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Mark D. Venturini (January 10, 1961 – February 14, 1996) was an American actor.[citation needed] He was best known for his roles as Suicide in the cult classic films, The Return of the Living Dead and Victor in Friday the 13th: A New Beginning.[1][2]
Mark Venturini | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1961 Elmhurst, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1996 (aged 35) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | West Leyden High School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984–1996 |
Personal life and career
editMark Venturini was born to parents Osvaldo and Carmelina Venturini (née DeAngelis) and raised in Illinois. He had two brothers, Ralph, Patrick and a sister Emily. He attended West Leyden High School where he played football and wrestled. After graduation, he quickly pursued his acting career. He moved to California in his early 20s and began his acting career. His father owned a sandwich store in Illinois called Ozzie's. His children, including Venturini, often worked there to help out.
Venturini appeared as a contestant on Episode #4792D of The Price Is Right (aired 2/8/83), making it up on stage and winning prizes in the Clock Game but going over in the Showcase Showdown spins.
Venturini was perhaps best known for his role in movies like Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) as Vic Faden, and The Return of the Living Dead (1985) as Suicide. Venturini's final role was in the movie Out-of-Sync (1995). He made guest appearances on television series like Fantasy Island, Knight Rider, Charles in Charge, Murder, She Wrote, Falcon Crest, and Space Rangers.
Venturini died from leukemia on Valentine's Day 1996 at age 35. He was buried in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.
Filmography
editMovies
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Friday the 13th: A New Beginning | Victor J. "Vic" Faden | |
| The Return of the Living Dead | "Suicide" | ||
| 1987 | Best Seller | Bodyguard #2 | |
| 1989 | Nam Angels | Bonelli | |
| 1992 | Drive Like Lightning | Al | |
| Mikey | Detective Jack Reynolds | ||
| 1995 | Out-of-Sync | Nut | (final film role) |
Television
edit| 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" |
| Duet | Eddie | 2 episodes | |
| 1987–1988 | Charles in Charge | Herman Holloway | 2 episodes: "Feud for Thought", "May the Best Man Lose" |
| 1990 | Falcon Crest | John "Big John" | 1 episode: "Dark Streets" |
| 1993 | Renegade | 1 episode: "Lyon's Roar" | |
| Space Rangers | Lieutenant | 1 episode: "The Replacements" |
References
edit- ↑ Holden, Stephen (August 17, 1985). "'Return' not the ultimate horror film". Daily Times-Advocate. New York Times News Service. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Douglas, John A. (March 27, 1985). "Maybe a message amid the gruesome". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.