Mark LaMarr Thompson (born December 26, 1955) is an American radio personality (disc jockey) and occasional actor, best known for the nationally syndicated Mark & Brian morning show.
Early life After attending the University of North Alabama, Thompson worked as a disc jockey at several stations in the southern United States (including WHHY AM 1440 in Montgomery, Alabama) before meeting his partner Brian Phelps in Birmingham, Alabama in 1986. The next year the duo moved their show to KLOS-FM in Los Angeles, where they remained until the show's end in 2012. Thompson's wife, Lynda, their three children (Matthew, Amy and Katie), his nephew David, and his niece Nina are well known among regular listeners of the program. Thompson and Phelps garnered a 1991 National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award as "Air Personalities of the Year."
Career The popularity of The Mark & Brian Show gave Thompson several opportunities to branch out into other entertainment media. In 1991-92, he and Phelps hosted a short-lived NBC TV series, The Adventures of Mark & Brian, based on their radio show.The 1991 Fall TV Preview: Sunday Thompson has also appeared in several motion pictures, notably Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (the 1993 ninth installment in the Friday the 13th series) and The Princess Diaries (2001). He also wrote and starred in the 2002 independent film, Mother Ghost, and briefly appeared as a love interest (coincidentally named Brian) of Reba McEntire's character on three episodes in the 2002-2003 season of the Reba television show.
On June 13, 2012, Thompson announced that he would be retiring from radio after 25 years and would move to Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, mentioning that his new home would be equipped with a studio that would allow him to do occasional media work. His last day at KLOS was August 17, 2012.""Mark & Brian Show" ends 25 years at KLOS, LA, with retirement of Mark Thompson" from Radio-Info (June 13, 2012) Thompson and his wife host The Mark & Lynda Podcast, which focuses primarily on relationship issues.The Mark & Lynda Podcast In addition, Thompson co-hosted the Pro Football Slam podcast with Los Angeles Times journalist Sam FarmerPro Football Slam during the 2013-2014 football season. That podcast did not return for the 2014-2015 season. He also began hosting the Cool Stories in Music podcast in December 2013.Cool Stories in Music: A Show about the Stories You Haven't Heard According to Thompson, the podcast is inspired by the biographies, stories, and chart trivia segments of the Kasem-era American Top 40 radio program.Cool Stories in Music: Pre-Launch Teaser
On December 8, 2014, Thompson announced on his podcast he would be returning to morning radio in Los Angeles and that he would be doing morning drive from his home studio in North Carolina. The Mark and Lynda podcast will continue, but will be shifted later in the day and will be shorter. He also announced that Cool Stories in Music will be syndicated on Sunday on the same radio station.
Thompson began hosting a radio show, "Mark in the Morning" which started on February 2, 2015 on rival classic rock station 100.3 KSWD The Sound in Los Angeles. His on-air talent includes Andy Chanley, Gina Grad, and his daughter, Katie Thompson, as "Chick on the Street". Daniel Mizrahi is the only staff member he brought over from his time at KLOS. Thompson was eventually let go from his position due to low ratings, and exited KSWD on August 3, 2016, and plans to launch a syndicated radio program, "Cool Stories in Music."
On August 17, 2020, Thompson and Phelps were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
In September 2022, Thompson released his memoir, Don't Bump the Record, Kid: My Adventures With Mark and Brian.
In 2023, Thompson began hosting his new podcast, "What You Do." His show features guests along with comedic chatter.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1990Rocky VReporter1993Jason Goes to Hell: The Final FridayOfficer Mark1997TrekkiesHimself2001The Princess DiariesDJ Mark2002Mother GhostKeith Bennett2007Totally BakedSecret Service Agent #22008HelpDr. SinaShort film2009Two:ThirteenRussell Spivey2018The Assassin's CodeCaptain Jack O'Brian
Television Year Title Role Notes1988Crime StoryPilot #1Episode: "Going Home"1989Married... with ChildrenCatererEpisode: "Married... with Prom Queen: The Sequel"Stuck with Each OtherAssistant Hotel ManagerTelevision film1990CheersBar PatronEpisode: "Veggie-Boyd"1991–1992The Adventures of Mark & BrianHimself13 episodes1992Ring of the MusketeersTV AnnouncerTelevision film1993Quantum LeapDiner GuyEpisode: "Memphis Melody - July 3, 1954"The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.Mayor DixEpisode: "Mail Order Brides"1995Ned and StaceyGaryEpisode: "Threesomes"1997Perversions of ScienceSoldierEpisode: "Boxed In"1998Dharma & GregGuy #2Episode: "Invasion of the Buddy Snatcher"Party of FiveAnnouncer (voice)Episode: "A Family Album"1999Odd Man OutHimselfEpisode: "Fight Club"2002–2003RebaBrian3 episodes2004–2020Reno 911!Reverend Gigg LeCarp3 episodes2005Danger RangersMonster Truck Rally Announcer (voice)Episode: "The Great Race" A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.2007Ben 10Vance Vetteroy (voice)Episode: "Monster Weather"2007–2012Phineas and FerbAnnouncer Dave, Radio DJ (voice)3 episodes2008DirtEntertainment Anchor #2Episode: "Dirty, Slutty Whores"MadTVHimselfEpisode: "14.1"2008–2009Hole in the WallHost18 episodes2010Criminal MindsDJ BrianEpisode: "Our Darkest Hour"2014Fish HooksRadio Announcer (voice)Episode: "Algae Day"2018Black LightningRandyEpisode: "And Then the Devil Brought the Plague: The Book of Green Light"StarDoctorEpisode: "Mrs. Rivera"
References
External links http://www.mandlstudios.com/