed action drama.^[9] Shot on location in Hong Kong and the UK, Mark worked alongside Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Emperor, Mortal Kombat), and Richard Ng (Winners and Sinners, My Lucky Stars). A UK/Hong Kong Co-Production, the film gained a worldwide release in 2009, including a release by Lionsgate in the US.^[10]

Filmography

Producer

• Bodyguard: A New Beginning (2008)
• 12 (Twelve) (2007)
• Displaced (2006)
• "Redcon-1" (2017)

Action choreographer

• The Thompsons (2011)
• World of the Dead: The Zombie Diaries (2011)
• Bodyguard: A New Beginning (2008)
• 12 (Twelve) (2007)
• Displaced (2006)
• "Redcon1" (2017)

References

External links

• Mark Strange at the Internet Movie Database
• Mark Strange Official Website
• Interview At FarEastFilms.com
• Interview with Mark Strange