Mark Atkinson is an American actor, filmmaker and comedian who appeared in the films Skin: The Movie (2020) and Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), and produced the short films Pulp Friction (2021) and Leave 'Em Laughing (2020). Atkinson won Best Supporting Actor at World Music & Independent Film Festival and received acting nominations at Austin Revolution Film Festival and Oceanside International Film Festival.
Personal life After graduating from South Kingstown High School in 1997, Atkinson received a bachelor's degree to conclude four years at University of Rhode Island. He moved to San Diego and briefly studied comedy in Los Angeles at The Groundlings and The Second City. Atkinson later settled in Ocean Beach, San Diego.
Career Atkinson worked as a lifeguard in South Kingstown and had a job at Marriott for a short period. He moved to California after doing comedy in Boston and Rhode Island at locations such as AS220 and The Station.
In 2007, Atkinson did commercial work that aired on ESPN. Years later he started his own production company and produced the films 92115, Leave 'Em Laughing, and The Power Agent.
In 2020, he was cast as a Denny's manager in Selena: The Series. In 2021, Atkinson starred alongside Randy Davison in Pulp Friction, a film he also wrote and produced. In 2022, he played Marv in Kung Fu Ghost and voiced an animated character in a film called 3 Little Kungpoo Goats, featuring Caroline Amiguet and Brian Patrick Butler. In 2023, Atkinson appeared in the film Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea.
In 2025, Atkinson moderated a panel at San Diego Comic-Con to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release for the film Jaws. Panelists included film critic Chris Gore, author Pat Jankiewicz, Fangoria columnist Steph Cannon, and world record Jaws memorabilia collector Chris Kiszka.
Filmography +Feature film Year Title RoleNotes2006What's The Vig?Phil2019 Dark Harbor The Restaurant Manager2020 Skin: The Movie Beaver2021 Continuance Homeless ManMega64 Version 4.1: Revengurrection Steve Vacation2022 Kung Fu Ghost Marv3 Little Kungpoo Goats Hyena (voice)Last Chance Tom2023Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink TeaKeith2024Sincerely SaulStew the SuitYou, Me and Christmas Makes ThreeBorisTBAConcert Heroes
+Short film Year Title RoleActorDirectorScreenwriterProducerNotes2016A Quint-mas CarolUncle QuintDirected by Justin Burquist2017The Patio: A Bad Parody to a Bad MovieMark / TommyForgotten HeroLieutenant "Pinky" McKellarFeaturing Larry Poole2018When Howie Met RonnieRonnie Mund92115Craig Kilpatrick2019 LuckyBradOld AquaticsDrew Hunsler2020Leave 'Em LaughingAwkward StagehandThe Power AgentMark2021Pulp FrictionMartySunken Holiday
Accolades List of awards and nominationsEventYearAwardFilmResultRef.Oceanside International Film Festival2019Best Supporting ActorLuckyWorld Music & Independent Film Festival2020Best Supporting Actor in a Feature FilmSkin: The MovieAustin Revolution Film Festival2022Actor of the YearPulp FrictionIdyllwild International Festival of Cinema2022Indie Spirit AwardPulp FrictionBest Short Film2021Best Ensemble Cast Short FilmGPSBest Short FilmThe Power AgentBest Director – ShortBest Screenplay – Short2020Best Ensemble Cast FeaturetteSkin: The MovieBest Ensemble Cast – Short Film92115
Kahuna Productions
Atkinson formed his own film production company Kahuna Productions based on a his love for wearing Hawaiian shirts while growing up, something he said he picked up from Ace Ventura. The company was behind the films A Quintmas Carol, The Patio: A Bad Parody to a Bad Movie, When Howie Met Ronnie, 92115, The Power Agent, and Pulp Friction.
In A Quintmas Carol, Atkinson portrayed Captain Quint as an uncle in a short film about 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. It was directed by Justin Burquist. The Patio: A Bad Parody to a Bad Movie is a short parody of The Room and The Disaster Artist. When Howie Met Ronnie is a Howard Stern fan film that was edited by Tony Olmos and distributed by Film Threat. 92115 is a short film about a postal carrier in San Diego that was written and adapted by Jordan Jacobo. Film Threat scored it 7 out of 10.
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