Television and film stars can seem to be larger than life. Given their apparent talent, confidence, and charisma, fans may believe that these stars are simply destined for success. However, it is important to remember that they are just people. Even the most gifted performers can be discouraged like everyone else. Many stars nearly quit acting because they were discouraged by others. One such individual is the highly talented Mark Bonnar.
Luckily for his fans, Bonnar persevered and has become a highly acclaimed actor. He has appeared in productions like Casualty, Shetland, and today stars in the highly popular Catastrophe. While fans might assume he is just like any other actor, he is actually a highly interesting individual. Here are five of the most interesting facts about Mark Bonnar.
5. He has been unemployed several times in his life
While many actors experience the “starving artist” period as they begin their careers, few have experienced the long droughts of work that Bonnar has endured. He has stated in the past that on two separate occasions, he went an entire year without finding work. Even today, these experiences have left him nervous about when he will find his next job. Given his outstanding work in recent years, he will likely find it very easy to land roles.
4. He was convinced to start acting by his friends
Bonnar is not one of the typical actors who has always dreamed of performing on screen. Instead, it was his friends who pushed him into the industry. After they forced him to sign up for the Leith Theatre, Bonnar developed a passion for acting. He would go on to earn a National Certificate in Drama at Telford College before studying at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
3. He is married to an actress
While actors are famous for their ephemeral relationships, Bonnar and his wife have been happy married for nearly a decade. He married the highly talented Lucy Gaskell in December of 2007. Not only are the two very much in love, but they also have welcomed two children into the world. They have a daughter named Martha and a son named Samuel.
2. He has done work outside of television and film
While Bonnar is famous for his acting work on television shows, he has also used his talents in other industries. Perhaps most notably, he performed in plays aired on BBC Radio from 2006 to 2008. He has also done voice and motion capture for video games. He did this for Battlefield 1 and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
1. He was nearly convinced to stop acting
Although it was Bonnar’s friends who convinced him to act, he did have an interest in drama as a child. He even won a prize at school when he was 12 years old for performing. However, the careers advisor at the school discouraged him from pursuing drama further. He gave up acting as he grew up, working in sales and libraries. He even had a career path in city council. Luckily, he returned to acting and has never looked back.
Final Thoughts
Fans of popular actors often make the mistake of forgetting that stars are human beings. While they can experience the same joy as everyone else, they can also be discouraged. Bonnar is an example of a highly talented performer who nearly gave up acting because he was discouraged as a child. Thankfully, with help from his friends, he decided to give acting a try. This was the best decision he could have made for his family and his fans.
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