Monday 7 June 2021

Farewell Marcus D'Amico

5 comments:

Neil Welton said...

Marcus D'Amico was a film, television and stage actor who was born in Frankfurt in Germany on 4th December 1965. Born to an American father and a British mother, Marcus was brought up and then privately educated in the United Kingdom. He first attended the renowned Redroofs Theatre School in the 1970s and later went on to study at The Windsor And Maidenhead College from 1982. He first performed in the West End in a 1977 revival of Oliver. In 1980 he began to appear on television, playing Bill in The Square Leopard and starring in the popular television adaptation of To Serve Them All My Days. He even appeared in the popular cult television series The Professionals. His big break also came in 1980 with the role of Willie in that global smash hit blockbuster movie Superman II. During the 1980s he then starred in BBC's Playhouse and Screen Two series, and also appeared in S.W.A.L.K. and the Scene. He later went on to star as Hand Job in the classic 1987 film Full Metal Jacket, in which he was directed by the renowned film director Stanley Kubrick. He also appeared in the 1989 film The Long Weekend in which he played the character of Greg. During the 1990s he starred in ITV's Boon and Channel Four's Drop The Dead Donkey, whilst also appearing in roles in Trainer, Jeeves And Wooster and, of course, Tales Of The City. Later in the decade he made appearances in In Suspicious Circumstances, As Time Goes By and Murder Most Horrid. In 2002 he appeared in ITV's The Bill and in 2003 he starred as Mister Grenville Dodge in The Seven Wonders Of The Industrial World. He later had a recurring role in that cult 2005 United Kingdom soap opera Family Affairs.

Neil Welton said...

However Marcus had always stated his clear preference for stage acting and among all of his various stage performances was a great production of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (Young Vic Theatre) and The Boys Next Door (The Comedy Theatre) both in London. He was nominated in 1992 for The Laurence Olivier Award For Best Actor for his portrayal of Louis in Angels In America. In 2003 Marcus appeared in The Lisbon Traviata (King's Head Theatre) and in 2004 he joined the cast of Mamma Mia! also in London. Yet he is perhaps best known by many, especially within the United States, for his role as Michael Tolliver in the 1993 television series Tales Of The City. His nickname in the series was Mouse. Despite being a huge success built largely on his acclaimed performances, Marcus did not appear in the 1998 sequel More Tales Of The City as it is believed he did not wish to become a caricature or typecast. When asked in 2003 about his fears of becoming typecast after starring in Tales Of The City (and also the stage play Angels In America) he said: "I did get typecast but it now no longer worries me." On another occasion he referred to his past work on Tales Of The City as "exhausting, enlightening and challenging". In 2010 he played Sam in the film Tears and in the same year made what would be his final film appearance in An Act Of Valour. His final television role would be in 2018 as Charlie Delmonico in Alienist: Angel Of Darkness.

Neil Welton said...

Marcus died tragically and suddenly on 16th December 2020 at his home in rural Oxfordshire. He was survived by his mother, two sisters, a half-brother, and also his son and daughter. Paying tribute his sister Melissa D'Amico said: "Marcus was warm and funny with a big heart. Not only have I lost my beautiful brother but the world has lost an incredibly talented actor and director. He was talented and creative. A good singer, dancer and also a writer. He lived in London and Los Angeles and had many friends in both countries. Words cannot express how much I miss him." Paying tribute Neil Welton said: "Even though he was taken from us too soon and his time with us all too short, his contribution and his achievements will surely be remembered long after he has gone. Like many who help to bring about social change his name will not necessarily be known by many. His roles and film titles perhaps overlooked and forgotten. But he will always be remembered and loved by those to whom he meant a great deal." Neil then added: "The generations to come will benefit, not only from the huge cultural legacy he has left behind, but also the huge cultural change he helped to bring about. They will surely feel, as we do now, a deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness for the more understanding and tolerant society we now have. This then perhaps is his greatest achievement. His greatest legacy. One life which has made so much of a difference to others - for the better. And for that we will always remember him."

Anonymous said...

How sad. Too young. He was so good as Mouse. He was utterly adorable, lovely and you could really relate to him. My condolences to all of his friends and family.

Neil Welton said...

Thanks for that. Marcus was an extremely talented actor. After appearing in Noel Coward's Design For Living in London in 1994, he made his Broadway debut between 1994 and 1995 as the character of Eric Birling in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls. For this latter role he was soon nominated for the 1994 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor. He was also the winner of the 1994 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Actor. In 2003 he also appeared in the BBC's The Line where he played the character Dodge. When not acting he was on the radio or recording audio books like Little Women, The Great Gatsby and The Rhapsody Of Fire series.

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0195145/

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4440694.childrens-summer-theatre-workshops-with-actor-marcus-damico/

https://apatalent.com/