Mark Povinelli
Born (1971-08-09) August 9, 1971
Elyria, Ohio, U.S.
Alma materMiami University
Occupation(s)Actor, social activist
Years active1998 - present
Height115 cm (3 ft 9 in)
SpouseHeather Davis (m. 2001)
Children2

Mark Povinelli (born August 9, 1971) is an American stage, television and movie actor who also does occasional stunt work. Povinelli is also a noted social activist advocating for the rights of others with dwarfism. In June 2017, Povinelli was elected President of the Little People of America, an organization started in 1957 by Billy Barty,[1] which promotes awareness, advocacy and medical assistance for individuals with forms of dwarfism. Povinelli stands 3’ 9½" and weighs 75 pounds (115 cm, 34 kg) as a consequence of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDc), a skeletal dysplasia caused by a mutation in the COL2A1 (type II collagen) gene.[2]

His repertory encompasses drama, comedy, and fantasy. He has appeared in a wide range of productions, from stage plays by William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson to roles in television series such as Modern Family[3] and Boardwalk Empire, as well as in popular movies including The Polar Express.[4]

Life and career

Povinelli was born in Elyria, Ohio, and is the youngest of four children. His parents and siblings are average-size. His older brother Brian Povinelli is a marketer who inspired Mark's acting career. He is of Italian descent.[5] Povinelli graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland in 1989, and then graduated in 1993 from Miami University with a degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Theater Acting.[6] Onstage in 2003 in Lee Breuer's production of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, retitled Mabou Mines DollHouse,[7] Povinelli drew praise from The New York Times: "The men embody small-minded convention and stunted possibilities...Mr. Povinelli makes us feel Torvald's repressive sexual virility at every turn."[8] He has characterized his approach to acting for The Village Voice: "Being so tremendously different provides you with an analytical depth ... Like any actor, I try to bring as much of myself to the role I'm playing as possible. Every day I go out I'm made aware of my size. Why should I deny myself the richness of that experience when I go onstage?"[9]

Povinelli starred opposite Robert Pattinson and Oscar winners Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz in the Fox 2011 film Water for Elephants,[10][11] playing the role of Kinko. The film was adapted from the New York Times bestseller by Sara Gruen and premiered April 2011.[12][13]

In 2012, he appeared in Mirror Mirror, which starred Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, and Lily Collins.[14] In the same year, Povinelli was cast as a series regular on the television series Are You There, Chelsea?, starring Laura Prepon. This made him the first little person ever to be cast as a series regular on a network studio sitcom.[15]

In 2015-2016 he had a recurring role as "The Cat" in the Amazon Studios original Mad Dogs, which also starred Steve Zahn and Michael Imperioli.

Since 2014, Mark can be heard weekly on LA Talk Radio's "Perfectly Imperfect Radio" program.[16]

Personal life

Povinelli currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Heather Davis, and their two children. Mark's brother-in-law, Erik Davis, was the 2020 El Presidente of Old Spanish Days Fiesta and is a television executive.

Works

Films:

Television:

Stage:

  • 2023: The Return of Benjamin Lay - Benjamin Lay
  • 2009: Mabou Mines Dollhouse - Torvald Helmer

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Hollywood Actor Billy Barty Dies at Age 76". ABC News.
  2. ↑ Tiller, George E.; Polumbo, Paula A.; Weis, Mary Ann; Bogaert, Ray; Lachman, Ralph S.; Cohn, Daniel H.; Rimoin, David L.; Eyre, David R. (September 1995). "Dominant mutations in the type II collagen gene, COL2A1, produce spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia, Strudwick type". Nature Genetics. 11 (1): 87–9. doi:10.1038/ng0995-87. PMID 7550321. S2CID 24826973.
  3. ↑ Our Children, Ourselves
  4. ↑ "Mark Povinelli". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  5. ↑ Justin, Neil (2012-02-14). "Short actor stands tall". Star Tribune.
  6. ↑ "Alumni Spotlight Series". Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. November 11, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Mabou Mines Dollhouse Film".
  8. ↑ Jefferson, M. Theater review: Fun-House Proportions Turn Dominance Upside Down. The New York Times. 2003, November 24.
  9. ↑ McNulty, "Welcome to Lee Breuer's Dollhouse: Lee Breuer Goes Little — and Literal — with His Production of Ibsen's Classic". The Village Voice. 2003, November 12–18.
  10. ↑ "INTERVIEW: Mark Povinelli (Kinko/Walter) talks about his role in Water for Elephants and MORE". 21 April 2011.
  11. ↑ "Mark Povinelli Pictures & Photos - "Water for Elephants" New York City Premiere - Arrivals". Archived from the original on 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
  12. ↑ Ditzian, Eric (April 13, 2011). "Robert Pattinson's 'Water For Elephants' Premiere To Stream Live On MTV.com". MTV. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  13. ↑ "'Water for Elephants' Premieres in New York City". 18 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "Mark Povinelli: Mirror Mirror reflects frustrating times for dwarf actors". TheGuardian.com. 6 April 2012.
  15. ↑ Catlin, Roger (2012-02-18). "For dwarves, movies and reality TV bring another pop culture surge". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  16. ↑ "LA Talk Radio | Perfectly Imperfect Radio with Kathy, Toby, Geri & Mark". Archived from the original on 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
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