Director

Mark Haptonstall is an American actor, screenwriter and poet. Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mark grew up with an enormous appetite for art and athletics. He started studying Taekwondo at just four years old, and shortly after began attending art classes at Bemis Art School. He later enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program at William J. Palmer High School. He was a decorated three sport athlete in Track, Football and Basketball. He had scholarship offers from Division 1 track programs, but turned them down to study Acting in San Francisco.

While living in SF, Mark attended both the Academy of Art University and the Meisner Technique Studio simultaneously. He earned his BFA in Acting and completed both programs while beginning his professional career. In the first couple of years following graduation, Mark starred in half a dozen plays all over the Bay Area including: 'Proof', 'Seminar', 'I Hate Hamlet', 'The Heiress', 'Entertaining Mr. Sloane' and more. He also began his professional film career with small short films like 'Country Fixin's' (starring Ellen Geer). Eventually, he made his feature film debut as Reubens in Roger Corman's 'Art School of Horrors'. Mark received amazing reviews from local screenings and even from Roger Corman himself- but the film was never released.

In 2014, Mark played Philip Hutchins in the indie feature film 'Roxie' and followed the momentum down to LA where he began his work on television. Mark started on TV as many actors do; by doing small costar and guest star roles to earn his SAG card and establish credits in the industry. He appeared in several great roles including Detective Young in 'Unusual Suspects' and Tech in 'Drone Wars'.

Mark also began his work as a filmmaker during this time and after a successful Kickstarter campaign he wrote, directed, produced and played a small part in his first short film, 'Makeshift Memories' (starring Marie O'Donnell).

Then in 2020, Mark landed more of a breakthrough role starring as Kyle in 'Dangerous Medicine' on Lifetime Movie Network. He wrapped filming the very same day Hollywood shut down for Covid.

Before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Mark played a supporting role in Randy Moore's newest feature film, 'Tim & Milly'. He is producing a feature with UK-based production companies that he co-wrote and is expected to star in.

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

Mark Haptonstall

Director

Writer

Actor

Producer

Credit Score: Mark Haptonstall