Bio
Mark Coles Smith is an Australian actor best known for his starring roles in such television series as Hard Rock Medical, The Gods of Wheat Street and Old School.
Hailing from Broome, Mark has worked across several performing arts genres, first and foremost as an actor, but also as a writer, producer and sound designer.
Mark can be seen on screen in two ABC series: Old School, opposite Bryan Brown and Sam Neill; and in the main cast role of Tristan in The Gods of Wheat Street. He also appeared on the small screen in the hit American comedy Modern Family, and in the lead role of Gary Frazier in Hard Rock Medical, a
co-production between SBS TV and Canada's TV Ontario.
Mark's feature film credits include Last Cab To Darwin opposite Jacki Weaver, Around the Block opposite Christina Ricci and Jeremy Sims' Beneath Hill 60, as well as several award-winning short films.
His television debut came in 2003 with the series Ocean Star (BBH), and other television credits include Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (ABC), Blue Heelers (Southern Star), and a recurring role in The Circuit for SBS TV.
Mark's theatre credits include Jandamarra under the direction of Phil Thompson and Wulamanayuwi and Seven Pamanuas, directed by Noel Jordan for the Darwin Festival. He has also toured extensively with the Barking Gecko Theatre Company.
With a gift for storytelling, Mark worked under the guidance of Gary Crew as part of the Indigenous Mentorship Program for the Australian Society of Authors. He has a certificate in Aboriginal Theatre from WAAPA and a Bachelor in Indigenous Studies.
In 2007 he won the Yvonne Cohen Award from the VCA Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts. In 2008 he took out a grant from ScreenWest for the short film Layoordoo, which he wrote, co-produced and directed, while also featuring in a supporting role. Layoordoo screened at Toronto's ImagiNATIVE Film Festival.
In addition to his acting and writing, Mark has pursued work in the field of audio production and sound design. He freelance produces across an array of genres, including the debut album of Australian Hip Hop group 'Bare Minimum' and an electronica album under the alias 'Karate Surfing.'