Mark Strange
Encyclopedia
Mark William Strange 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.
began in his first decade of life 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 recognized.
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.
and The Twins Effect
- alongside Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen
. 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
. The film, considered to be an ambitious project, gained worldwide distribution.
British independent film Underground, produced by Intense Productions, provided Mark with his second starring role. The film achieved an honorable mention award for Stunts at the Accolade Film Festival in California. 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).
Mark played a supporting role in Bodyguard: A New Beginning, an acclaimed action drama. 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.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
action performer. Strange has worked on a number of feature films including The Medallion
The Medallion
The Medallion is a 2003 action-comedy film co-written and directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Gordon Chan, and starring Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, and Claire Forlani...
and The Twins Effect
The Twins Effect
The Twins Effect, also known as Vampire Effect in the United States, is a 2003 Hong Kong film directed by Dante Lam and Donnie Yen. The film was derived from Cantopop group Twins, starring both members Charlene Choi and Gillian Chung in the leading roles. Co-stars include Edison Chen and Ekin Cheng...
along with Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
and Batman Begins
Batman Begins
Batman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
to name but a few. He has also produced and co-produced feature films, including Displaced
Displaced
Displaced is a 2006 British feature film produced by Skylandian Pictures. Produced by Mark Strange and directed by Martin Holland, the film took six years to make and secured a US distribution deal with Silverline Entertainment at the end of 2005.-Plot:...
, Underground, and Bodyguard: A New Beginning released in the US by Lionsgate.
Martial arts career
Mark Strange's career in martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
began in his first decade of life and he has over 24 years experience. He trained in kung fu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
, learning a variety of styles and kung fu systems. His study took him to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, where he trained with the kung fu masters at the Shaolin Temple, Foshan
Foshan
Foshan is a city in central Guangdong province in southern China. The prefectural area under the city's jurisdiction over an area of about 3,840 km² and a population of 5.4 million of which 1.1 million reside in the city proper ....
, and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. In the UK, he trained for many years with Master
Grandmaster (martial arts)
Grandmaster and Master are titles used to describe or address some senior or experienced martial artists. Such titles may be, to some extent, aligned to the elderly martial arts master stock character in fiction...
Derek Frearson. As an all-round martial artist, Mark's talent was quickly recognized.
He gained tournament success in a range of disciplines in his prime. He represented Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
in the 2002 Chin Woo Championships
Chin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association is a Chinese martial arts association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc....
in China; Euro-British Full Contact Champion
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
in 1999; and the MAI National Chinese Forms Champion
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
in 1992. He was, at the time, the youngest person in the UK to run his own full-time martial arts, in the Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
town of Leyland
Leyland, Lancashire
Leyland is a town in the South Ribble borough of Lancashire, England, approximately six miles south of the city of Preston.Throughout the 20th and 21st century, the community has seen a large growth in industry, population and farming, due to the establishment of Leyland Motors, housing...
. 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, 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 MedallionThe Medallion
The Medallion is a 2003 action-comedy film co-written and directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Gordon Chan, and starring Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, and Claire Forlani...
and The Twins Effect
The Twins Effect
The Twins Effect, also known as Vampire Effect in the United States, is a 2003 Hong Kong film directed by Dante Lam and Donnie Yen. The film was derived from Cantopop group Twins, starring both members Charlene Choi and Gillian Chung in the leading roles. Co-stars include Edison Chen and Ekin Cheng...
- alongside Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
. He has also worked on Batman Begins
Batman Begins
Batman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
.
Mark's debut as a lead actor, film producer, and action performer, arrived with the feature film Displaced
Displaced
Displaced is a 2006 British feature film produced by Skylandian Pictures. Produced by Mark Strange and directed by Martin Holland, the film took six years to make and secured a US distribution deal with Silverline Entertainment at the end of 2005.-Plot:...
. The film, considered to be an ambitious project, gained worldwide distribution.
British independent film Underground, produced by Intense Productions, provided Mark with his second starring role. The film achieved an honorable mention award for Stunts at the Accolade Film Festival in California. Co-starring is Joey Ansah
Joey Ansah
Joey Ansah is a British actor and martial artist.-Early life:Joey Ansah was born in London, England of mixed ethnicity, the second son of celebrated Ghanaian fashion designer Kofi and his Devon-born wife Nicola. He lived in London for the first 10 years of his life before emigrating with his...
(The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Ultimatum (film)
The Bourne Ultimatum is a 2007 American spy film directed by Paul Greengrass and loosely based on the Robert Ludlum novel of the same title. This film is the third in the Bourne film series, being preceded by The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy...
) and Danny John-Jules
Danny John-Jules
Daniel "Danny" John-Jules is a British actor, singer and dancer. John-Jules attended Rutherford Comprehensive School, Penfold Street, Marylebone, from 1972 to 1977. He is best known for portraying Cat in the television programme Red Dwarf.-Dance and song:John-Jules is a baritone...
(Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
, Blade II
Blade II
Blade II is a 2002 superhero vampire film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Blade. It is the sequel of the Blade film series. It was written by David S. Goyer, who also wrote the previous film...
). Mark Strange, apart from playing the `Homeless Fighter', also worked on the stunts and fights with Dave Forman (Batman Begins
Batman Begins
Batman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
, The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai is a 2003 American epic drama film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick, who also co-wrote the screenplay based on a story by John Logan. The film was inspired by a project developed by writer and director Vincent Ward, who had previously filmed the movie in 1990, starring...
). The film is currently on general DVD release (2009).
Mark played a supporting role in Bodyguard: A New Beginning, an acclaimed action drama. Shot on location in Hong Kong and the UK, Mark worked alongside Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
is a Japanese-American actor.In addition to his extensive film work, he has appeared on television in Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Encounter at Farpoint" , Thunder in Paradise , Nash Bridges , Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding , and Heroes . He also provided the voice of Sin Tzu for the video game...
(Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha is a novel by American author Arthur Golden, published in 1997. The novel, told in first person perspective, tells the fictional story of a geisha working in Kyoto, Japan, before and after World War II...
, The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor is a 1987 biopic about the life of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, whose autobiography was the basis for the screenplay written by Mark Peploe and Bernardo Bertolucci. Independently produced by Jeremy Thomas, it was directed by Bertolucci and released in 1987 by Columbia Pictures...
, Mortal Kombat), and Richard Ng
Richard Ng
Richard Ng Yiu-Hon is a Hong Kong actor. He is known for playing comedic roles, particularly in Hong Kong films of the 1980s and 90s.-Film and television career:...
(Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners is a 1983 Hong Kong action comedy film directed, co-written by and starring Sammo Hung. It was the first in the Lucky Stars series of films - a highly successful series in Hong Kong....
, My Lucky Stars
My Lucky Stars
My Lucky Stars is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film, directed by Sammo Hung. It is the second film in the Lucky Stars series...
). A UK/Hong Kong Co-Production, the film gained a worldwide release in 2009, including a release by Lionsgate in the US.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Roddy Smythe Investigates | Soundman Geoff | |
| 2003 | The Medallion The Medallion The Medallion is a 2003 action-comedy film co-written and directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Gordon Chan, and starring Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, and Claire Forlani... |
Henchman | as Michael Strange |
| The Twins Effect The Twins Effect The Twins Effect, also known as Vampire Effect in the United States, is a 2003 Hong Kong film directed by Dante Lam and Donnie Yen. The film was derived from Cantopop group Twins, starring both members Charlene Choi and Gillian Chung in the leading roles. Co-stars include Edison Chen and Ekin Cheng... |
Vampire Smashing | ||
| 2005 | Fist of Justice | Fox | |
| Batman Begins Batman Begins Batman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,... |
League of Shadows Warrior | uncredited | |
| 2006 | Displaced Displaced Displaced is a 2006 British feature film produced by Skylandian Pictures. Produced by Mark Strange and directed by Martin Holland, the film took six years to make and secured a US distribution deal with Silverline Entertainment at the end of 2005.-Plot:... |
Stel/Radius | |
| 2007 | 12 (Twelve) | Mark, The Homeless | |
| 2008 | Bodyguard: A New Beginning | Assassin Brother Alex | |
| 2011 | Best Laid Plans | Vinny |
Producer
- Bodyguard: A New Beginning (2008)
- 12 (Twelve) (2007)
- DisplacedDisplacedDisplaced is a 2006 British feature film produced by Skylandian Pictures. Produced by Mark Strange and directed by Martin Holland, the film took six years to make and secured a US distribution deal with Silverline Entertainment at the end of 2005.-Plot:...
(2006)
Action Choreographer
- The Thompsons (2011)
- World of the Dead: The Zombie Diaries (2011)
- Bodyguard: A New Beginning (2008)
- 12 (Twelve) (2007)
- DisplacedDisplacedDisplaced is a 2006 British feature film produced by Skylandian Pictures. Produced by Mark Strange and directed by Martin Holland, the film took six years to make and secured a US distribution deal with Silverline Entertainment at the end of 2005.-Plot:...
(2006)