Marc Senter

Marc Senter (born July 18, 1980) is an American actor and producer recognized for his work in independent horror and thriller films.^[1] He gained critical acclaim for portraying the psychopathic Ray Pye in the 2006 psychological thriller The Lost, earning him the Best Actor award at Screamfest 2006 and the Festival Trophy for Best Actor.^[2][3] Born in Littleton, Colorado, Senter initially pursued acting in Los Angeles before relocating to New York City, where he continues to be based.^[1][4] His breakthrough role in The Lost established him as a versatile performer in genre cinema, often playing intense, morally complex characters.^[5] Notable subsequent performances include Franki, a troubled musician in the 2010 revenge drama Red White & Blue, for which he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards in 2012, and The Scorpion in the 2012 musical horror anthology The Devil's Carnival.^[2][6] Senter's filmography spans a range of low-budget cult favorites and festival selections, showcasing his affinity for dark, character-driven narratives. Key credits include the aspiring actress's manipulative assistant in the 2014 body horror Starry Eyes, the segment 'Ding Dong' in the 2015 horror anthology Tales of Halloween, and the role of Joe in the 2022 survival thriller Old Man. More recent projects, such as the 2023 films Trim Season and Blackout (also known as Blackout 1977), along with the 2024 romantic thriller Love Bomb and the lead role of Moses Thibodeaux in the 2025 crime drama Cowboy, demonstrate his ongoing commitment to emerging independent productions.^[7][8][9] Affiliated with SAG-AFTRA, Senter has built a career emphasizing raw emotional depth in niche genre storytelling.^[1]

Early life

Birth and family background

Marc Robert Senter was born on July 18, 1980, in Littleton, Colorado, USA.^[1] Senter's paternal ancestry traces to English, German, and some Swiss-German roots, stemming from his father's side.^[10] His maternal ancestry is Italian, derived from his mother's family, including grandparents Carl Anthony LoSasso and Betty Jane.^[10]

Upbringing and early influences

Marc Senter grew up in Littleton, Colorado, a suburb of Denver where he spent his early years.^[10][11]

Acting career

Debut and early independent films

Marc Senter made his feature film debut in a leading role as the sociopathic Ray Pye in the 2006 independent psychological thriller The Lost, directed by Chris Sivertson and based on Jack Ketchum's novel of the same name.^[12] The film, produced by Lucky McKee on a modest budget of approximately $900,000, follows the unraveling of Pye, a charismatic yet deeply disturbed young man in a small New Jersey town, whose past crimes catch up with him years later.^[12] The production emphasized a gritty, character-driven narrative, with Sivertson incorporating stylistic choices like color-coding scenes to reflect individual characters' perspectives.^[13] To prepare for the demanding role, Senter, who was stepping into his first lead after smaller television appearances, spent two months immersing himself in research, drawing inspiration from complex antiheroes such as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver and Michael Corleone in The Godfather.^[13] He employed method acting techniques, focusing on empathizing with Ray's underlying pain and insecurities through the lens of Carl Jung's psychological theories, which helped him portray the character's blend of vanity, rage, and vulnerability without caricature.^[14][13] This preparation was crucial for a low-budget independent project, where limited resources demanded authentic performances to carry the film's introspective tone. Working in mid-2000s independent cinema presented significant challenges for Senter, including the financial constraints typical of films like The Lost, which relied on a tight shooting schedule and minimal crew to stay within budget.^[12] On his first day of filming, Senter experienced intense nervousness that led to physical illness, underscoring the emotional toll of embodying such a volatile character in an environment with little room for retakes or extensive rehearsals.^[13] These hurdles were compounded by the indie scene's instability, where actors often balanced passion for the material with the uncertainty of distribution and pay in an era before widespread streaming platforms. Senter's collaboration with director Chris Sivertson marked the beginning of a creative partnership that shaped his early career; Sivertson, whom Senter described as a visionary akin to "our generation's Scorsese," treated the script as a flexible blueprint, allowing Senter to refine Ray's mannerisms through on-set improvisation while staying true to the source material's dark essence.^[13] This dynamic extended to Senter's next project, where he reunited with Sivertson for a supporting role as Pete, a biology student, in the 2007 thriller I Know Who Killed Me.^[15] In this higher-profile film starring Lindsay Lohan, Senter's brief but pivotal appearance contributed to the story's exploration of identity and trauma, further honing his ability to support ensemble narratives amid the transition from indie constraints to more structured productions.^[16]

Breakthrough in horror and thrillers

Senter's breakthrough in the horror genre came with his role as Franki in the 2010 thriller Red White & Blue, directed by Simon Rumley, where he portrayed a troubled musician entangled in a web of grief, infidelity, and violent revenge following an HIV diagnosis.^[17] The film's exploration of controversial themes, including AIDS stigma, sexual exploitation, and brutal vigilantism, drew acclaim for its unflinching intensity, with critics praising Senter's nuanced performance as a catalyst for the story's descent into horror.^[18] His portrayal earned positive notices for conveying vulnerability and rage, marking a shift from earlier indie work to more genre-defining intensity.^[19] In 2012, Senter expanded his presence in musical horror as The Scorpion, a charismatic yet menacing carnie, in Darren Lynn Bousman's The Devil's Carnival, a stylized anthology blending cabaret and infernal punishment. He reprised the role in the 2015 sequel Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival, contributing to its cult following through vocal performances and physicality that embodied the film's grotesque, operatic style.^[20] Bousman's direction highlighted Senter's ability to merge menace with dark allure, solidifying his fit within the emerging landscape of twisted, performance-driven horror.^[21] Senter played the manipulative assistant in the 2014 body horror satire Starry Eyes, co-directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, supporting the lead Alexandra Essoe as Sarah Walker, an aspiring actress who undergoes a horrifying transformation in pursuit of Hollywood fame, critiquing the industry's predatory underbelly.^[22] The film received strong reviews for its blend of psychological dread and satirical bite, with Essoe's performance lauded for capturing the desperation and moral erosion central to the narrative.^[23] Critics noted the commanding presence in the lead, transforming a familiar Faustian tale into a visceral genre standout.^[24] His contribution to the 2015 horror anthology Tales of Halloween, playing Jack in the segment "Ding Dong" directed by Roxanne Benjamin, further entrenched his genre credentials amid an ensemble of interconnected Halloween nightmares.^[25] Through these collaborations with Bousman and others, Senter built a reputation in cult horror circles for roles that emphasized psychological depth and physical commitment, appealing to fans of innovative, boundary-pushing thrillers.^[26]

Recent roles and producing ventures

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Marc Senter continued to build on his foundation in the horror genre by taking on prominent roles in psychological thrillers and horror films. In 2021, he appeared in The Free Fall, a psychological horror directed by Adam Stilwell, where he portrayed Marc, a character entangled in the protagonist's nightmarish descent into paranoia and grief following a coma. The film, which explores themes of memory loss and supernatural dread, marked Senter's return to intense, character-driven horror narratives after a period of selective projects. Senter's career trajectory shifted notably in 2022 with Old Man, a tense two-hander thriller directed by Lucky McKee, in which he starred as Joe, a lost hiker who stumbles upon a reclusive woodsman played by Stephen Lang. In a dual capacity, Senter also served as a producer on the film, which originated from Joel Veach's play and was adapted during the COVID-19 era to emphasize single-location suspense. He has described the producing process as exhilarating yet challenging, noting his enthusiasm for assembling the team—including collaborators Aaron Koontz, Ashleigh Snead, and Cameron Burns—sometimes strained partnerships due to his drive to advance projects.^[27] The film was acquired by RLJE Films for distribution, highlighting Senter's growing involvement in bringing independent thrillers to wider audiences through strategic partnerships.^[28] Senter's producing experience on Old Man informed his approach to subsequent acting roles, fostering a deeper appreciation for narrative efficiency and collaborative dynamics. In interviews, he emphasized the rewards of working with veterans like Lang, whose improvisational energy during rehearsals elevated their on-screen tension, particularly in scenes delving into themes of regret and internal demons.^[29] This collaboration underscored Senter's evolution toward mainstream thriller elements, blending psychological depth with accessible suspense, as seen in his portrayal of the affable yet secretive James in the 2023 cannabis horror Trim Season, directed by David Jesse. Later that year, he played Ernie in Blackout, a werewolf-themed drama directed by Larry Fessenden, further showcasing his versatility in genre-bending stories of personal torment. In 2024, Senter took a lead role as Jared in the erotic thriller Love Bomb, directed by David Guglielmo, where his character navigates deadly entanglements sparked by a mysterious dating app.^[30] In 2025, Senter starred as Moses Thibodeaux and served as producer in the crime drama Cowboy, directed by Nathan Grubbs, which premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival in October 2025.^[9] Through these projects, Senter has articulated a preference for multifaceted roles that allow him to "wear both hats" in production, reflecting a maturation from pure horror roots to broader thriller landscapes while prioritizing authentic character explorations over spectacle.^[31]

Filmography

Feature films

• The Lost (2006) – Ray Pye^[5]
• Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision (2003) – Stoned Guy 2^[32]
• Kush (2007) – Sass
• I Know Who Killed Me (2007) – Pete the Biology Student
• Wicked Lake (2008) – Caleb^[33]
• Labor Pains (2009) – Photographer^[34]
• Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009) – Marc
• Red White & Blue (2010) – Franki^[35]
• Brawler (2011) – Bobby Fontaine (also producer)
• The Devil's Carnival (2012) – The Scorpion^[6]
• Starry Eyes (2014) – The Assistant^[36]
• Tales of Halloween (2015) – Jack (segment "Ding Dong")^[37]
• Dementia (2015) – Young George Lockhart
• Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival (2015) – The Scorpion
• The Free Fall (2021) – Marc^[38]
• Old Man (2022) – Joe / Rascal (also producer)^[39]
• Blackout (2023) – Ernie^[40]
• Trim Season (2023) – James
• Love Bomb (2024) – Jared^[41]
• Cowboy (2025) – Moses Thibodeaux^[42]
• The Vulture (2025) – Rock Star^[43]

Television and short films

Senter began his television career with guest appearances in the early 2000s. In 2002, he portrayed Jake in a small recurring capacity on the soap opera The Young and the Restless, appearing in multiple episodes including #1.7315.^[44] In 2003, Senter guest-starred as Wayne in an episode of the sitcom Like Family. His 2004 television work included several one-off roles. He played Chip Stearns, a Marine in a unit under investigation, in the NCIS episode "Call of Silence" (season 2, episode 7). In the same year, he appeared as PFC Joseph Smithfield in the JAG episode "Coming Home" (season 9, episode 21), depicting a soldier in a military family drama. Senter also portrayed Eddie in the action-comedy series She Spies episode "Leotards and Lies" (season 2, episode 13).^[45] Later that year, he guest-starred as Jeffrey Stock in The District episode "Something Borrowed, Something Bruised" (season 4, episode 22), involving a murder investigation tied to a wedding. Senter ventured into web series and anthology formats in 2013 with the short episode "Going Down" from BlackBoxTV, where he starred as a man whose routine elevator ride turns nightmarish, directed by Paul Solet.^[46] In 2014, he appeared as The Pizza Guy in the "Pizza Guy" segment of Tom Holland's Twisted Tales.^[47] In short films, Senter appeared as the Rock Star in The Vulture (2025), a drama directed by Lenny Kraznick.^[43]

Awards and nominations

Wins

Marc Senter received early recognition for his lead performance as the sociopathic Ray Pye in the 2006 psychological thriller The Lost, directed by Chris Sivertson. At the sixth annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival in Los Angeles, he won the Festival Trophy for Best Actor, highlighting his portrayal of the film's charismatic yet menacing antagonist.^[48][49] Senter's acclaim extended internationally when The Lost screened at the Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival in Bologna, Italy, where he was awarded the Jury Award for Best Actor in 2009. This victory underscored the film's enduring impact in the horror genre and Senter's ability to embody complex, disturbing characters.^[2]

Nominations

Marc Senter was nominated for Best Actor at the 2009 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for his lead role in The Lost.^[2] Marc Senter earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2012 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for his portrayal of Franki in the horror thriller Red White & Blue, directed by Simon Rumley.^[50] The film itself received five nominations at the same awards, highlighting its impact in the horror genre, though Senter's nod specifically recognized his intense depiction of a volatile musician grappling with personal loss and escalating brutality.^[51] No further acting nominations for Senter in major genre awards or film festivals have been documented post-2012.^[2]

Personal life

Ethnic heritage

Marc Senter was born in Littleton, Colorado, to parents of mixed European ancestry.^[10] His paternal lineage traces to English, German, and some Swiss-German roots. His father descends from this background, with his paternal grandfather, Lee Roy Senter, born in 1921 in Hickory, North Carolina, to Roy Lee Senter and Catherine (or Katherine) Elizabeth Houck. The surname Houck is indicative of German heritage, while Senter has both English and possible German origins. His paternal grandmother, Sarah B. Suther, was the daughter of Lester Lemniosky (or Lemnissey) Suther and Curlee Wagner, surnames that further suggest German and Swiss-German influences, such as Wagner being a common German name.^[10][52] Senter's maternal lineage is Italian. His mother is of Italian descent, primarily through her father, Carl Anthony LoSasso, who was born in Colorado to Michael (or Michele Carl) "Mike" Losasso and Genevieve Louise "Jennie" Pondella (or Pontolillo), both originating from Potenza in the Basilicata region of Italy. His maternal grandmother was Betty Jane, with limited public details on her ancestry.^[10] This heritage has been documented through family obituaries and genealogical records, including those available on FamilySearch, rather than through public interviews where Senter has discussed it.^[10][53]

Relationships

Senter has been in a relationship with singer-songwriter Emilie Autumn since meeting on the set of The Devil's Carnival in 2012.^[4][54]

Residence and professional base

After growing up in Littleton, Colorado, Marc Senter relocated to New York City to establish it as his primary professional base for his acting and producing career.^[55] This move followed an initial shift to Los Angeles, where he first pursued opportunities in the entertainment industry, drawn by the city's vibrant film and theater scene that offered greater access to roles and collaborations.^[56] In New York, Senter has focused on building his career through strategic networking within the independent film community, leveraging the city's proximity to production houses, festivals, and talent agencies to secure projects like Old Man, which he both produced and starred in.^[27] He maintains an active social media presence to connect with fans and promote his work, including on X (formerly Twitter) as @MarcSenter and on Instagram as @marcsenter, where he shares updates on upcoming films and behind-the-scenes insights.^[27] Senter's life in Manhattan allows him to balance the demands of urban professional networking with the creative energy of the city, as he has discussed in interviews reflecting on the challenges and rewards of sustaining a career in a competitive hub like New York.^[56]