 A
Slice of Derby Life
A periodic Derby vignette
The Making of a Soap Opera Star
Markanthony Izzo
Derby is not generally known as a
hotbed for thespians, but at least
one former resident has gone on to win a Tony Award, and some day in
the future we hope that Markanthony Izzo is added to the list. Izzo, a
graduate of Derby High School and a former member of the Board of
Aldermen, is busy pursuing his dream of becoming a professional actor
and has taken some big steps recently culminating with a speaking role
on the CBS soap opera the Guiding Light - but more on that later.
Markanthony displayed his artistic
talents while a student at the Derby Middle School and the Derby High
School from which he graduated in 1976. He participated in the Drama
Club and many of their productions. He was in the pageant that
commemorated Derby's 300th anniversary. During his senior year, he
represented the City of Derby as King of the Barnum Festival. He also
caught the photography bug while at the high school from the late Gene
Biondi that also developed into a lifetime passion. Over the
years, he and his camera have been spotted covering one of the Pope's
visits, the Yale/Harvard football game and the Miss America Pageant.
Many of his pictures have also been featured on Derby web site.
Markanthony makes an early
stage appearance with the Boy Scouts Gang Show!
He worked at Norden Systems in
Norwalk for 11 years and developed his photographic skills and his
interest in community service. He celebrated the 100th anniversary of
Derby's incorporation as a city by being elected to the Board of
Aldermen and he chaired its Recreation Committee. He also served as
Derby's representative to the area tourism districts and was appointed
to the Road Bond Commission.
Mark also became involved with grass roots organizations like P.R.I.D.E. (People Really Interested in Derby’s Excellence),
and the Olde Birmingham Business Association (OBBA) and its’
off shoots, Save Our Sterling (SOS) and The Derby Garden Society.
In 1997, Markanthony was laid off from Norden Systems
in Norwalk after 11 years. At that point he realized that no job
is secure and decided
to try something he always wanted to do - pursue an acting
career. Izzo asked another
local actor Pat DeNegris if he wouldn’t mind pointing him in the
right direction and he did. Izzo had taken some local acting
classes as well as classes at Stage One Theater at Sonalyst
Studios in Waterford and currently there are classes being
offered free of charge at the Ansonia Public Library.
Markanthony has worked on many
films and some TV shows as an “extra”. He also has had some
principle parts in student and independent films but unless you
are into the world of film festivals, you likely would not see
them. Izzo has had some of these projects shown on
Tele-Media's public access station.
One film in which you can see and hear him is Woody
Allen’s film, “Celebrity”. He was asked by Allen to say a line
but was waved off by an assistant. However, if you watch the film you
will hear the line was added in post-production. Izzo worked
two very cold days last year on the War of the Worlds set in
Naugatuck.
Always loyal to
his Derby roots,
Izzo has also encouraged some of the independent
filmmakers to shoot some of their scenes in the Valley. In
one movie, antique car dealer the late Paul Lane, loaned several
antique cars to give an added 1940’s flavor to a scene shot on
Main Street Derby.
 Markanthony
also combines his love of history with acting by playing Lieutenant John Bassett
in the Derby Historical Society's "A Day
in 1762" program fifth grade students. He has also worked on a
variety of TV commercials.
Now back to the Guiding Light.
In 2005, Izzo's career pursuit
took an interesting and exciting turn. In September, 2004 his
sister Jenniegrace Finch who lives in Wyoming with her husband
Ed and their son Mark, wrote a letter to CBS’ Early Show in
response to a segment called “Week of Wishes”. Finch’s
wish for her brother was to have a speaking role on a TV Show
and the wish was granted!
Izzo was "conned" into going to the
CBS studios in New York under the ruse of being a spokesperson
for the "A Day
in 1762" program. CBS Producer Joe Long contacted Derby
Historical Society Executive Director Robert Novak and explained
the plan. Izzo who dresses in Colonial garb during his tours
was told he would be the spokesperson for the group on a segment
on “period actors” since he had “on camera experience”.
After the segment was shot on location at the Humphreys House in
Ansonia, Long suggested that Izzo come to
New York when it was to be aired.
On May 18th, 2005 “a car” was
sent for Izzo and he was put up in a hotel not knowing at the
same time, his sister’s family was being flown in from Wyoming.
The following morning CBS insisted he take the car provided to
the studio - they didn't want to take a chance that he would run into his sister who was walking
to the studio a block away.
The segment began with a quick talk
with Hannah Storm and then the BIG SURPRISE. His sister was led
into the studio where her wish for him was read on National TV.
Not only was Izzo getting a small part on the soap opera, Guiding
Light, but he was also given the opportunity to advance his
acting skills by taking classes at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio
of Acting. Izzo completed his class over the summer and
recently shot the scenes on the Guiding Light.
You can view the segment
on-line at
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/19/earlyshow/series/week_of_wishes/main696425.shtml.
Markanthony appeared in
two episodes of Guiding Light. The first one was shown on
December 7th and the second was seen on the 12th
on CBS. Izzo’s
character’s name was Mr. Pine and he sold Christmas trees on the
show and was onscreen quite a bit.
Izzo said he was extremely grateful
to his sister for helping to push his career forward because as
he says, “ It’s a, 'you never know' kind of business, you never
know who’s watching and thinking they may be able to use you in
their project." As for what’s next, Izzo plans to keep marketing
himself until he can get an agent, because as with any job, you
have to let people know you want work. Izzo is very
grateful to his employers who let him pursue his career. He
said, "It’s not easy for someone to hire a person knowing they
may get that call that will take them away. That’s probably why
you hear people thank so many during awards shows because in the
entertainment business although yes, you need talent to succeed,
in most cases there are so many people that help you
along.”Well,
here's wishing that Markanthony Izzo ends up as derby's next
Tony Award winning actor! This is another in a
periodic series of stories about
people and places that make the City of Derby a special place to live.
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