Mark Slade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Slade
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Slade as Billy Blue Cannon in The High Chaparral (1968)
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Mark Van Blarcom Slade
May 1, 1939 Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Years active | 1961–present |
| Spouse(s) | Melinda Riccilli (m. 1968) |
| Children | 2 |
Mark Van Blarcom Slade, born on May 1, 1939, is an American actor, artist, and author. He is best known for playing Billy Blue Cannon in the NBC Western television series The High Chaparral.
Early Life and Education
Mark Slade was born in Salem, Massachusetts. His father was a businessman and watercolor artist. Mark grew up with his two sisters and a brother. When he was 13, his parents divorced. His stepfather, Esmond R. Crowley Jr., became an important person in his life.
In 1956, Mark went to Worcester Academy. He planned to become an artist. However, he filled in for a sick friend in a play called The Male Animal. After that, he decided to study acting instead. Mark moved to New York City to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He worked at the 21 Club to support himself.
In the early 1960s, Mark Slade also served in the United States Army Reserve.
Mark Slade's Career
Mark Slade has had a long career in acting, art, and writing.
Actor
Mark Slade started acting on Broadway. He appeared in the play There Was a Little Girl. This was also Jane Fonda's first Broadway play.
In 1961, Slade got a role in the film Splendor in the Grass. He then moved to the West Coast. There, he was cast as Seaman Jimmy "Red" Smith in the movie Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961). Even though his character died in the movie, the director, Irwin Allen, brought him back for the TV series. In the TV show, he played a new character, Seaman Malone. He was the only actor to be in both the movie and the TV show.
Slade also appeared in the CBS sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.. He played Eddie in eight episodes. He also had roles in other TV shows like My Three Sons, Stoney Burke, Rawhide, and Perry Mason.
From 1965 to 1966, Slade played Radioman Patrick Hollis in the NBC sitcom The Wackiest Ship in the Army.
In 1966, when he was 27, Mark Slade got one of his most famous roles. He played Billy Blue Cannon in The High Chaparral. This Western series was set in the Arizona Territory. It aired for four seasons. In the same year, he was in an episode of the TV series Bonanza.
Later, he played Taylor Reed in the 1973 film Salty. He then played the same role in the TV series Salty (1974–1975).
Mark Slade continued acting into the early 1990s. He appeared in over 300 stage, film, and television productions. He won several awards for his acting, including the Belgian Viewers Award, the Bambi, the Bravo Golden Otto, and the Western Heritage Award.
Artist
As an artist, Mark Slade has created many illustrations. His political cartoons, caricatures, and comic strips have appeared in newspapers and magazines around the world. He worked with producer Danny Arnold to create the comic strip "Howard and Friends."
Some of his later artworks, made with oils and graphite, are held in private collections.
Writer
Mark Slade is also a writer. He wrote and acted in the "Cliffy" episode of The Rookies TV series. This episode received good reviews.
In 2012, he published his first novel, Going Down Maine. This book explores losing innocence and the unexpected results of youthful mistakes. In 2014, he released Of Pain and Coffee, a collection of sayings and thoughts with his own illustrations. In December 2014, he published Someone's Story, which uses his photography to share emotional moments. His second novel, Hangin' with the Truth, came out in 2016. His newest novel, "Don't Call Me Slye," was released in November 2024. It continues the story of Bob Slye and Sally Mae Boudine.
Slade also worked with Slade Media Group. This company, founded by his wife, Melinda Riccilli Slade, focused on corporate campaigns and marketing. Together, they developed media projects through their company, Slade Square Productions.
Personal Life
Mark Slade married Melinda Riccilli in 1968. They have two sons, Morgan and Mitchel. Mark Slade currently lives in Northern California. He continues to work on his art there.
See also
In Spanish: Mark Slade para niños
