Mark Proksch
Mark Proksch | |
|---|---|
 Proksch in 2016 | |
| Born | 1978 or 1979 (age 45–46) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Spouse | Amelie Gillette |
Mark Proksch(/ˈprʊkʃ/PRUUKSH;born 1978 or 1979)[1][2]is an American comedian andcharacter actor.He is best known for acting in the television seriesThe Office,Better Call Saul,Dream Corp LLC,What We Do in the Shadowsand as a fictionalized version of himself in theOn Cinemauniverse.
He rose to prominence when he portrayed the character "K-Strass", a parody of ayo-yomaster, who appeared on local news shows.[3]
Early life[edit]
Proksch grew up inOnalaska, Wisconsin,and is a graduate of Onalaska High School and theUniversity of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.[2][4]
K-Strass[edit]
Proksch had the alias of Kenny "K-Strass" Strasser early in his career, during which he appeared on small-market local newscasts as a hapless "yo-yomaster. "[5]In these appearances, he fabricated stories about visiting schools to speak to children aboutenvironmentalism.When asked to perform tricks live on the air, he would display a complete inability to do any of them. The character of K-Strass was described by online magazinePasteas "the funniest thing that's ever happened" and speaking "in a nasalMidwestern accent,with a halting cadence that was both awkward and deliberate. "[6]K-Strass was created when Proksch's temp job at an ad agency fell through.[7]
Proksch also appeared as K-Strass while opening forGregg Turkington'sNeil Hamburgeron tour.[8]Turkington and Proksch would work together again onOn Cinema.
Television career[edit]
Proksch had a recurring role on the television seriesThe OfficeasNate,Dwight Schrute's lackey and the office handyman. He appeared in 19 episodes over the show's final three seasons. In March 2013, Proksch starred in the NBC television pilotHolding Patterns.He also voiced the character Johnnie in theAdventure Timeepisode "Bad Timing."In March 2014, Proksch appeared in an episode ofPortlandiaas Carrie Brownstein's love interest.[9]From 2015 to 2017 he appeared as Daniel "Pryce" Wormald, a recurring character on theAMCdrama seriesBetter Call Saul,a prequel toBreaking Bad.From 2014 through 2020, Proksch appeared as the character "Randy Blink" in theAdult SwimseriesDream Corp LLC.In 2015, Proksch appeared in Season 3, Episode 1 ofDrunk Historyin which he told the story of theBone Wars.
On Cinema at the Cinema[edit]
Proksch plays a fictionalized version of himself in theOn Cinemauniverse, in which he attempts various impersonations, includingW.C. FieldsandThe Marx Brothers.The fictional Proksch was briefly declared dead during the 5th AnnualOn CinemaOscarspecial, having suffocated inside a heavydiving suitduring aJawsimpersonation skit.[10]His character briefly appears in season 10's VR episodes, when the camera is turned showing his comatose body. This takes place during a recurring section in whichGregg Turkingtonplays his old audition tapes for films he failed to be cast in. His comatose body again appears in the 6th Annual Oscar special as "The Living Oscar". Painted gold and strapped to a gurney, pre-recorded phrases in his voice are played in answer to questions surrounding Oscar trivia. During one segment his comatose body is slowly rotated around a compilation of past Oscar nominated films. He awakens after being knocked over by hostTim Heideckerand spends the rest of the special in a state of confusion and shock while bleeding from a broken nose. The fictional Proksch still appeared confused in the next season ofOn Cinema.After being beaten in a Los Angeles Police Department holding cell when he was wrongly arrested for sellingVHScopies ofpublic domainmovies with Gregg, he goes missing. During the 8th Annual Oscar special, a brief video recording that appears to depict the fictional Proksch surfaces and suggests that he no longer wishes to be involved with the hosts ofOn Cinema.He later returns to co-star as The Mummy and other characters, in Deck of Cards.
What We Do in the Shadows[edit]
Proksch stars as Colin Robinson, anenergy vampire,in theFXseriesWhat We Do in the Shadows,as well as portraying the reincarnation of Colin Robinson as a child and teenager (nicknamed "The Boy" ) following the original Colin's death in the third season finale.
Personal life[edit]
Proksch is married to writerAmelie Gillette.[11]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Hamlet A.D.D. | N/A | Uncredited |
| A Merry Friggin' Christmas | Trooper Zblocki | ||
| 2016 | Another Evil | Os Bijourn | |
| Asperger's Are Us | Himself/K-Strass | Documentary | |
| 2019 | Her Mind in Pieces | Jeffrey Presch | |
| VHYes | Teddy | ||
| Mister America | Mark Proksch | Archive footage |
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2013 | The Office | Nate Nickerson | 19 episodes |
| 2012, 2014 | Infomercials | Kenny/Kirk Peckley | Episode: "Smart Pipe" & "Swords, Knives, Very Sharp Objects, and Cutlery" |
| 2013 | Bob's Burgers | Mr. Dinkler | Episode: "Topsy" |
| Animal Practice | Gary | Episode: "Wingmen" | |
| Hello Ladies | Father | Episode: "The Wedding" | |
| New Girl | Dan | Episode: "Nerd" | |
| Comedy Bang! Bang! | Alternate Reality Man | Episode: "Andy Dick Wears a Black Suit Jacket & Skinny Tie" | |
| Eagleheart | Craig Balmer | Episode: "Bowsley" | |
| 2014–2017 | Decker | Abdul Shariff/Mark Proksch/Frankenstein/Wolfman/WC-3P0 | 20 episodes |
| 2014–2020 | Dream Corp LLC | Randy Blink | 30 episodes, 1 pilot short |
| 2014 | Adventure Time | Johnnie | Episode: "Bad Timing" |
| Portlandia | Sean | Episode: "Pull-Out King" | |
| Modern Family | Coleman | Episode: "Message Received" | |
| Marry Me | Chad | Episode: "Move Me" | |
| Selfie | Waiter | Episode: "Follow Through" | |
| 2015 | Drunk History | Narrator | Episode: "New Jersey" |
| 2015–2017 | Better Call Saul | Daniel "Pryce" Wormald | 4 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Son of Zorn | Todd | 9 episodes |
| 2017 | Comrade Detective | Stefan/American Guard/Embassy Officer | 3 episodes |
| Apollo Gauntlet | Monty | 5 episodes | |
| Tarantula | Voice | Episode: "The Shade" | |
| 2018 | This Is Us | Mel Buchanan | Episode: "The Car" |
| Fresh Off The Boat | Chad | Episode: "Let Me Go, Bro" | |
| A.P. Bio | Philip | Episode: "Teacher Jail" | |
| Room 104 | Gene | Episode: "Hungry" | |
| 2019 | Corporate | Mark | Episode: "The Fall" |
| 2019–present | What We Do in the Shadows | Colin Robinson | Main Cast, 50 episodes |
| 2020 | Black Monday | Lou 'Jewdini' Dinowitz | Episode: "Idiot Inside" |
| 2021 | Q-Force | Additional voices | 2 episodes |
| Ten Year Old Tom | Dakota's Dad | 3 episodes | |
| 2022 | The Great North | Roy | Episode: "Dances With Wolfs Adventure" |
| Fairfax | Terry | 2 episodes | |
| Central Park | Lester Posey/Nico | ||
| Paradise PD | Norf | 4 episodes | |
| 2023 | HouseBroken | Amigo | Episode: "Who's the Cat-Chelorette" |
| 2024 | Exploding Kittens | Marv Higgins | 9 episodes |
Web series[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Episode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-present | On Cinema | Mark Proksch | 21 episodes, 7 special |
Music videos[edit]
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bubblegum Dog | MGMT | Cameo |
Nomination[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021
|
Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | What We Do in the Shadows | Nominated |
References[edit]
- ^Holmes, David (April 23, 2011).FRI Apr 22: Mark Proksch 1.A Drink with Dave. Event occurs at 00:25.RetrievedAugust 15,2022.
- ^abJustin, Neal (March 26, 2019). "Midwestern Bite".The Star Tribune.p. E3.
Proksch, 40, grew up in La Crosse, Wis., and got his undergraduate degree at UW-Eau Claire...
- ^"Fake Yo-Yo Trickster Fools Every TV Station Everywhere".Deadspin.RetrievedOctober 31,2021.
- ^Erickson, Randy (January 2, 2017). "Breaking Big: Onalaska Native Moves Up in Hollywood".The Post-Crescent.p. 2C.
- ^Petchesky, Barry."Fake Yo-Yo Trickster Fools Every TV Station Everywhere".Deadspin.
- ^Ryan, Shane."K-Strass: The Funniest Thing That's Ever Happened".Paste.
- ^Erickson, Randy."Onalaska grad spins yo-yo prank into gig on TV's 'The Office'".LaCross Tribune.
- ^Ritzen, Stacey."Mike's Client On Last Night's 'Better Call Saul' Used To Be A Fake 'Yo-Yo Master'".Uproxx.
- ^"Portlandia – Pull Out King".IFC.Archived fromthe originalon November 10, 2014.RetrievedNovember 10,2014.
- ^"Navigating On Cinema's Giant, Underground Universe".Vulture.RetrievedApril 26,2021.
- ^https://lacrossetribune /breaking-big-onalaska-s-mark-proksch-moving-up-in-show-biz-world/article_7e3f4f03-463b-5312-b9e3-9bc9bb95ca91.html
- ^"Critics' Choice Awards 2021: The Complete List of TV Nominations".E! Online.January 18, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 12,2021.
