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Mark Pinter
Mark Pinter
from Wikipedia

Mark Pinter (born March 7, 1950) is an American actor best known for his numerous roles in daytime soap operas.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Pinter was born in Decorah, Iowa. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre arts from Iowa State University and a Master of Fine Arts from the Hilberry Theatre at Wayne State University.[1]

Career

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Acting

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Often cast as a villain, Pinter has been a contract player on such shows as Love of Life, Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Loving, and All My Children. His most famous role was that of crooked politician Grant Harrison on Another World (1991–99), for which he won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Villain in 1996.[2]

In addition to his work in daytime television, Pinter has guest-starred on numerous primetime television series such as Law & Order and performed extensively on regional theatre stages across the country. He has also appeared in Norman Jewison's Other People's Money and Cameron Crowe's Vanilla Sky. He has starred in the independent films Season of Youth and The Eden Myth.

A classically trained stage actor, Pinter has enjoyed numerous roles on renowned stages across the country including The Arena Stage in Washington, DC and The Old Globe Theater in San Diego, CA, and The York Theater Company off Broadway. Most recently, he played Avery Brundage in the world premiere production of Kemp Power's play The Nineteenth at The Old Globe Theater.

Directing

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Pinter made his directorial debut in 2003 when he directed the world premiere of Jonathan Bell's Portraits at the Union Square Theatre in New York. The play starred Roberta Maxwell and Dana Reeve.

Personal life

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Pinter has six biological children and three step-children. His daughter, Siri, is married to television and radio host Carson Daly.[3] Pinter was married to fellow soap opera star Colleen Zenk from 1986 to 2010. In 2017, he married Jenie Dahlmann who serves as co-CEO and Chief Marketing and Communications officer for Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, WI. They reside in Madison.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 Other People's Money Bart
1999 The Eden Myth Edward Speck
2001 Vanilla Sky Carlton Kaller

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1978 Go West, Young Girl Lieutenant Television film
Barnaby Jones Mark Episode: "A Dangerous Affair"
Crash Stretcher Bearer Television film
1980 Love of Life Dr. Tom Crawford 2 episodes
The Love Boat Hud Hanson Episode: "Target Gopher/The Major's Wife/

Strange Honeymoon/The Oilman Cometh"

1980–1981 Secrets of Midland Heights Calvin Richardson 11 episodes
1981 Hart to Hart Chris Barber Episode: "Blue Chip Murder"
Charlie's Angels Ted Markham Episode: "Angel on a Roll"
Behind the Screen Karl Madison Television film
1982–1983 Guiding Light Mark Evans 7 episodes
1984–1987 As the World Turns Brian McColl 39 episodes
1988–1989 Loving Dan Hollister 9 episodes
1990 Hunter Ken Delwin Episode: "Sudden Withdrawal"
1991–1999 Another World Grant Harrison / Spencer Harrison 177 episodes
1999 Law & Order Raymond Quinn Episode: "Sundown"
2001 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Jordan Owens Episode: "Secrets"
2001–2002 All My Children Roger Smythe 8 episodes
2004 Law & Order: Criminal Intent James Townsend Episode: "Ill-Bred"
2008 Cold Case Hayden Chapin Episode: "Ghost of My Child"
2008–2010 General Hospital Agent Thomas Rayner 41 episodes
2010 FutureStates Senator Episode: "Play"
NCIS: Los Angeles Sebastian Renner Episode: "Absolution"
2013 The Young and the Restless Marcus Wheeler 22 episodes
2014 Mad Men Irwin Podolsky Episode: "Time Zones"
2016 Grace and Frankie Jerry Episode: "The Test"
2018 Reverie Male Boardmember Episode: "Point of Origin"
2020 Narcos: Mexico John Bell 2 episodes

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Pinter (born March 7, 1950) is an American best known for his long-running roles in soap operas, including the villainous Grant Harrison on Another World from 1991 to 1999. Born in , Pinter pursued formal training in the , earning a B.A. in theatre arts from and an M.F.A. from in . His professional career launched in 1979 with the role of Dr. Tom Crawford on the soap opera Love of Life, marking his entry into . Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Pinter became a staple of the genre, portraying characters such as Mark Evans on (1981), Brian on , Dan on Loving, and Roger Smythe on . His tenure as Grant Harrison on Another World stands out as his most iconic performance, earning him a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Villain in 1996. In the 2000s and 2010s, he continued with recurring roles like Agent Rayner on (2008) and the role of Congressman Marcus Wheeler on (2013). Beyond soaps, Pinter has maintained a diverse career in primetime television, with guest appearances on shows including , Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, , NCIS: Los Angeles, , Reverie, , and . In film, he has appeared in notable projects such as (2001), (1991), The Driver Is Red (narrated, Sundance award-winning), Mooseltoe (2021) as Santa Claus, and Hashtag Proposal (2023) as Edwin Deponce. Pinter has also been a prominent figure in regional theatre, with extensive credits at venues like the in , where he has performed in productions including Native Gardens, Red Velvet, , , , , and . Other stage highlights include Rothschild & Sons at the York Theatre (2015), Book of Days at , and at Repertory Theatre. Pinter has also directed, including the 2003 off-Broadway premiere of Portraits by Jonathan Bell.

Early life

Birth and upbringing

Mark Pinter was born on March 7, 1950, in , U.S. Pinter was raised in Decorah, a small town in northeast .

Education

Mark Pinter attended from 1969 to 1972, where he earned a degree in Theatre Arts. Following his undergraduate studies, Pinter pursued advanced training at in , , from 1973 to 1975, earning a degree from the Hilberry Graduate program. Pinter is a founding member of The Old Creamery Theater Company in Garrison, , established in 1971 to foster regional theater in his home state.

Career

Soap opera acting

Mark Pinter made his daytime television debut in 1979, portraying Dr. Tom Crawford on the CBS soap opera Love of Life, where he appeared until the show's conclusion in 1980. He followed this with the role of Mark Evans, an employee at Spaulding Enterprises involved in corporate intrigue, on Guiding Light from 1981 to 1983. Pinter then transitioned to As the World Turns in 1984, taking on the role of newspaper publisher Brian McColl, a character who engaged in romantic entanglements typical of soap opera dynamics, including a courtship and engagement with fashion designer Barbara Ryan amid family conflicts. His tenure on the show lasted until 1990, spanning over 60 episodes and contributing to key character-driven narratives centered on personal and professional rivalries in the fictional town of Oakdale. In 1988, while still appearing on As the World Turns, Pinter briefly portrayed Dan Hollister on ABC's Loving, a role that highlighted his versatility in playing supportive family figures within interconnected ensemble storylines. Pinter's most prominent and long-running role came in 1991 on NBC's Another World, where he played ambitious politician Grant Harrison, a complex known for manipulative schemes and intense romantic pursuits. As Grant, Pinter depicted a character entangled in high-stakes love triangles, including a volatile to fraught with obsession, accidental shootings, and custody battles over their son Kirkland, elements that exemplified the genre's emphasis on dramatic emotional turmoil and redemption arcs. His portrayal earned critical acclaim, culminating in a Award for Outstanding Villain in 1996. Pinter continued in the role until the series ended in 1999, solidifying Grant as one of daytime television's memorable antiheroes. Following Another World, Pinter made recurring appearances on other soaps, including Roger Smythe, a scheming British businessman, on ABC's in 2001. He returned to in 2003–2004 as Brad Green, a mysterious figure tied to corporate and familial secrets. In 2008, Pinter joined ABC's as FBI agent Thomas Rayner, investigating and engaging in tense confrontations with key characters until 2010. His soap opera career concluded with a recurring stint on CBS's in 2013, portraying influential congressman Marcus Wheeler, whose political maneuvers influenced major plotlines in Genoa City. Throughout his decades in daytime serials, Pinter's work emphasized layered villainy and romance, contributing to the enduring appeal of character evolution in the format.

Primetime, film, and theater roles

Mark Pinter expanded his acting career beyond daytime television into primetime series, leveraging his established presence in soaps to secure guest roles that showcased his versatility in dramatic and procedural formats. His soap opera experience provided a foundation for these opportunities, allowing him to portray authoritative figures and complex antagonists in shorter arcs. Notably, he appeared as Agent Thomas Rayner on General Hospital from 2008 to 2010, a recurring role spanning 41 episodes where he investigated high-stakes criminal activities within the show's narrative. In Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Pinter guest-starred as James Townsend in the 2004 episode "Ill-Bred," depicting a wealthy horse breeder entangled in a murder investigation. He also played Jordan Owens in the 2001 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Secrets," a character involved in a sensitive child custody case. Later, in 2020, Pinter portrayed John Bell in two episodes of Narcos: Mexico, contributing to the series' depiction of DEA operations amid the drug trade. These primetime appearances highlighted transitions between his soap contracts, filling gaps with episodic work that emphasized his skills in intense, dialogue-driven scenes. In film, Pinter debuted on the big screen with a supporting role as Bart in the 1991 comedy-drama , directed by and starring , where he navigated corporate intrigue and personal rivalries. He took a lead role as Edward Speck in the controversial independent drama The Eden Myth in 1999, a film exploring family secrets and dysfunction that premiered at festivals and drew attention for its bold themes. In 2001's , a directed by , Pinter appeared as Carlton Kaller, the lawyer to the protagonist David Amsel (), adding depth to scenes involving legal and ethical dilemmas. More recently, he starred in the 2019 Packed, a compact narrative that showcased his ability to convey emotional intensity in limited runtime, as well as Mooseltoe (2021) as and Hashtag Proposal (2023) as Edwin Deponce. These roles marked periodic returns to cinema during lulls in television commitments, often collaborating with established directors and ensembles to broaden his on-screen profile. Pinter has maintained an active presence in regional theater, performing in a range of classic and contemporary plays across the United States. He starred as Walter Franz in Arthur Miller's The Price at Northern Stage in 2011, earning praise for his portrayal of the slick, opportunistic brother in a family confrontation over inheritance and regret; critics noted his commanding delivery in the play's tense interrogations. In Steven Dietz's Becky's New Car at North Coast Repertory Theatre in 2010, Pinter played one of the male leads opposite Deborah Gelman, contributing to the production's witty exploration of midlife reinvention, with reviews highlighting the cast's dynamic chemistry in the intimate space. His Shakespearean work includes Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona at The Old Globe in 2014, a role that allowed him to blend romance and betrayal in a lively outdoor production, collaborating with director Rachel Rockwell to emphasize the play's comedic elements. These stage engagements, often during off-seasons from television, underscored Pinter's commitment to live performance and his adaptability across genres, from modern comedies to dramatic revivals.

Directing and producing

Mark Pinter transitioned from to directing in the early , leveraging his classical training and decades of stage experience to take on creative leadership roles in theater. His directorial debut came in 2003 with the world premiere of Jonathan Bell's Portraits at the Union Square Theatre in . The production starred and and garnered critical acclaim for its intimate exploration of artistic legacies and personal relationships. Pinter continued directing regional and intimate theater productions, including a notable revival of David Storey's at the Wilton Playshop, where he helmed a cast featuring and Patrick Horgan. This staging highlighted his affinity for ensemble-driven works that blend humor and pathos, reflecting Storey's signature style of understated British domesticity. As a founding member of the Old Creamery Theatre Company in , —established during his early career—Pinter has remained involved in regional theater initiatives, often bridging his roots with behind-the-scenes contributions to sustain community-based productions. His directing efforts, though not as prolific as his on-stage work, demonstrate a focused evolution toward guiding narratives he once performed, emphasizing character depth over spectacle. No producing credits in or productions were identified in available records.

Personal life

Marriages and children

Mark Pinter met actress Colleen Zenk while both were appearing on the soap opera As the World Turns, and the couple married in 1987. Their marriage lasted 23 years, ending in divorce in 2010. Pinter and Zenk had two biological children together: son Morgan (born 1990, died 2018), and daughter Georgia, born in 1993. The couple formed a blended family of six children overall, with each bringing two children from prior relationships, and they actively coparented all four stepchildren throughout their marriage. Pinter remarried on November 7, 2017, to Jenie Dahlmann, who serves as co-CEO and chief marketing and communications officer at the .

Health challenges and advocacy

Mark Pinter has been actively involved in health advocacy, particularly supporting awareness efforts for following his then-wife Pinter's diagnosis in 2007. The couple was honored with the Connecticut Bar Association's Distinguished Award in 2008 for their contributions to , including promoting early detection screenings for . In April 2010, Pinter encountered a personal challenge related to alcohol when he was arrested for and improper lane usage in , after failing a field sobriety test.

Filmography

Film credits

Mark Pinter's film career began with a supporting role in the 1991 comedy-drama Other People's Money, directed by , where he portrayed Bart, an executive in a corporate takeover plot, sharing the screen with as the opportunistic financier. In 1999, Pinter starred as Edward Speck in the independent drama The Eden Myth, a controversial exploring themes of academic and forbidden relationships between a and his . Pinter appeared as Carlton Kaller, a attorney advising the protagonist, in Cameron Crowe's 2001 Vanilla Sky, a of the Spanish Abre los ojos, featuring in the lead role. His role in the 2003 independent feature Season of Youth, directed by Eric Perlmutter, contributed to a set in a environment, though specific character details remain limited in . Pinter took on a part in the 2010 short film Play, a concise piece that highlighted his versatility in smaller cinematic formats. In the 2017 animated short documentary The Driver Is Red, directed by Randall Christopher, Pinter provided the voice for , a key agent involved in the capture of , adding historical depth to the account of the 1960 operation. The film is Sundance award-winning. Pinter portrayed in the 2021 family Mooseltoe. In 2023, he appeared as Edwin Deponce in the Hashtag Proposal.

Television credits

Mark Pinter's television career spans several decades, with a strong emphasis on daytime soap operas where he often portrayed complex, villainous characters. He also appeared in primetime series, miniseries, and guest roles. The following is a chronological catalog of his verified television credits, including character names, run lengths, and series type where applicable.
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodes/NotesType
1979Love of LifeDr. Tom CrawfordRecurringSoap opera
1980–1981Secrets of Midland HeightsCalvin Richardson11 episodesMiniseries
1981–1983Guiding LightMark EvansRecurringSoap opera
1984–1987As the World TurnsBrian McColl39 episodesSoap opera
1988–1989LovingDan Hollister9 episodesSoap opera
1991–1999Another WorldGrant HarrisonContract roleSoap opera
2001–2003All My ChildrenRoger SmytheMultiple stints (January 2001, February–December 2001, March–July 2002, October 2003)Soap opera
2003–2004Guiding LightBrad GreenRecurringSoap opera
2008–2010General HospitalAgent Thomas Rayner41 episodesSoap opera
2013The Young and the RestlessCongressman Marcus WheelerJanuary 10–April 12Soap opera
2018Narcos: MexicoJohn Bell2 episodesDrama series
Pinter has also made guest appearances in various primetime series, including (1990s), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2000s), (2003), NCIS: Los Angeles (2009), (2014), (2016), and Reverie (2018), often in supporting roles that highlight his versatility beyond soaps. No additional television guest spots from 2020 to 2025 have been documented in available records.

References

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