I Remember...

It is our intention to use this page as a journal of sorts, where we will post letters and/or stories, sent to us by those who were lucky enough to have had personal contact with Mark. For those of us who will never know him, this will have to be enough.

If you were one of the lucky ones and would like to share your memories with us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

We would like to thank everyone who has written something for this page. You cannot know what it means to us, to be able to share your memories.

Thank You!

Steve Aspis
Co-Executive Producer, and Series Creator "Fortune Hunter"
August 13, 2003

Fortune Hunter episodes were very tough to shoot in seven days.  There was a lot of action, not much time, and a budget less than 1.3 million per episode.  Mark was in almost every scene, and did some of his own stunts as well.  He was a tough, athletic guy who never complained about the grueling pace of the show's production.  He was truly a class act, and a professional.

I remember one especially tough night during the filming of "The Aquarius Intercept" which we shot at Epcot.  We had the location from midnight until about 6am, and there was just too much to shoot.  After several hours of shooting -- with Mark wearing a very hot "wet suit" -- we still had to finish a lengthy fight sequence in which Mark had to beat up several bad guys, before jumping into an aquarium tank to perform the equivalent of the heimlich maneuver on a choking manatee.

Unfortunately, Mark had a touch of the flu at the time, and though he insisted he was fine, he briefly passed out at the end of the fight sequence with a frighteningly high temperature.  As he was attended to by paramedics, he came to, groggily insisting that instead of treating him, he would appreciate the paramedics helping him walk to the manatee tank so he could shoot the next scene (no, we didn't let him do it!)

Between the 7pm "family hour" time slot, and the low budget, the show never really had a chance, but Mark gave every ounce of himself to try to make it work.

My partner and I cast Mark for the pilot.  I remember the day we brought him to read for the network as his final audition.  He walked into this big intimidating room full of hard-ass network brass and there wasn't a smile in the room (they all wanted an American for the role).  He nodded at everyone politely... and then, as if intimidated, turned and walked out.  A moment later he came back in with a big smile on his face, and everyone had a good laugh.

Anne Francis
Actress "Fortune Hunter"
June 30, 2003

I really didn't get to know Mr. Frankel in the short bit of work I did on the show, but I do remember him as being very professional and quite the gentleman. He brought me a plate of fruit when we were working late at night and our energy was beginning to get low. I know he must be delighted that you are keeping his memory alive.

Patrick Hall
Actor "Fortune Hunter"
May 8, 2002

Well, today I was quite suprised to find out that Mark Frankel died back in '96. I worked on two episodes of Fortune Hunter-albeit as an extra, which brings me to a point. Mark Frankel was very kind and seemed to have fun with everybody on the set. I can recall him talking about working out- which was something he really wanted to learn more about. He was indeed fastidious about his dress and the appearance, or look of the character. A true professional that I had often wondered about over the years. They say that only the good die young, and this does seem to be the case here. Regards and well wishes to his family, and also to others who met him either in person, or from have enjoyed his work.

Mac Ruth
boom operator "Kindred: the Embraced"
December 25, 1999

All I can say about my rememberences of Mark Frankel during the shootingof Kindred: the Embraced was that he was a gentleman, never flustered or snappy, always polite. I'm sorry I don't personally recall more but I think it's nice that you are remembering him through your fan club, good luck in your endeavor.

Gavin Decker
Actor "Kindred: the Embraced"
November 14, 1999

Mark helped make working on "Kindred" one of the best acting experiences I've ever had. He was friendly and warm to us "newcomers" on the set, which isn't always the case for the star of a series. Professionally, he was very generous, seeing if there wasn't some way I could get more screen time, a better line, whatever. He made me look good. We'd hang out by our trailers making jokes, passing the time between set ups. We talked about his new baby, acting, cars, the usual stuff. At the end of the shooting week for "Romeo and Juliet" I gave him a book from the Masquerade series called "Prince of the City". He gave me a hug and said "I expect we'll be seing more of you." "How's that? I just got ripped limb from limb onscreen?" " Oh, come on, you're a vampire. You'll be back." A month later I ran into Mark at looping (Where we re-record any dialogue that got lost). He said he hadn't read the book yet, but was going to on hiatus when he went home to London. We shook hands for the last time and I never saw him again. I really miss this warm, encouraging, considerate, funny, cool guy. He was one of the Good Guys, and there aren't enough like him.

Peter Blackwell
Actor "Kindred: the Embraced"
July 03, 1999

I only talked with Mark briefly when I was working on the series. The gang I led were motorcyle vampires and we all had Harley's so he was always hanging around looking at the bikes. He was an avid cycle enthusiast and from what I understand he was killed in a cycling accident. He was very straightforward and honest. I never got any signs of ego even though he was the star of the series. He was always pleasent to talk to and had something intelligent to say.

I wish you luck...

Bob Chapin
Stuntman "Kindred: the Embraced"
July 02, 1999

While I do have a story from Kindred, I'm not sure if it has anything to do with Mark...

It was probably one of the simplest, but scariest stunts I ever did. It was the episode where we were standing on train tracks, holding hands, waiting to get flattened, while someone else was supposed to be talking us out of it.

I was supposed to calmly walk out of the way as the train (a real train) screamed past me. I was also warned to be at least a foot away from the side of the train or the suction would pull me back in.

We had timed it that when the train passed a certain mark, we would go. What sucked is that I had to wait for the other two people to move before I could. However, we shot the scene at dark, so we couldn't see the mark. The other two stuntmen froze as the train came right at us.

The tracks were shaking under my feet. If anyone yelled at us, I couldn't hear it. The other two stuntmen dove for cover as I casually stepped to the side - feeling the tug of the suction.

Afterwards, we found out that the train had passed the mark, and there wasn't anything they could do to warn us...

Bob Willingham
Stills Photographer "Leon the Pig Farmer"
June 07, 1999

Having worked with Mark on "Leon the Pig Farmer" my best memory would be his continual sense of humour, even when the pressures of filming were at their height.

Mark would understandably get a bit fed up with being kept waiting around and so would on occasions wait until just before he was required for a shot at which point he would decide to go the loo. On one occasion walking past me with a mischievous smile he said "they've kept me waiting now they can wait for me".

Another time, during filming in London, a lot of "reverse angle" shots ( from behind Mark) were being made. This meant that it was only the back of Marks head being seen it the foreground of the shots - when of course he wanted his face to be seen. He was making comments about how good his "back of head acting" was, when in a break he asked if I had a Polaroid camera. I replied no, but the make up girl had. He then got her to take a picture and said to me "get ready". Soon after, at a particularly heated moment with the director and producer watching the monitor, the camera tracked along shooting film as the scene developed. Suddenly the producer shouted "what's that in the foreground" as an image of Mark suddenly appeared in their monitor. Mark had stuck the Polaroid of himself onto the back of his head. (See photo below)

He was a great guy and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

Lewis Teague
Director "Fortune Hunter"
May 17, 1999

I directed Mark in the TV pilot episode of "Fortune Hunter" in which he played a James Bondish type of rogue spy.

It was a part he was born to play. The character was charming, humorous, debonair, and sexy. Mark desperately wanted the role. He knew it was perfect for him. However at the time Universal Studios was considering him for the lead in a feature, and Mark was torn. Should he take certain job in the TV pilot, or wait for an uncertain feature role?

Fortunately for me he agreed to work on "Fortune Hunter" and we had a great time together. Once he made the decision, he didn't look back. He applied himself to his role with total commitment. It was my only experience working with him, but one I'll never forget.

This last weekend, my wife and I drove to San Diego to attend a cousin's wedding. I wore a beige Armani cotton suit identical to the one Mark wore in "Fortune Hunter."

We were the same size, and he had looked great in it. So I went out and bought one for myself. Consequently this weekend I couldn't help but think often about Mark and how tragic and untimely was his death.

Gina Schifano
Production Office Coordinator "Fortune Hunter"
April 25, 1999

I really can't think of a particular story about him. he was charming and a very hard worker. He was very particular about himself, his wardrobe, his look. He wanted everything about his character to be perfect....he may have been a little like this in his personal life as well. I met his wife and she was lovely. They had a child and he was very, very loving toward his family....always anxious to see them. I forget her name at the moment. He was also very generous as he and his wife gave me a beautiful scarf at the end of the show. I have it tucked away and kept the note of thanks that he wrote. It is my fondest memory of him, as work can well, be work, and production moves very quickly, where days are long and people are very busy with the details of their on job.

I do remember that I hired two personal assistants for him and, although I don't recall any stories from either of the girls (one I'm still in touch with as she lives here in Orlando and still works in the business), however, one of the most neat things that they got to do was go through his lines with him every morning. As I mentioned before, he was a perfectionist in every way and having someone to read the script with was important to him. I'm sure this is something the girls will always remember as he relied a lot on their support, criticism and opinions I'm sure. I thought that would have been fun to do anyway....

Paula Trickey
Co-star,"Fortune Hunter" (The Aquarius Intercept)
March 05, 1999

O.k., About Mark Frankel. He was elegantly handsome, amazingly talented, and one of the most professional actors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He had a demanding presence about him. You could feel his energy and charisma just being near him. It was dominating. He loved his work and took great pride in making a scene work. From top to finish. Yes, he was a great kisser, but very professional. He never "crossed the line" during those kissing scenes. You could see he had great love and devotion to his family. He told me proudly the story of his wife having a baby while he was in the middle of filming the pilot for "Fortune Hunter", and how when he was finely able to go see his new baby boy that upon entering the room where the baby was laying on the hotel bed, the child recognized Mark's voice and looked up at him as if to say " I know your voice but who are you?" The baby started getting very excited and couldnt wait for Mark to pick him up and love him. I always remember that story, and it gives me great joy in knowing what a good father he was and the love he shared. The day I found out about Mark's accident truly tore my heart up. Not only because he was wonderful and well respected but the fact that his wife has to see her reason for living go first and she's left behind without him.

Thank you for the opportunity to tell you about my experience with this fabulous actor. I hope you find this information helpful.

Anne
"A Season of Giants"
January 07, 1999

I worked with Mark on the set of "A Season of Giants", in Nerviano, Italia and I have this to tell you about him.

It was a hot afternoon and everybody was resting after the lunch. He was going to shoot the scena when Michelangelo sculpts the nose of David, and Mark had to do it himself, but he was afraid to hit the stone too hard and "transforming it into Gizeh, the sphynx".

So he received a small block of marble to practise. When the time to shoot arrived he had it perfectly planned and sculpted perfection. Now, the fun thing about it was that he was so nervous when he was practicing that he broke the marble in several pieces. And by the time to shoot the real scena he did it one single hit. He looked like a sculptor...

He was a very happy person, always laughing and joking and playing, specially with children. He loved children and the children loved him back.

Okay I'm sorry that this is so short but I believe you would like to hear it.

Carlton Cuse
Creator and Producer "Fortune Hunter"
December 03, 1998

I enjoyed working with Mark on Fortune Hunter. The one memory I can share of him is somewhat of a tragic one. I recall sitting in his condo in Orlando after shooting one night. We were drinking a bottle of wine and he was talking about his brother who was an airplane enthusiast and apparently built and flew planes. He had died in a plane crash and this was really a profound event for Mark and his parents. To think that they subsequently lost Mark is really a terrible additional tragedy. He was warm, charming and possessed a very sly sense of humor. I'm glad his memory lives on.

Roger Darnell
Production assistant "Fortune Hunter"
September 09, 1998

I can tell you that the show's executive producers were -- from my experience as their assistant -- thrilled to have Mark, and that Mark seemed to be equally as enthusiastic about landing the role of Carlton Dial in "Fortune Hunter".

Beth Darnell (my wife) was an assistant manager at the luxury apartment community where Mark lived during the filming of the thirteen episodes from April to November of 1994. Although I had the chance to see him quite a bit in the production office, one of my favorite stories about Mark comes from Beth.

The shows shot all over the place, maximizing Central Florida locations from EPCOT to Wekiva Springs. It all led to a very busy schedule for Mark, and as it happened, just after the show was picked up, Mark's son was born. Just as he was getting settled into his role as a primetime action star in his new apartment, his wife and new son (?) arrived from England. Beth describes it: "It was in the evening, right before I was leaving to go home, it had to be 6 or 6:30 They needed an extra key. So I knocked, and he answered the door. He was in his robe... they were obviously relaxing for the evening. And he had the baby leaning against his shoulder, he was holding him with one arm. The baby was asleep. I whispered, 'Here's the key!' and he whispered, 'Okay.' He looked happy and relaxed and quiet, with his little baby."

Right before the show aired, I passed him one day in the hallway. I'd been reading the scripts, reading the reviews and watching some dailies that looked incredible. The first promos were hitting the air, and they used my favorite quote from his character from the entire show. When the beautiful vixen in his suite told him the bellboy had let her in, the shot of Mark is simply gorgeous, and his delivery divine: "Hooray for the bellboy..." Anyway, I'd been watching all this happen right before my eyes, and I'd heard many stories like the above from Beth.

So again, this is before the show had aired, and it was all looming right there before us. We walked toward each other down the corridor of the production's Universal Studios offices, and each of us had a smile. "You must be excited," I sort of blurted out, and then had to keep going, "this show's so great, you're about to become a big star," I enthused.

And he just looked right into my eyes and smiled. "Thanks," he said, and he held up a hand as we moved past each other.

He always had a smile for people. I think he was happy at the time we made the show, and he managed to share that with many of the people who had the pleasure of working with him.

Hope that gives you some idea of the type of person he was.