Guy Marks(1923-1987)

Guy Marks was arguably not a career actor but rather a top-notch entertainer who dabbled in acting. In this case it is the quality, not the quantity, of his work that merits him a place among the great character actors. He was better known as a stand-up comic and world-class impressionist.

He was born Mario Scarpa in Philadelphia in 1923, the youngest of 11 children of concert clarinetist Ermelindo Scarpa, a member of the RCA Recording Orchestra, and his wife, Adelina. He grew up on Philly's South Side and frequently ran away from home, working odd jobs. As a young man he found his niche in comedy, especially impersonations, and he was a master--he could do animals, birds, inanimate objects, just about anything, and not just the sounds but the actions, the walks and the faces. He toured the nightclub circuit opening for big stars like Eddie Fisher and Sammy Davis Jr. He worked in Las Vegas quite often. He guested on many TV variety shows such as Toast of the Town (1948), The Hollywood Palace (1964), The Milton Berle Show (1966) and The Dean Martin Show (1965). This eventually led to a role on a brief but hilarious comedy series with Tim Conway, Rango (1967) as sarcastic Indian sidekick Pink Cloud, which was his greatest success.

Marks appeared in the films: Peeper (1975) uncredited as Man in Alley (doing his Humphrey Bogart) imitation and Train Ride to Hollywood (1975) as Bogie, a Humphrey Bogart look-alike, doing his impeccable Bogart voice impression. On TV he was a regular on The Joey Bishop Show (1961) as Freddie; The John Forsythe Show (1965) as Ed Robbins; and You Again? (1986) as Harry.

Sadly, not many producers picked up on his talents, or maybe it was that he preferred the nightclub circuit. He also composed and performed a "one-hit wonder" novelty song called "Loving You Has Made Me Bananas" that was quite popular in the 1970s. At the time of his death he had completed a TV series pilot with Sid Caesar, which was never picked up. His talents can be seen on the current video release of the "Dean Martin Roasts." He was married and divorced several times and was survived by two brothers and five sisters. He died on November 28, 1987, in Brigantine, New Jersey, aged 64.