Mark Salling

Mark Salling

Active - 1996 - 2014  |   Born - Aug 17, 1982 in Dallas, Texas, United States  |   Died - Jan 30, 2018   |   Genres - Music, Comedy, Musical

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Biography by AllMovie

Dallas native Mark Salling wrestled in high school and appeared on Walker, Texas Ranger and in the 1996 horror flick Children of the Corn: The Gathering. But music was his first love, so after high school he headed west to Los Angeles to embark on a music career. The gifted singer/songwriter/musician, who plays guitar, piano, bass, and drums, initially found it rough going and taught guitar lessons while attending the Los Angeles Music Academy in Pasadena. He recorded a solo album, Smoke Signals, in 2007 and released it under the pseudonym Jericho. That same year he appeared in the slasher film The Graveyard, but making a name in Hollywood wasn't working out. Just as he was about to abandon his dream and return to Texas, a manager signed him and sent him out on an audition for a new TV musical comedy. He cut his hair into a mohawk for the Glee tryouts to stand apart from everyone else. It worked; he was cast as self-centered football player Puck. He made his big-screen debut in the 2011 documentary Glee Live! In Concert!

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Factsheet

  • Was on the wrestling team in high school.
  • Began acting during the '90s; appeared on Walker, Texas Ranger and in 1996's Children of the Corn: The Gathering.
  • Was a singer-songwriter who played guitar and piano.
  • Recorded and released a 2007 album, Smoke Signals, with his band, Jericho.