Quick Facts
Biography
Mark D. Venturini (January 10, 1961 – February 14, 1996) was an American actor who starred in movies and television.
Personal life and career
Mark was born to parents Osvaldo and Carmelina Venturini (née DeAngelis) and raised in Illinois. He had two brothers, Ralph (b. 1959), Patrick (b. 1964) and a sister Emily (b. 1967), who also attended West Leyden High School. He attended West Leyden High School where he played football and wrestling. After graduation, he quickly pursued his acting career. He moved to California at sometime in his early 20s and began his acting career. His father owned a sandwich store in Illinois called Ozzie's. His children, including Mark, often worked there to help out.
He was perhaps best known for his role in movies like Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) as Victor, and The Return of the Living Dead as Suicide (1985). Mark's final movie was in the 1995 movie Out-of-Sync. He made guest appearances on television shows like Fantasy Island, Knight Rider, Charles in Charge, Murder, She Wrote, Falcon Crest, and Space Rangers.
Mark died from leukemia on Valentine's Day 1996 at the age of 35. He was buried in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Friday the 13th: A New Beginning | Victor J. "Vic" Faden | |
| 1985 | The Return of the Living Dead | Suicide | |
| 1987 | Best Seller | Bodyguard #2 | |
| 1989 | Nam Angels | Bonelli | |
| 1992 | Mikey | Det. Jack Reynolds | |
| 1995 | Out-of-Sync | Nut | (final film role) |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Fantasy Island | George | 1 episode: "Sing Melancholy Baby/The Last Dogfight" |
| 1985 | Knight Rider | Keith Lawson | 1 episode: "Knight Song" |
| 1987 | Murder, She Wrote | Leon Bigard | 1 episode: "The Corpse Flew First Class" |
| 1987 | Duet | Eddie | 1 episode: "Apart" |
| 1987–88 | Charles in Charge | Herman Holloway | 2 episodes: "Feud for Thought", "May the Best Man Lose" |
| 1990 | Falcon Crest | Big John | 1 episode: "Dark Streets" |
| 1993 | Renegade | 1 episode: "Lyon's Roar" | |
| 1993 | Space Rangers | Lieutenant | 1 episode: "The Replacements" |