Ken Marino
About
Biography
Biography
Despite his accomplished dramatic credits and serious training at the Lee Strasberg Institute (even scoring the Strasberg Studio Award), handsome, dark-haired actor Ken Marino was best known to many in the MTV generation as a member of the network's zany sketch comedy series "The State" (1994-95). The Long Island-born performer studied drama at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and at the Circle Rep Summer School of the Arts in addition to his other training. Marino got his feet wet with school productions of "Pippin" and "Brighton Beach Memoirs" while post-graduation, he could be seen in the touring company of "A Few Good Men" and the Off-Broadway adaptation of "Valley of the Dolls" (1996).
In 1988, while still doing undergraduate work at NYU, Marino formed the comedy troupe that would become known as 'The State'. New York City performances won the group fans both on and off campus, and in 1992, 'The State' was called upon by MTV to create and appear in sketches for the network's viewer interactive series "You Wrote It, You Watch It" hosted by fellow up and comer Jon Stewart. Beginning in 1994, "The State" was a weekly half-hour of comedy sketches by the troupe. Writing and starring in the sketches, Marino brought his own brand of humor to the series. Both conceptual and slapstick physical in nature, his skewed view was best depicted in sketches such as "Hormones," which featured anthropomorphized hormones reacting to the various events in a couple's evening rendezvous. Though it was a hit with viewers, and spawned a dedicated cult following, the network and the group disagreed with the direction of the series, and in 1995, "The State" ceased airing new episodes. Later that year "The State's 43rd Annual Halloween Special," their first outing for CBS debuted. Poorly rated and lacking the comedic coherence of their earlier work, the special would be the group's only work for CBS.
Arguably the most versatile and photogenic member of the cast, Marino bounced back quickly from the fall of 'The State', racking up theater credits as well as TV guest spots. A 1996 appearance on the NYC-lensed sitcom "Spin City" (ABC) marked an early acting credit. The actor followed up with a regular role on the second season of the doomed sitcom "Men Behaving Badly" (NBC, 1997-98), paired with Rob Schneider as a couple of goofy single guys. Here he played a man from a wealthy background who strives to make it on his own with no assistance. He would revisit this theme on the NBC midseason entry "First Years" (2001) with the role of Miles Lawton, a charming attorney fresh from law school who separates himself from his family's money and influence to get ahead on the strength of his own smarts. Between regular series gigs, Marino stayed busy with guest shots on the series "Nash Bridges" (CBS, 1999), "The Practice" (ABC, 1999) and "Angel" (The WB, 2000) as well as a recurring role as Mafia man Sammy Coke Bottles on the 2000 CBS crime drama "Falcone." On the big screen, Marino had a bit part in the thoughtful sci-fi feature "Gattaca" (1997) and did extensive work independent film, including a starring role in the romance "Love Happens" (screened at 1999's IFFM) and a supporting part as a neglectful counselor in the summer camp-set "Wet Hot American Summer" (shown at Sundance 2001), a veritable reunion of 'The State', directed by co-founder David Wain and starring members Michael Showalter, Jo Lo Truglio and Michael Ian Black.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Special Thanks (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Director (Special)
Cast (Special)
Writer (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Life Events
1988
Formed the comedy troupe 'The New Group' (later renamed 'The State')
1992
Wrote, produced and starred in sketches for the MTV series "You Wrote It, You Watch It" hosted by Jon Stewart
1993
Member of a comedy troupe on the MTV sketch comedy series' "The State"
1995
Featured in "The State's 43rd Annual Halloween Special" (CBS)
1996
Guest starred on an episode of "Spin City" (ABC)
1996
Featured in the acclaimed off-Broadway adaptation of "Valley of the Dolls" at Circle in the Square Downtown
1997
Joined the cast of "Men Behaving Badly" (NBC) during second season; replaced former lead Ron Eldard
1998
Appeared on the short-lived NBC sitcom "Conrad Bloom"
1999
Co-starred in the independent feature "Love Happens"
2000
Cast in a recurring role on the mob themed CBS series "Falcone" as Sammy Coke Bottles
2001
Played an adventure counselor in the summer camp-set independent comedy "Wet Hot American Summer"
2001
Briefly appeared as the boyfriend of one of the trio of sisters in "Tortilla Soup"
2001
Played a professor who becomes romantically involved with Joey (Katie Holmes) on The WB series "Dawson's Creek"
2002
Co-starred on the NBC sitcom "Leap of Faith"
2005
Had a recurring role on "Veronica Mars" (UPN/CW) as private detective Vinnie Van Lowe
2007
With David Wain, co-wrote "The Ten," an anthology comedy comprised of ten vignettes inspired by the ten commandments
2007
Wrote the screenplay for "Diggers," a coming-of-age film set in mid-1970s Long Island
2008
Cast in a supporting role as a gay demon on The CW series "Reaper"
2008
Co-wrote with David Wain and Paul Rudd the comedy feature "Role Models"; Rudd also starred
2012
Once again collaborated with Wain in screenplay for "Wanderlust," starring Rudd and Jennifer Aniston; also appeared in film and produced
