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Mark Lewis (storyteller) facts for kids

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Mark W. Lewis
Born (1954-02-16)February 16, 1954
Died December 7, 2014(2014-12-07) (aged 60)
Eugene, Oregon
Occupation storyteller, short story writer, actor
Nationality American
Subject Fiction

Mark Lewis (February 16, 1954 – December 7, 2014) was an American storyteller, actor, and teacher. He was known for bringing stories to life with his voice and actions.

Mark started his storytelling journey in high school. He won drama contests by telling stories like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." These stories later became popular parts of his professional shows. In 1971, he teamed up with Craig Coulter. They formed Coulter & Lewis and performed songs, poems, and stories. They even appeared at "The Ice House", a famous comedy club. Later, they performed for schools in Los Angeles.

Mark Lewis's Amazing Career

Mark Lewis had a very exciting career. He was part of the Renaissance Pleasure Faires in California. He started as a silent character, then took on speaking roles. This let him share his storytelling talent with many people.

Awards and Famous Appearances

Mark won two Emmy Awards for his TV show called "Word Pictures." He also had his own radio show. You might have heard his voice on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. He even appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Mark also acted in TV shows like Northern Exposure and Leverage. In Leverage, he played Santa Claus in an episode!

Books and Creative Work

Besides performing, Mark was also an illustrator and writer. He wrote four books, including Kaliban's Christmas and The Secret of the Quilt. He also worked as a creative content provider for big companies. These included Microsoft, Disney Imagineering, and Universal Studios. Mark truly was a magician with words.

Teaching and Inspiring Others

Mark Lewis loved to teach and share his skills. He led storytelling workshops to help others learn. He was a faculty member at summer camps like Camp de Benneville Pines Family Camp and Camp Bravo. At these camps, he taught storytelling and stagecraft to teens. He also taught Presentation Skills at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Mark also volunteered for the Oregon chapter of the International Thespian Society.

Mark Lewis passed away on December 7, 2014. He left behind a legacy of inspiring stories and performances.

The Art of Storytelling

Mark believed that everyone is a storyteller. He thought that every person has a unique story to share. He was famous for his "physical storytelling." This meant he used his body and voice to create imaginary worlds. He also played many instruments, like the recorder, and sang.

Mark Lewis on Screen

Mark Lewis appeared in several TV shows and movies. Here are some of his roles:

Television Roles

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Northern Exposure Rusty Keyes
1997 American River Journals Host Won a TELLY Award
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Guest Performer
2011 Grimm Robin's Grandfather Pilot episode
2012 Leverage Santa Claus/Jack Episode: "The Ho Ho Ho Job"

Film Roles

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Nobody George TV Movie
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