Mark Frechette
Encyclopedia
Mark Frechette was an American
film actor. He is best known for his lead role in the 1970 film Zabriskie Point
, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni
, in which he was cast despite having no previous acting experience.
He appeared in two other films made in Italy
, Many Wars Ago (Uomini Contro, 1970) and La Grande Scrofa Nera (1971).
He tithed his $60,000 earnings from Zabriskie Point and other films to Mel Lyman
's commune.
Frechette, who had no formal acting experience, was selected from among thousands during a casting process that lasted nearly a year. He was discovered in Boston by Sally Dennison, Antonioni's assistant and casting director, while in the middle of a violent shouting match at a Charles Street bus-stop.
Despite the film being a critical and box office failure, Frechette enjoyed a period of considerable publicity, his face gracing the covers of Look Magazine
in November 1969 and Rolling Stone
magazine on March 7, 1970.
On August 29, 1973, he and two members of the commune attempted to rob the New England Merchant's Bank in the Fort Hill section of Roxbury
, a poor neighborhood of Boston
, Massachusetts
where they had their commune. One of the members of the commune was killed by police and Frechette was arrested and sentenced to the minimum security state prison in Norfolk, Massachusetts
. He died under highly suspicious circumstances during an apparent weightlifting
accident when a 150-pound bar fell on his neck, choking him to death. Prison officials did not suspect foul play; however, questions arose whether Frechette had been suffering from depression
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film actor. He is best known for his lead role in the 1970 film Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point (film)
Zabriskie Point is a 1970 film by Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni, widely noted at the time for its setting in the late 1960s counterculture of the United States...
, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian modernist film director, screenwriter, editor and short story writer.- Personal life :...
, in which he was cast despite having no previous acting experience.
He appeared in two other films made in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Many Wars Ago (Uomini Contro, 1970) and La Grande Scrofa Nera (1971).
He tithed his $60,000 earnings from Zabriskie Point and other films to Mel Lyman
Mel Lyman
Melvin James Lyman was an American cult leader, musician, film maker and writer.-Musician:Lyman grew up in California and Oregon...
's commune.
Frechette, who had no formal acting experience, was selected from among thousands during a casting process that lasted nearly a year. He was discovered in Boston by Sally Dennison, Antonioni's assistant and casting director, while in the middle of a violent shouting match at a Charles Street bus-stop.
Despite the film being a critical and box office failure, Frechette enjoyed a period of considerable publicity, his face gracing the covers of Look Magazine
Look (American magazine)
Look was a bi-weekly, general-interest magazine published in Des Moines, Iowa from 1937 to 1971, with more of an emphasis on photographs than articles...
in November 1969 and Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine on March 7, 1970.
On August 29, 1973, he and two members of the commune attempted to rob the New England Merchant's Bank in the Fort Hill section of Roxbury
Roxbury
Roxbury may refer to:United States*Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts*Roxbury, Connecticut*Roxbury, Kansas*Roxbury, Maine*Roxbury, New Hampshire*Roxbury Township, New Jersey*Roxbury, New York...
, a poor neighborhood of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
where they had their commune. One of the members of the commune was killed by police and Frechette was arrested and sentenced to the minimum security state prison in Norfolk, Massachusetts
Norfolk, Massachusetts
Norfolk is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States with a population of 10,460 people in 2,818 households at the 2000 census. Formerly known as North Wrentham, Norfolk broke away to become an independent town in 1870.-History:...
. He died under highly suspicious circumstances during an apparent weightlifting
Weight training
Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It uses the weight force of gravity to oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction...
accident when a 150-pound bar fell on his neck, choking him to death. Prison officials did not suspect foul play; however, questions arose whether Frechette had been suffering from depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
.
External links
- The Sorry Life & Death of Mark Frechette by DAVE O'BRIAN
- Return to Zabriskie Point: The Mark Frechette and Daria Halprin Story at Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict