Glenn Quinn

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Glenn Martin Christopher Francis Quinn (28 May 1970^[1] – 3 December 2002) was an Irish actor in television and film, best known for his role as Mark Healy in the American series Roseanne, as well as for his role on the first season of Angel.

Early life

Glenn Martin Christopher Francis Quinn was born in Dublin, Ireland, and raised in Cabinteely, County Dublin. As a teenager, he played drums in a band, and acted in productions at small local theatres. Quinn attended Clonkeen College and moved to the Long Beach area of California in 1988 with his mother, Bernadette, and sisters Sonya and Louisa and his brother Ciaran. He worked odd jobs at power plants, restaurants and more before deciding to pursue an acting career.

Career

Quinn did commercials for Pepsi and Ray-Ban, appeared in the music video for the Richard Marx song "Satisfied," and was an extra in the pilot of Beverly Hills, 90210, though he was barely visible in the final broadcast version. His first speaking part was as a guest-star in an episode of the short-lived The Outsiders.

In 1991, Quinn had his first major role in a movie, Shout, which starred John Travolta and in which he shared an on-screen kiss with Gwyneth Paltrow. Later, one of Quinn's more visible roles was that of Mark Healy, Becky Conner's boyfriend, and later, husband in Roseanne. While working on that show, Quinn took on the role as youngest son Cedric on the US & UK TV series Covington Cross. In 1992 he starred alongside Holly Marie Combs in Dr. Giggles.^[1]

Although he spent years doing an American accent on Roseanne, Quinn was pleased producers made Doyle on Angel Irish because it would allow him to use his native accent. In an interview with The Irish Times, Quinn said of his accent: "I've been hiding it for so long that it's amazing to have some freedom. It was like putting on an old pair of shoes. It's bringing my soul back to life." ^[2] His last film work was on the critically acclaimed 2002 R.S.V.P..

Personal life and death

In addition to acting, Quinn enjoyed collecting Star Wars memorabilia, playing the drums and guitar, and car racing. He also co-owned a nightclub called "Goldfingers" in Los Angeles, California.

Quinn died on 3 December 2002.^[3] Police and autopsy reports revealed the cause of death to be a heroin overdose. His body was found on the couch of a friend he was visiting in North Hollywood, California.

During his time on Angel, he became extremely close to co-stars David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, and Christian Kane. Quinn, Boreanaz, and Kane were frequently spotted as guests at the Playboy Mansion. Later, during DVD commentary for the show's fifth season, Kane recalled how much they all still miss him, and talked about the emotions during Angel's fifth season, where he was supposed to impersonate Quinn's character Doyle. He remarks in the commentary of "You're Welcome" that he, Charisma Carpenter and Boreanaz would at times tear up during shooting.

Quotes

Glenn Quinn: When you get to speak Irish, you become more at one with yourself, you kind of have a spark when you use it, and I think it's a great dialect. When they first cast me, I was a pretty avid fan of vampire movies and Celtic mythology, so I was excited to get a chance to walk in Doyle's shoes and have fun with it.

Filmography

Video games

• Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter (1996)
• Outlaws (1997) as 'Rattlesnake' Dick Farmer
• The Curse of Monkey Island (1997) as Pirate #5

References

External links

• Glenn Quinn at the Internet Movie Database
• Glenn Quinn at TV.com
• Glenn Quinn at Find A Grave