I'm so sad. I knew Mark Fotopoulos going back to 2nd grade and all through High School. I remember him as an excellent actor performing in New Trier plays. Too young . . . just too young! He was always popular and always entertaining . . . a very bubbly person.
Mark Fotopoulos was born on September 25, 1956 in Wilmette, Illinois, USA as Mark John Fotopoulos. He was an actor, known for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). He died on November 29, 1991 in Duval County, Florida, USA. See full bio »
I created a Facebook group, "Memories of Mark Fotopoulos [1956-1991], and invite anyone who was a friend of my brother Mark to join. It's a private group so we won't have to deal with spam and trolls. I'll be posting a lot of photos and video in the near future, and hope to see some from you as well.
On Wednesday September 25th, Mark's birthday, I'll be visiting Christ Church Cemetery in Winnetka on Sheridan Road, just south of Tower, where Mark's earthly remains and those of our mother are interred. It's a beautiful place, and the last time I was there I was surprised at how many people I knew from New Trier, or their parents, are also interred at Christ Church.
I'm not sure yet what time I'll be going; probably around noon to avoid rush hour traffic. If you're interested in dropping by to share memories and say hello please feel free to call or text me at (720) 830-6916. My phone only rings for numbers in my contacts list, so your call will go to voicemail unless I see it on the screen.
I was privileged to say goodbye to Mark in San Francisco and to attend the memorial there with the SF Gay Men's choir. Dr Peterman was there! What fun we had in dance and musicals together! Our duet in The Four Seasons was memorable. I got a chance to see him on Broadway in Cats and he came into the audience to paw me! I will always remember such good things about him and still miss him.
Mark didn't come from the Planet Glencoe, so my only connections remained as a fan of his talent (which was fun and considerable) and memories of his visibility at New Trier as a performer. I admired his gifts........amazed at his confidence.
Mark and I didn't keep tabs but this might have been his first break into the life of show business - as Little Jake in 7th grade - Howard Jr. High - " Annie Get your Gun". Although he had a few boughts of larengites during rehersals - thank goodness he came through as I would have been a lost sole as his under study had I been called upon....My short lived career would have been even shorter
On his birthday, it is a good day to remember Mark and to miss him: what a loss to us and to the Theater world.
We met first year, in the Freshman musical, "Little Mary Sunshine," and his talent was evident from the start: voice, acting, dance, presence, everything. He and David Staller were heads above the rest of us in dance classes with Toby Nicholson. I can sitll visualize the many times when he walked across the New Trier stage, stood still, ,cocking his head, swinging his arm, and then saying "My name is Mark Fotopolis and I am auditioning for the part of ..."
When Dr. Peterman cast Mark as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," I remember asking how he was going to differentiate himself from the Zero Mostel characterization. Mark laid out how the role allowed for an entirely different approach, and when Opening Night came, he embodied the role. I remember the last time I saw him, and the 10th class reunion in 1984, and I'm glad I had a chance to tell him that I knew he was going to go far. He talked excitedly about being in the revival of "West Side Story" on Broadway, along with fellow Trevian Missy Whitchurch: Represent! At one point I found a copy online of the Playbill that listed their names along with the rest of the cast. So cool.
My heart broke when I learned that someone he trusted gave him AIDS. He survived a long time and kept the faith as an activist at rallys, pestering the Center for Disease Control to find a cure. "I'm still here, no thanks to Reagan," his sign read. Since he was an early casuaty in that war, you can see his quilt in the AIDS project. There is a song about him on the AIDS Quilt CD. Also, on YouTube, there is still a wonderful interview that Rian Keating did with Mark where he talks about his life and his hopes for a cure. It brings him back so well!
So Mark, here's to you. You made our rehearsals and productions come alive. You thought deeply about your craft, and you practiced hard. You were always approachable , thoughtul and generous in conversation. I think of you when I see any production, and enjoyy it while thinking of you Whenever you performed, it was one for the angels. Thank you for your spirit. Rest in Power, Mark. Love and Respect, admiration and memory. Rick
Geoffrey Miller
He was the best. Always there whe you needed him.
Julie Worsek (Olian)
A brave, talented man who is dearly missed.
Tibor Ipavic
I'm so sad. I knew Mark Fotopoulos going back to 2nd grade and all through High School. I remember him as an excellent actor performing in New Trier plays. Too young . . . just too young! He was always popular and always entertaining . . . a very bubbly person.
Paula McLeod
From IMDb:
Born:
in Wilmette, Illinois, USADied:
(age 35) in Duval County, Florida, USA
(Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was a movie with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. Mark played the role Aggie.)
James Danziger
Never knew Mark directly but only heard good words about this talented young guy ---
Sad to hear of this loss!
Peter Fotopoulos
Hi all.
I created a Facebook group, "Memories of Mark Fotopoulos [1956-1991], and invite anyone who was a friend of my brother Mark to join. It's a private group so we won't have to deal with spam and trolls. I'll be posting a lot of photos and video in the near future, and hope to see some from you as well.
On Wednesday September 25th, Mark's birthday, I'll be visiting Christ Church Cemetery in Winnetka on Sheridan Road, just south of Tower, where Mark's earthly remains and those of our mother are interred. It's a beautiful place, and the last time I was there I was surprised at how many people I knew from New Trier, or their parents, are also interred at Christ Church.
I'm not sure yet what time I'll be going; probably around noon to avoid rush hour traffic. If you're interested in dropping by to share memories and say hello please feel free to call or text me at (720) 830-6916. My phone only rings for numbers in my contacts list, so your call will go to voicemail unless I see it on the screen.
Best regards,
Peter Fotopoulos
Joan McNally
I was privileged to say goodbye to Mark in San Francisco and to attend the memorial there with the SF Gay Men's choir. Dr Peterman was there! What fun we had in dance and musicals together! Our duet in The Four Seasons was memorable. I got a chance to see him on Broadway in Cats and he came into the audience to paw me! I will always remember such good things about him and still miss him.
Larry Berz
Mark didn't come from the Planet Glencoe, so my only connections remained as a fan of his talent (which was fun and considerable) and memories of his visibility at New Trier as a performer. I admired his gifts........amazed at his confidence.
Mike Armbruster
Mark and I didn't keep tabs but this might have been his first break into the life of show business - as Little Jake in 7th grade - Howard Jr. High - " Annie Get your Gun". Although he had a few boughts of larengites during rehersals - thank goodness he came through as I would have been a lost sole as his under study had I been called upon....My short lived career would have been even shorter
RIP Mark
Richard Boyd
On his birthday, it is a good day to remember Mark and to miss him: what a loss to us and to the Theater world.
We met first year, in the Freshman musical, "Little Mary Sunshine," and his talent was evident from the start: voice, acting, dance, presence, everything. He and David Staller were heads above the rest of us in dance classes with Toby Nicholson. I can sitll visualize the many times when he walked across the New Trier stage, stood still, ,cocking his head, swinging his arm, and then saying "My name is Mark Fotopolis and I am auditioning for the part of ..."
When Dr. Peterman cast Mark as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," I remember asking how he was going to differentiate himself from the Zero Mostel characterization. Mark laid out how the role allowed for an entirely different approach, and when Opening Night came, he embodied the role. I remember the last time I saw him, and the 10th class reunion in 1984, and I'm glad I had a chance to tell him that I knew he was going to go far. He talked excitedly about being in the revival of "West Side Story" on Broadway, along with fellow Trevian Missy Whitchurch: Represent! At one point I found a copy online of the Playbill that listed their names along with the rest of the cast. So cool.
My heart broke when I learned that someone he trusted gave him AIDS. He survived a long time and kept the faith as an activist at rallys, pestering the Center for Disease Control to find a cure. "I'm still here, no thanks to Reagan," his sign read. Since he was an early casuaty in that war, you can see his quilt in the AIDS project. There is a song about him on the AIDS Quilt CD. Also, on YouTube, there is still a wonderful interview that Rian Keating did with Mark where he talks about his life and his hopes for a cure. It brings him back so well!
So Mark, here's to you. You made our rehearsals and productions come alive. You thought deeply about your craft, and you practiced hard. You were always approachable , thoughtul and generous in conversation. I think of you when I see any production, and enjoyy it while thinking of you Whenever you performed, it was one for the angels. Thank you for your spirit. Rest in Power, Mark. Love and Respect, admiration and memory. Rick