Canadian actor Marcus Rosner shares how he went from small-town jock to on-screen heartthrob.

Words by Melina Morry

Marcus Rosner embodies the athlete-turned-actor story that we hear about but don’t fully believe. There’s something about those two worlds that seems so far apart, it’s hard to imagine them colliding. Yet, for this Canadian actor, they did.

“I grew up as a total jock,” he confesses. “I never considered the performing arts as something that would be a fit for me.”

After all, everyone knows that the jocks don’t sit with the drama nerds. (We can accredit that lesson to Mean Girls.) And not only do they not sit together, Marcus says he wasn’t even aware that his high school had a theatre!

So, how did he go from courts to casting calls?

A week after his high school graduation, Marcus took a celebratory trip to New York City—a place he had always dreamt of visiting. Albeit, not for the thriving theatre scene but for the same reason that a lot of people dream of NYC: a chance at an inside glimpse of The City That Never Sleeps.

He ended up catching a few Broadway productions—and the rest is history. Well, at least that’s when the acting seed was firmly planted in his mind.

“That was the first time I started to consider acting as a possible interest, let alone a career path,” says Marcus.

Shortly after getting home from his Big Apple adventure, Marcus decided to enroll in film school in Vancouver. Flash-forward through “a mountain of setbacks, self-doubt and perseverance” and here we are.

Marcus has had the opportunity to act in many noteworthy shows during his strong career, from Arrow to Supernatural, Once Upon a Time to When Calls the Heart. However, perhaps none push as many boundaries as his latest endeavour, UnREAL—a Bachelor-inspired dark comedy drama series that aims to pull the curtains back on the reality and entertainment industries.

“There’s no denying that this is a racy show,” he admits. “There were times when I would read the script and think ‘wow, are they really going to want me to say that?’ The [writers] aren't bashful and it serves the story. Although, at one point I remember re-shooting one of my scenes in which they ultimately decided some of the language was a bit too rough.”

In the show, Marcus plays a sweet and simple Texas cowboy named Warren. Even though Marcus didn’t grow up on a farm, he’s always felt very at home embodying cowboys.

“I jump at any opportunity to wear a cowboy hat,” he says. “Also, right and wrong are very clear to [Warren] and I think it alienates him, which I find to be an interesting character path.”

As for the path his own career has taken, there are a few stones that are still unturned.  Although he’s had the opportunity to work in a variety of acting styles and with various actors, Marcus is looking elsewhere for his next accomplishment.

“I'd like to work with directors that have mastered certain genres. Specifically, a P.T. Anderson drama, a Judd Apatow comedy or a Christopher Nolan thriller,” confesses Marcus. “I would love to work on anything by David Fincher, or the king, Martin Scorsese. 

Marcus is the first to admit that what attracted him to acting isn’t what kept him in the business. The lifestyle—or perceived lifestyle—of being “rich and famous” looked pretty tempting to him as a newly graduated, teenage boy. However, once he started practicing his craft and really falling in love with the industry, he saw how many actors suffer through the hardships of the business each day.

“I discovered how thankless and difficult the lives of 99% of actors out there really are, and that the only fuel that will keep you pushing through is an unrelenting need to tell stories.”

Nowadays, with fame & fortune in the background, Marcus aims to focus his energy into examining human interactions and recreating those experiences for audiences to interpret, as they will. It’s what keeps him perfecting his artistry—because ultimately, that’s what it is: art. Whether it’s on stage, in a movie or on a TV screen.

“One of the reasons this job interests me is because I'm able to study and understand different professions, perspectives on life, and areas where a character may have grown up,” says Marcus. “I want to know as much as I can about as many different types of people before it’s all over.”

However, Marcus’ career is not even close to being over. His relatable presence, charm and overall good looks have been a huge leg-up in an industry that’s swarming with new talent, aching for a spot in front of the camera. Yet, it’s his drive and passion for his career that gives him the true advantage.

Above all, between fans, films and frantic schedules, Marcus Rosner is still just a self-confessed normal guy, trying to get by and figure it all out. And we’re happy to be along for the ride.   

This interview with Marcus Rosner was written by Melina Morry and appeared in the spring/summer 2018 issue of Chloe Magazine. Read more articles by Melina Morry here.