Mark Lutz is perhaps best known for his role as the popular Groosalugg, or Groo, on Joss Whedon's hit TV series "Angel" - but the role is one of many for the Montreal native. He's also logged more than 50 appearances in film and television and is an award-winning writer and producer.
Lutz grew up the eldest of four children in a very close-knit family. An early love of all things aquatic led him to competitive swimming. By the age of eight, he was breaking Canadian age-group swimming records. In college, he was named MVP of the swim team and competed at the Canadian Olympic trials. His swim career was cut short, however, when his shoulder blew out.
Upon leaving university with an Honors B.A. in political science, specializing in International Relations, Lutz began pursuing an acting career. A natural at improvisation and sketch comedy, he trained at Toronto's famed Second City and enjoyed successful stints at some of the city's improv comedy venues.
Subsequently discovered by a talent agent, Lutz shifted into film and television, quickly amassing such impressive credits as "Friends," "E.R.," "King & Maxwell," "Twins," "Ghost Whisperer," "External Affairs," "What About Brian?," "Power Play," "Dick," "La Femme Nikita," "Queer as Folk," "Specimen," "Flashpoint," and "The Facts of Life Reunion."
Lutz was the writer, star, and associate producer of "Victor," the inspirational yet tragic true story of the late Canadian Olympic swimming champion Victor Davis. A ratings smash for the CBC, it earned multiple Gemini Awards and has been shown in over 30 countries, including on the Hallmark Movie Channel.
Subsequently, Lutz wrote, starred in, and produced "Miranda & Gordon," which won the prestigious Remi audience award at the Houston Worldfest Film Festival and completed his latest endeavor, the pilot "E.M.S.," an exciting look into the world of paramedics.
