Episode 191 - Uncovering Marc Singer: His Hollywood Journey, From The Beastmaster to V and Beyond - Part 1
Hollywood ObsessedShow Notes
On the latest episode of Hollywood Obsessed, Tony Miros sits down with the talented Marc Singer, best known for his iconic roles as heroic Dar in “The Beastmaster” and Mike Donovan in the groundbreaking 1980s sci-fi series “V”. But there’s much more to Singer’s Hollywood story than these unforgettable roles. In this fascinating first part of our conversation, Marc takes us back to the creative family and early experiences that inspired him to pursue acting—and ultimately led him to a remarkable career on stage, television, and film.
Singer opens up about discovering his love of acting through Shakespeare and theater, his early years performing alongside some of Hollywood’s legendary stars, and the invaluable lessons he learned from working with actors including Burt Lancaster, Geraldine Page, Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland, and Maureen O’Sullivan. He also shares some wonderful behind-the-scenes stories from those early days, including an unforgettable first encounter with Lancaster.
We also explore some of the fascinating stops along his journey, from “The Twilight Zone” and “Planet of the Apes” to the cult favorite “For Ladies Only” and the television movie “Paper Dolls,” where he worked with Joan Collins and Daryl Hannah. Marc reflects on what he learned from each experience, why theater remains his first love, and the advice he gives aspiring actors about truly mastering their craft.
And, of course, we get into “The Beastmaster”—the film that transformed Marc Singer into an action and fantasy icon. He reveals what it was like stepping into that legendary role, the challenging conditions of filming, and how the very first day of shooting began with one particularly unforgettable scene in quicksand! It’s a candid, entertaining, and deeply personal conversation with an actor who has spent decades embracing the magic of performing. And this is only Part 1!
MARC SINGER
Singer began his television career in 1974 as Dalton on the short-lived “Planet of the Apes” series. He went on to make guest appearances on shows including “Barnaby Jones,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “The Rookies,” before landing prominent roles in television movies such as “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Something for Joey,” and “Roots: The Next Generations.” His first feature film was 1978’s “Go Tell the Spartans,” followed by “If You Could See What I Hear” in 1982.
Singer’s breakthrough came that same year when he starred as Dar in the action-adventure fantasy “The Beastmaster.” He became even more widely known as journalist Mike Donovan in the groundbreaking 1983 miniseries “V,” its sequel “V: The Final Battle,” and the subsequent television series. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, he continued working steadily in film and television, with appearances on “Dallas,” “The Twilight Zone,” “The Hitchhiker,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Simon & Simon.” He also voiced Man-Bat in “Batman: The Animated Series” and returned to the Beastmaster role in “Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time.”
Beyond his screen work, Singer has maintained a connection to classical theater, performing with the American Conservatory Theater in productions including “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Cyrano de Bergerac.” He later appeared as Lars Tremont in the 2011 “V” reboot and had a recurring role as General Matthew Shrieve on “Arrow.” More recent credits include the Netflix series “AJ and the Queen,” demonstrating that after decades in the business, he continues to bring his talent and versatility to audiences across film and television.
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The conversation with Marc Singer continues on Hollywood Obsessed! In Part 2, Tony Miros goes deeper behind the scenes of the films and television shows that made Singer a beloved action, fantasy, and sci-fi star. And if you thought making “The Beastmaster” was an adventure, wait until you hear what happened when Marc had to share the screen with a very unpredictable—and very large—co-star!
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