Biography
Whenever Monte Markham guest-stars on a TV whodunit these days, chances are it was Markham who "done it." Long before he became everybody's favorite mystery killer, however, Markham was a likeable leading man in the Jimmy Stewart mode. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Markham started out as a stage actor. In 1967, he landed the starring role in his first-ever TV series, playing the dual role of a "quick-frozen" 99-year-old man and his 33-year-old grandson on
The Second Hundred Years. Two years later, he essayed the
Gary Cooper role in the weekly TV version of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. And in 1973, he played the title character in the ill-advised New Perry Mason. That same year, Markham made his Broadway debut in
Irene, winning a Theatre World Award for his performance. In the 1980s, he played Clint Ogden in the prime-time serial
Dallas (1981) and Carter Robinson in the syndicated soap opera
Rituals (1984); he also briefly hosted the daily informational series
Breakaway (1984). Contemporary TV viewers know Markham as Captain Don Thorpe in
Baywatch and Mr. Parker in
Melrose Place. In addition to his extensive acting credits, Monte Markham has directed two feature films,
Defense Play (1988) and
Neon City (1992). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide