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Guy Marks was more of a distinguished entertainer than a traditional career actor, with his limited acting roles showcasing quality over quantity, earning him recognition among top character actors. He gained greater fame as a stand-up comedian and an exceptional impressionist.
Born Mario Scarpa in Philadelphia in 1923, he was the youngest of 11 children of Ermelindo Scarpa, a concert clarinetist with the RCA Recording Orchestra, and his wife, Adelina. Raised on Philadelphia's South Side, he often ran away from home and worked various odd jobs. As a young man, he found his calling in comedy, particularly impersonations, mastering a wide range of characters including animals, birds, and inanimate objects, capturing not only their sounds but their movements and expressions. He toured nightclubs as an opening act for major stars like Eddie Fisher and Sammy Davis Jr., frequently performed in Las Vegas, and appeared on numerous TV variety shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show (1948), The Hollywood Palace (1964), The Milton Berle Show (1966), and The Dean Martin Show (1965). His work eventually led to a memorable role as Pink Cloud, the sarcastic Indian sidekick on the short-lived but hilarious comedy series Rango (1967) alongside Tim Conway, marking his biggest success.
Marks appeared in films like Peeper (1975), uncredited as Man in Alley, where he performed his Humphrey Bogart impression, and Train Ride to Hollywood (1975), portraying Bogie, a Humphrey Bogart look-alike, delivering an impeccable Bogart voice impression. On television, he was a regular cast member on The Joey Bishop Show (1961) as Freddie; The John Forsythe Show (1965) as Ed Robbins; and You Again? (1986) as Harry.
Despite his talents, few producers fully embraced him, possibly due to his preference for the nightclub circuit. He also wrote and performed the novelty song "Loving You Has Made Me Bananas," which became a minor hit in the 1970s. At the time of his death, he had completed a TV pilot with Sid Caesar that was never picked up. His skills are showcased in the current video release of the "Dean Martin Roasts." Married and divorced multiple times, he was survived by two brothers and five sisters. Guy Marks passed away on November 28, 1987, in Brigantine, New Jersey, at the age of 64.
