Mark Hewlett
Encyclopedia
Mark Hewlett is a Zimbabwean born radio and television personality most prominent in his adopted home of New Zealand
. In 2003 Hewlett was crowned Fear Factor
grand champion.
As a child, his parents fled Zimbabwe
to settle in Canada
and the USA during the Zimbabwean war. The family then moved back to their native Zimbabwe in 1980 and then to neighbouring South Africa
in 1987, where Hewlett attended secondary school in Durban
. In 1996, after a year at Natal University and a stay in London, Hewlett, for the fifth time, emigrated overseas this time to Los Angeles
for a change of pace. There he was discovered by a photographer and began his modelling career. Following his move Hewlett was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes: he now injects himself four times a day.
During his stay in Los Angeles Hewlett successfully competed in the Fear Factor
Grand Champion edition which he won and took home $100,000 a portion of which he gave to his New Zealand
-based parents. Hot on the heels of his Fear Factor win, Hewlett moved to New Zealand so he could be closer to his parents, he appeared in numerous television shows and was a daily host on radio station ZM
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. In 2003 Hewlett was crowned Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
grand champion.
As a child, his parents fled Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
to settle in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the USA during the Zimbabwean war. The family then moved back to their native Zimbabwe in 1980 and then to neighbouring South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 1987, where Hewlett attended secondary school in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. In 1996, after a year at Natal University and a stay in London, Hewlett, for the fifth time, emigrated overseas this time to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
for a change of pace. There he was discovered by a photographer and began his modelling career. Following his move Hewlett was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes: he now injects himself four times a day.
During his stay in Los Angeles Hewlett successfully competed in the Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
Grand Champion edition which he won and took home $100,000 a portion of which he gave to his New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
-based parents. Hot on the heels of his Fear Factor win, Hewlett moved to New Zealand so he could be closer to his parents, he appeared in numerous television shows and was a daily host on radio station ZM
ZM (New Zealand)
ZM is a New Zealand contemporary hit radio network owned by The Radio Network. It broadcasts 19 markets throughout mainland New Zealand via terrestrial FM, and worldwide via the Internet. The network targets the 15–39 demographic specialises in a chart-music playlist of pop, rock, hip hop and dance...
.