Mark Rendall
Mark Rendall is a Canadian actor and voice artist born on October 21, 1988, in Toronto, Ontario, best known for his roles in film, television, and animation.[1][2] He began his career as a child performer, making his theatrical debut at age 10 in a production of Oliver! directed by Cameron Mackintosh.[1] Rendall gained early prominence in voice acting, notably voicing the titular character Arthur Read in seasons 7 and 8 (2002–2003) of the animated children's series Arthur, succeeding Justin Bradley in the role.[1] His transition to live-action included a breakout performance in the 2004 dark comedy Childstar, directed by Don McKellar, where he starred as a troubled young TV actor, earning critical recognition for his portrayal.[3] Other early film credits include supporting roles in horror thriller 30 Days of Night (2007) as Jake Oleson and the dramedy Charlie Bartlett (2008).[1] In television, Rendall has appeared in series such as Hannibal (2013–2015), Versailles (2015–2018) as Thomas Beaumont, and Departure (2019–2022) as Theo Barker.[1] More recent work includes portraying Elliot in six episodes of the medical drama Transplant (2023) and Roger Stone in the biographical film The Apprentice (2024), alongside Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump.[2] He also recurs as Mr. Kay in the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia (2021–present).[2] Rendall's filmography further highlights leading roles in independent features like Year of the Carnivore (2009) and The Birder (2013).[2]Early life
Family background
Mark Rendall was born on October 21, 1988, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[4][5] He is the youngest of three sons born to Catherine Sachs-Rendall, a watercolor artist, and Henry Rendall, an advertising agent who has operated his own one-man ad agency in Toronto for over 25 years.[6] His two older brothers are David Rendall, also an actor, and Matthew Rendall.[4] Rendall's household observed both Jewish and Christian holidays, reflecting his father's Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and his mother's Christian background with Lithuanian and Irish ancestry.[7][8] This multicultural environment, combined with his parents' creative professions, fostered a family atmosphere that encouraged artistic pursuits from an early age.[6]Acting debut
At the age of ten, Mark Rendall expressed interest in pursuing acting to his parents, who supported his curiosity by arranging an audition opportunity.[9][3] Coinciding with local casting calls in Toronto, Rendall auditioned for Cameron Mackintosh's touring production of Oliver!, securing the role of Spider—one of Fagin's pickpockets—despite having no prior formal training in acting or singing.[1][10] He also served as understudy for the lead role of Oliver during the production's run from 1999 to 2000.[9][11] This debut provided Rendall with his first professional exposure to stage performance, including live audiences and the demands of a touring musical, which laid a foundational influence on his subsequent career development in theater and beyond.[3][4] Rendall later attended the Interact Program at Vaughan Road Academy in Toronto, an arts-focused high school program, where he became close friends with fellow student Elliot Page.[4][11]Career
Live-action roles
Mark Rendall began his live-action career as a child actor, gaining prominence through lead and supporting roles in Canadian and international film and television productions that showcased his versatility in dramatic and genre storytelling.[1] His breakthrough came with the lead role of Taylor Brandon Burns in the 2004 comedy-drama Childstar, directed by Don McKellar, where he portrayed a precocious 12-year-old sitcom star navigating fame and family pressures alongside co-stars Jennifer Jason Leigh and Riccardo Scamarcio.[12][13] That same year, Rendall transitioned to television with the recurring role of Mick Sloane in Season 1 of the Canadian sci-fi series ReGenesis (2004–2005), depicting a troubled teenager grappling with identity issues tied to cloning experiments and seeking validation from scientists.[14] By 2007, at age 18, Rendall took on supporting parts in Hollywood features, including the role of Jake Oleson, a young survivor in the vampire horror film 30 Days of Night, directed by David Slade and starring Josh Hartnett, where his character faces supernatural terror during an Alaskan winter lockdown.[15][16] In the same year, he appeared as Kip Crombwell in the coming-of-age comedy Charlie Bartlett, supporting Anton Yelchin's titular character in a story of high school rebellion and makeshift psychiatry.[17] Rendall continued to build his television profile in the 2010s with recurring roles in international series, including young Abel Gideon in Hannibal (2013–2015), Thomas Beaumont in the historical drama Versailles (2015–2018), and Theo Barker in the mystery thriller Departure (2019–2022).[1] Rendall's later live-action work included the lead role of Jake Roulette in the 2013 Canadian drama Algonquin, directed by Jonathan Hayes, portraying a disillusioned high school teacher reuniting with his estranged father amid personal and familial turmoil in Algonquin Provincial Park.[18][19] More recently, as of 2025, he portrayed Elliot in six episodes of the medical drama Transplant (2023), recurs as Mr. Kay in the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia (2021–present), and had a supporting appearance as political consultant Roger Stone in the 2024 biopic The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi, which chronicles Donald Trump's early career and features Sebastian Stan in the lead.[20][2] Throughout his career, Rendall evolved from prominent child leads in the mid-2000s to more mature supporting roles as an adult, with a notable shift around age 18 from youthful protagonists to complex ensemble characters in genre and dramatic projects, reflecting his growth in physical and emotional performance demands.[1]Voice acting
Mark Rendall began his voice acting career in the early 2000s with a prominent role as Arthur Read in the animated children's series Arthur, voicing the titular aardvark for seasons 7 and 8 from 2002 to 2003, succeeding Justin Bradley who had voiced the character in season 6.[7] This role marked Rendall's entry into animation, where he provided the voice for 20 episodes, contributing to the series' ongoing popularity as an educational program that emphasized themes of friendship and everyday challenges for young audiences. His performance as Arthur helped maintain the character's relatable, youthful tone during a period of cast transitions in the long-running PBS Kids production.[21] In 2005, Rendall took on the role of Jester, a mischievous 14-year-old court jester, in the Canadian-New Zealand co-produced CGI animated series Jane and the Dragon, which aired for two seasons through 2006. He voiced the character across all 26 episodes, portraying Jester as a clever and acrobatic sidekick to the protagonist Jane, adding humor and levity to the medieval fantasy setting that explored themes of adventure and personal growth.[22] The series, broadcast on networks like YTV in Canada, highlighted Rendall's ability to infuse energy and wit into supporting animated characters, contributing to its appeal as a family-friendly show with strong production values from Nelvana and Weta Workshop.[23] Rendall earned recognition for his voice work as Bastian Balthazar Bux in the 2001 Canadian television series Tales from the Neverending Story (13 episodes), adapting Michael Ende's fantasy novel. Voicing the imaginative young protagonist who enters the magical world of Fantasia, Rendall's performance captured Bastian's emotional journey from grief to heroism, central to the story's exploration of creativity and loss.[24] For this role, he received a 2002 Gemini Award nomination for Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, underscoring his early impact in youth-oriented voice acting.[25] Throughout the early 2000s, Rendall contributed to several other Canadian animated productions in minor roles, including Joe in Time Warp Trio (2005–2006), a time-travel adventure series where he voiced one of the three young protagonists navigating historical eras.[26] He also provided voices for characters such as Todd in Wayside (2007), various kids in Franny's Feet (2003–2005), and additional parts in shows like The Save-Ums! and King, often appearing in single episodes or short arcs that showcased his versatility in ensemble casts for children's programming.[7] These roles, primarily from Toronto-based studios like Nelvana, allowed Rendall to build experience in quick character modulation and ensemble dynamics within the Canadian animation industry.[27] As Rendall aged from child to teen performer during this period—voicing Arthur at around 13–14 years old and Jester at 16–17—he navigated the natural voice changes associated with puberty, a common challenge in long-running animated series that required recasting to preserve character consistency, as evidenced by Arthur's multiple lead voice actors over its run.[21] His ability to adapt to teen-oriented characters like Jester demonstrated resilience in maintaining youthful yet maturing vocal tones amid these transitions.[7]Music contributions
In 2021, Mark Rendall collaborated with longtime friend and fellow actor Elliot Page on a musical project under the duo name Mark and Elliot, marking Rendall's notable entry into music creation beyond his acting career.[28][29] The self-titled EP, consisting of three tracks, was released digitally for free on Bandcamp on August 27, 2021, embracing a lo-fi bedroom pop style with indie and folk influences, characterized by simple instrumentation including the omnichord.[30][28][31] Rendall served as co-writer, vocalist, and contributor to the music and lyrics across the EP, sharing these roles equally with Page in a DIY production that evokes summer nostalgia and lighthearted joy amid introspection.[30][28] The tracks include "One Way Track," a jaunty duet with upbeat rhythms suitable for road trips; "Desert Holes," a brooding piece featuring haunting vocals and themes of lost love, highlighted by the lyric "Am I just another you used to love?"; and "Summer Summer," a repetitive, happy anthem with twangy elements ideal for communal singing.[28][29] This collaboration represents Rendall's music as a creative outlet complementary to his acting pursuits, with no full-length albums released but rather focused on intimate digital singles and EPs that prioritize personal expression over commercial expansion.[28][31] As of November 2025, the project has not involved major public performances or tours, remaining a low-key endeavor accessible primarily through online platforms.[28][29]Notable works
Film appearances
Mark Rendall's breakthrough in live-action roles came with his lead performance in the 2004 film Childstar. His feature film appearances began prominently with Childstar (2004), where he played Taylor Brandon Burns, a young actor grappling with fame and personal turmoil in a satirical take on Hollywood's underbelly. In 30 Days of Night (2007), Rendall portrayed Jake Oleson, the teenage son of a sheriff facing a vampire siege in an isolated Alaskan town during endless winter darkness.[15] That same year, in Charlie Bartlett (2007), he appeared as Kip Crombwell, a fellow student navigating the social dynamics of high school alongside the protagonist's entrepreneurial schemes. Rendall took a lead role in Year of the Carnivore (2009) as Eugene, a socially awkward teen entangled in the romantic and identity struggles of his peers in a coming-of-age dark comedy. He starred as Ben in The Birder (2013), a slacker assisting a displaced ornithologist in a quirky revenge plot against a rival within the birdwatching community.[32] In Algonquin (2013), Rendall led as Jake Roulette, a high school teacher reuniting with his estranged father to complete a travel book amid family revelations.[18] Rendall's later films show a shift toward supporting roles in ensemble pieces, such as his portrayal of Sammy in The Other Half (2016), a drifter complicating a volatile romance marked by mental health challenges. Finally, in The Apprentice (2024), he played Roger Stone, the political operative advising a young Donald Trump in his ascent through New York real estate.[33]Television roles
Mark Rendall began his television career in the early 2000s with roles in made-for-TV movies and episodic series, often portraying troubled or introspective young characters in Canadian productions.[3] His early work built on his stage debut, providing initial exposure in dramatic narratives.[5] One of his breakthrough television roles was the lead in the 2002 TV movie The Interrogation of Michael Crowe, where he portrayed 14-year-old Michael Crowe, a boy wrongfully accused of his sister's murder following intense police interrogation.[34] For this performance, Rendall received an ACTRA Toronto Award nomination for Outstanding Performance - Male in 2004.[25] That same year, he appeared in the Disney Channel TV movie The Scream Team as Ian Carlyle, a teenager dealing with supernatural events in a haunted house.[2] He followed this with a guest appearance in the 2004 episode of Missing as Andrew Bergman, a missing child case subject.[2] Later that year, Rendall landed a recurring role in the first season of the Canadian drama series ReGenesis (2004–2005), appearing in seven episodes as Mick Sloane, a teenager convinced he is a clone amid bio-terrorism investigations.[35] Rendall's subsequent television work included the 2008 CBC miniseries The Trojan Horse, where he played Eric Guthrie across two episodes, depicting a young man uncovering corporate espionage.[2] In 2013, he guest-starred in two episodes of the NBC series Hannibal as Julian, a young associate of a cannibalistic psychiatrist. He then took on a supporting role in season 2 (2017) of the historical drama Versailles, appearing in 8 episodes as Thomas Beaumont, a cunning courtier in the court of Louis XIV.[36][1] After a period focusing more on film projects in the mid-2010s, Rendall returned to television with recurring roles in international series. In Departure (2019), he portrayed Theo Barker in six episodes, a passenger navigating the aftermath of a plane crash.[2] He starred in the 2020 TV movie No Good Deed as Jeremy, a real estate agent entangled in a dark family secret.[37] In 2021, Rendall appeared in three episodes of the Irish series Dead Still as Percy Milsom, an assistant to a forensic photographer in 19th-century Dublin.[38] His role as Elliot in six episodes of the medical drama Transplant (2023) marked a return to Canadian television, playing a young doctor facing ethical dilemmas.[2] In 2025, he recurred as Mr. Kay in 5 episodes of season 3 of the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia.[1] Rendall also made guest appearances in Canadian series such as Murdoch Mysteries (2013, one episode as Jacob Foley), contributing to his portfolio of period and procedural roles up to the mid-2010s.[38] While his television output has been selective in recent years, emphasizing recurring parts over extensive series commitments, it reflects a shift toward more mature, ensemble-driven projects alongside his film work.[3]Voice credits
Mark Rendall began his voice acting career as a child, lending his voice to various animated series produced primarily for Canadian and international audiences. His work often featured young protagonists navigating fantastical or everyday adventures, showcasing his versatile range in portraying curious and relatable characters. Below is a chronological overview of his key voice credits in animation.| Year | Title | Role | Episodes | Character Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–2003 | Arthur | Arthur Read (voice) | 20 | The titular aardvark protagonist, an eight-year-old boy dealing with school, family, and friendships in the suburban town of Elwood City.[39] |
| 2003–2005 | King | Russell Wright (voice) | 39 | A young boy who discovers he can talk to animals after moving to a new home, leading to comedic and adventurous escapades with his pet dog King.[40][41] |
| 2003–2010 | Franny's Feet | Additional voices (e.g., Bart, Jake, Robbie) | 6 | Various child characters in episodic adventures where the young protagonist Franny shrinks to explore the world inside shoes.[42][7] |
| 2005–2006 | Jane and the Dragon | Jester (voice) | 26 | A mischievous 14-year-old court jester in a medieval kingdom, assisting the knight-in-training Jane and her dragon companion in solving mysteries.[43][22] |
| 2005–2006 | Time Warp Trio | Joe Arthur (voice) | 26 | The adventurous leader of a trio of boys who time-travel through history using a magical book, blending humor with educational historical lessons.[44][45] |
| 2007–2008 | Wayside | Todd (voice) | 23 | A new transfer student at the bizarre Wayside School, constantly perplexed by the school's upside-down logic and eccentric classmates on the 30th floor.[46][7] |