By Frederic Germay

 Mark Christopher Lawrence is one of Hollywood’s most sought after character actors. In addition to displaying a variety of theatrical skills, this diverse actor also excels as a producer, a vocalist, a comedian, and a literary scholar. To the tribute of his memorable charm and hilarious wit, Lawrence continues to meet the demands, and overcome challenges in the world of entertainment. Best known for his role of Mix Master Tone Def, in the cult classic “Fear of a Black Hat,” Lawrence utilized his creative talents as a character actor and besieged audiences in this comical spoof based on “This is Spinal Tap,” about a Gangsta Rap group named N.W.H.

Mark can now be seen as a series regular on the hit television series, “Chuck,” as the hilarious Big Mike.  Mark recently took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with MediaBlvd’s Frederic Germay about his acting career, “Chuck,” his feelings about “Fear of a Black Hat,” and to discuss some of his future projects.

MediaBlvd> So how did you get started in acting? 

Mark> Well, I think I did my first play in high school, and I sort of got bitten by the acting bug.  [Then I did] a Summer Stock play two years later…  And I was well on my way to law school, when I was at USC and I decided to take a voice class, ‘Speaking and Centering.’  And the instructor tells me “Well, you can’t pass the class unless you do two monologues and two songs.”  After I did the monologues and songs, he proceeded to then talk me into auditioning for the Bachelors of Fine Arts acting program at USC.  [At that time] I was a junior in college, and the program was a four-year program.  So they put me in as a sophomore, which added two years to my graduation date, and I literally started working professionally that same year.

MediaBlvd> You’ve done a wide range of roles, ranging from dramatic (The Pursuit of Happyness) to comedic (Chuck).  What do you enjoy doing more – comedy or drama, and why?

Mark> Well, I think the dramas are more challenging for me.  I think comedy comes very easy to me.  So I enjoy the dramatic stuff more, just because it makes me stretch more as an actor.

MediaBlvd> In your 20+ years of acting and performing, you’ve worked on a vast multitude of films and television shows.  What would you say has been your favorite experience on a set?

Mark> I would have to say that would be a small movie called “Fear of a Black Hat.”  And that was probably my [most] favorite thing to work on.  It’s the only thing that I’ve done, that when I look at it - I don’t second guess myself.  I just look at it and I laugh. 

MediaBlvd> That leads to my next question - The satirical rap mockumentary, “Fear of a Black Hat,” has had a huge impact on your career.  “Fear of a Black Hat” has since become a cult classic.  Looking back on the film, what are your feelings about it today?

Mark> Well, two things – one, I don’t think it really had a huge impact on my career.  I think that we all thought that it was going to be bigger than it was at the time, and it sat on the shelf for two years before it got released.  And when it opened, it opened on ten screens nationwide.  So it didn’t really have the impact that I would have liked it to have.  Now, of course, there’s a huge cult following about the film – I get recognized from it every day!  Looking back on it, just the work itself, just the way Rusty Cundieff worked on that particular project.  He would come in with a skeleton scene, and say “Look this is just a scene that moves the story.  We have to say these words to move the story, but do what you do!”  And [Rusty] gave us the opportunity to improv our way through it, and he really gave us a lot of freedom.  As an actor, to have that freedom, it really allows you to create.  So that process was, and is, valuable. 

MediaBlvd> Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?  Writers, directors, Actors?

Mark> Umm…wow.

MediaBlvd> Well, [laughing] you list one of each if you’d like – I know it’s probably a big list…

 Mark> Yeah, it is.  I think, director-wise, I would love to collaborate with, thinking of myself in a major role, I would love to work with Guy Ritchie.  Maybe Tony Scott...  I’ve worked with Tony Scott before, but the role was really small, yet I really liked the way he worked.  [Concerning] Actors, I would love to share some major moments with Travolta.  I’ve worked with some pretty big names in my career, but for people that I would consider it to be fun to work with – Travolta would be right up there at the top of the list.  Writers – I just love the way Rusty Cundieff writes, and we’re actually collaborating on a piece together right now.  But I would love to be in something he writes from beginning to end, and that would be great.  And also Peter Tolan – Peter Tolan is so brilliant, I’d love work with him!

MediaBlvd> Along with Barry Henley and Tarabu Kirkland, you formed the Black Theatre Artist’s Workshop.  What can you tell us about this venture?

Mark> The Black Theatre Artists workshop was literally a Black Theatre artist’s workshop at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.  [At the time] The theatre center was up and thriving…[then the] theatre center went under – Barry, myself and Tarabu continued, and [we] decided to become a company.  We continued to produce plays, one a year generally, spending our own money to do it.  Then we decided that we’d go into film and television, and we brought Rusty Cundieff in, because he was there at the beginning of the process as well.

Today, we, the four of us, are collaborating on a film.  Rusty, Tarabu, me and Barry are all working on this film together.  In fact, we have a meeting tomorrow that will probably button it up, and we’ll be able to move to that next step.

MediaBlvd> In addition to your acting, you’ve proven yourself to be a talented comedian, vocalist, producer, and literary scholar.  Which of these pursuits do you enjoy doing the most, and why?

Mark> You know, I enjoy it all.  I don’t think that there’s something that I enjoy doing more than the other.  I like the immediacy of live theatre, and live comedy.  You can get immediate feedback – [laughs] you can know that you suck right now in theatre and in stand-up.  You don’t have to wait for it to come out and get reviews on it, you can know immediately, so I do like that aspect of it.  But clearly, there’s a lot more money in television and film, but as an artist, you want to be able to just grow.  So theatre and comedy for me would be my favorites.  And as far as literary scholar, I love to read.  I’m reading all the time – that’s just a non-stop thing.

MediaBlvd> “Chuck,” one of my all-time favorite programs, had a difficult time getting renewed this year.  After a two-month long “Save Chuck” campaign, heavily supported by fans and Subway, NBC finally confirmed the addition of a third season.  What are your thoughts/opinions on the matter?

Mark> Oh, I think it’s fabulous that the fans got behind something that they enjoyed.  And equally fabulous that the network listened.  Usually it’s just an off-turn decision by the network based on the bottom line [concerning] why a show stays on or gets taken off.  And in this instance they actually listened to the popular vote as opposed to the practical vote – practical in terms of the finances of the show.  Without that fan push, I’m sure we would not be on this season.  Just last week, the network actually gave us an additional six episodes, so we’re continuing to shoot!

MediaBlvd> What’s your favorite episode of “Chuck?”

Mark> I would have to say “Chuck Vs. The Marlin.” Which I believe was the last episode of season 1?

MediaBlvd> Yes, I believe so.

 Mark> [It was favorite] just because, for me, it was so much fun to do.

MediaBlvd> Now, obviously, you must be sworn to some degree of secrecy about the upcoming season of “Chuck,” but are there any hints/teasers/tantalizing spoilers – anything at all – that you could perhaps disclose about the upcoming season? 

Mark> Well, I can give you this – you saw, at the end of season 2, that Chuck had newfound powers, so this season will definitely explore what his abilities are, and how he’s able to use them or not.  And I think I’m looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Big Mike and Morgan’s Mama turns out.  [laughs]

MediaBlvd> Throughout your career you’ve done several guest roles on various shows, but now you’re a series regular on “Chuck.”  Was that a difficult transition (from guest roles to series regular) or was it a welcome change?

Mark> Well, I’ve actually been on several shows.  I was a series regular on “The George Wendt show,” I was there for the final season of “Men Behaving Badly,” and I was the series regular on several pilots, so its…its just work.  I look at it as I’m working today.  [That’s] because you never what’s going to happen with a show – look at “Chuck,” we were on the bubble, and we’re actually back, and I think this is the first time I’ve been on a show that’s gone more than one year.  So it’s really nice to break that barrier – to get to that third season, and hopefully get to another season and get into syndication.  So the transition is, well, as a matter of fact, I don’t really look at it as a transition, because I’ve always taken it as ‘I’m working today,’ because I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring.  And whenever I go to work, I go to do my best each and every day.  And hopefully there is a tomorrow in whatever project I’m working on.

MediaBlvd> Now I know that several actors just can’t stand/handle watching themselves on screen?  Are you like that at all, or do you not mind watching yourself onscreen?

Mark> I don’t mind watching myself – it’s very rare that I don’t think of other things that I should have done, or things that I would have done differently.  As I’m shooting the project, for example, I never watch the Daily’s and never watch the Takes in between, because I may try to change something.  Yet I think my instincts are very good, so I try to trust my instincts, trust my director, trust my cameraman and what they see, trust the actors that around me – so, as a result, I end up putting out a good product.  I think that one of the things that I do like is when I see a project in the theatre – I do like to see myself up there, because it reminds me of all the hard work that went into it. 

MediaBlvd> Also, are there any other future projects that you’re working on?

Mark> Um, right now I’m working on a film project, I’m working on several comedy projects – I produce a gospel comedy show called “Shout.”  So we’re trying to put together a tour for that, looking for sponsors to get onboard with the tour of “Shout.”  And actually I’m getting ready to start rehearsal for a play in San Diego at the Cygnet Theatre, and the play is “The Piano Lesson” by August Wilson.  So, in December, I’m in rehearsal for that, and we open in the 30th of January and we run through the end of February. 

MediaBlvd> Finally, what advice would you like to give to aspiring actors/performers in the business? 

Mark> Aspiring actors and performers, I would say to you – find something that you love to do that pays the bills, because the first years of your career will be lean.  There’s time to practice and everybody is talented and good-looking, so I would say to find something that pays the bills while you work your way through it. 

MediaBlvd> Alright, thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today, I greatly appreciate it. 

Mark> Well, thanks for having me, I appreciate it!