Mark McGrath

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2008) (Find sources: Mark McGrath – news, books, scholar)

Mark McGrath
Mark McGrath performing at The Roxy, West Hollywood, CA on Oct. 11, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Mark Sayers McGrath
Born	March 15, 1968 (1968-03-15) (age 41) Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Origin	Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, Pop rock, Punk rock, Alternative metal
Occupations	Musician, Singer, Television host
Instruments	Vocals, Guitar
Associated acts	Sugar Ray, The Wondergirls

Mark Sayers McGrath (born March 15, 1968) is an American singer of the rock band Sugar Ray. McGrath is also best known as being the previous co-host of Extra. He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Biography

Early life

He was born in Hartford, Connecticut and raised in Newport Beach, California. He graduated from Corona del Mar High School. He went on to graduate with a major in Business Communication at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business in 1990. He worked as a truck driver before becoming successful in the music industry.

Music career

McGrath began singing professionally in 1992 with a band composed of his high school friends called Shrinky Dinx (later changed to Sugar Ray). In 1994 the band signed with Atlantic Records. Their first success came in 1997 with the song "Fly". (for more information see: Sugar Ray).

McGrath's personal popularity soared as he appeared on national magazine covers such as Rolling Stone and Spin. He also made numerous appearances on MTV, VH1, and various talk and awards shows. People magazine named him the "Sexiest Rocker" of 1998.^[1] In 1999 McGrath was a member of the short-lived side project The Wondergirls that included Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots.

McGrath contributed the track "Reaching Out" on Strait Up, a tribute album to late vocalist Lynn Strait for whom he has a dedication tattoo to memorialize. He appeared in the video of "Angel's Son," another song written for the album (by Sevendust) and performed with the band during their appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Television career

McGrath began his work as co-host of the Extra television show on September 13, 2004 after a producer had noticed his work hosting various VH1 and MTV programs and asked him to join.^[2] McGrath left the show in July 2008 to focus on his music career.^[3] He also served as a guest judge for American Idol auditions that were aired in early 2005. McGrath received the part of Dex Lawson on The WB show Charmed in 2005, but he ultimately turned it down due to scheduling conflicts, and he was replaced by Jason Lewis.

McGrath was the host of Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll.^[4] and The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious.

Mark has made numerous guest appearance including Las Vegas, North Shore and Law and Order: SVU.

McGrath has made appearances in several films including Scooby-Doo, Father's Day and Uptown Girls.

His relationship with long-time girlfriend Natali will soon be documented in an upcoming VH1 reality show.

McGrath was a Champion of Rock & Roll Jeopardy! on VH1. In the Finals he won against Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and Gary Dell'Abate of The Howard Stern Show.^[5]

References

External links

• Mark McGrath at the Internet Movie Database
• Mark McGrath's Official Facebook
• Mark McGrath's Official Myspace