Mark Mitchell (actor)


Mark Mitchell is an Australian actor, comedian and contemporary artist, best known for his character Con the Fruiterer.

Early life

Mark Mitchell was born in Melbourne. He studied English and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and then completed a Diploma of Education at State College of Victoria Rusden Campus. He taught secondary school English for five years before becoming an advertising copy-writer and then a professional actor.

Career

Mitchell starred in the pioneering sketch comedy show The Eleventh Hour, a predecessor to his hit sketch show The Comedy Company.
He has made many guest appearances on Australian television series such as SeaChange, Neighbours, Something in the Air, Blue Heelers, Prisoner, Dogwoman and Upper Middle Bogan.
He has also starred in children's television programs such as Round the Twist, Lift Off and The Genie From Down Under. He played the part of Chief Quimby in the 2003 film Inspector Gadget 2. He has also lent his voice to the children's animated series Li'l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers and The Flamin' Thongs.
Mitchell voices commercial radio advertising campaigns, playing a dim-witted fool who interviews various people about radio advertising, with amusing consequences resulting from his character's lack of understanding the interviewees.
He also portrayed fictional museum exhibit figure "Max Muck" for some of the video reel and photos used and depicted in the exhibit "The Muck Bunker Storm-Water Experience" at Scienceworks Museum in Melbourne housed in the Spotswood Pumping Station.
He has had supporting lead roles in various US movies made in Australia including The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas and The Strange Case of Shante Keams, and voiced the character of 'Buck Cluck' for the Australian release of Chicken Little.
Mitchell's best known character is Con Dickaletus aka 'Con the Fruiterer' whom he created after being served by two Greek Australian stall holders at Glenferrie Markets in 1984. The character became known nationally from regular appearances in The Comedy Company, for which he also created the character of Con's wife, Marika.