Mark-Paul Gosselaar Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

The American actor, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, is famous for his role in Saved by the Bell, a teen series. His most recent films include Bash, Franklin, and NYPD.

Background

Mark-Paul Gosselaar was born on 1st March 1974 in Panorama City, Los Angeles. His mother was a homemaker while his father a plant supervisor. Being the youngest child in a family of four, Gosselaar started modeling at the age of five. His success in modeling opened doors for various acting roles.

Gosselaar‘s parents later separated. The teenager stayed with his mother who then found a job as a manager

Early life

At a young age, Mark-Paul Gosselaar began modeling for Oreo cookies and then Smurf merchandise. After few auditions, he landed a role in series Highway to Heaven. The part proved to be the gateway for Gosselaar‘s acting career.

He attended Hart High School in southern California where he spent most of his early life. The young actor appeared in small roles such as The Wonder Years and Charge, Punky Brewster.

Career

Mark-Paul Gosselaar's real announcement on television came in 1989 when he starred Saved by the Bell, a television series. The show appeared on the screen between 1989 and 1993.

Even though it was cancelled after just a season, the NBC officials believed that making Zack Morris the lead actor in a similar movie would be a success.

The comedy series Saved by the Bell returned in 1994. Gosselaar, however, took the role of Zack Morris. Two years later, he appeared in She Cried No as a college student who rapes his fellow student during a party.

The second series became a huge success. It ran for four seasons between 1993 and 1994. Gosselaar went on to appear in films such as Dead Man on Campus

Later roles

After playing a significant role in Saved by the Bell, Mark-Paul Gosselaar struggled to shake off his persona as Zack Morris. The actor, however, made a comeback in 1998.

Although his return drew a lot of criticism, the comedy series slowly gained acceptance among the public. His second breakthrough came when he steered the popular drama NYPD Blue in 2005.

Gosselaar made his Broadway debut in 2010 in the film The Understud.  One year later he starred in Franklin and Bash, the legal drama.

Personal life

In 1996, Mark-Paul Gosselaar married Ann Russell, a model. They have two kids together. Their first born son was born in 2004, and their daughter was born two years later.

The two however divorced after 14 years of marriage. Two years later Gosselaar tied the knot with Catriona McGinn, an advertising executive. The couple has one child together.

Apart from acting, Gosselaar is an accomplished cyclist. He also has a passion for hockey and car racing.