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Mark Corwin Obituary
Mark Robert Corwin died peacefully at home in Studio City on July 25, 2013 with his family by his side. He was 65 years old.
Mark was a television professional for 40 years and Director of the popular game show "Wheel of Fortune." He directed over 2,000 episodes of the long-running show and won a Daytime Emmy for his work.
A longtime Assistant Director on "Wheel," Mark took over the reins as Director when Dick Carson, brother of Johnny, retired from the post in 1999. Mark's other network shows include "Hollywood Squares," "Password Plus," "The New High Rollers," "Card Sharks" and "Jeopardy!"
He grew up in the TV business, and fondly remembered its early days when his father, Maurice J. "Bob" Corwin, worked at NBC as a studio executive in the 50's. NBC's Hollywood Studios were then located at Sunset and Vine. "That was a great, swingin' corner," he recalled with enthusiasm. "Across the street was a men's store called Sy Devore that had a barbershop in the basement, and on Saturdays my father would take me there to get a haircut with him. Then we'd go across the street and see Roy Rogers, who was doing his show there."
Mark attended Granada Hills High School and the University of Arizona, earning a BA in History. After college, he enlisted in the army, rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant 2nd Class. In 1973, during a summer job at NBC, Corwin earned his DGA card. He worked as a stage manager on sports and game shows; then moved into AD work. He began working "Wheel" on a freelance basis in 1975. The show yielded not only a career but a family - he met his wife, Robin Kenner, when she sat next to him in the edit bay as a PA.
Some of his favorite hobbies were golf, baseball, the music of Frank Sinatra and opera. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family and his career, and for his incredible sense of humor. He was a mentor and friend to many and leaves a legacy to all who knew him.
Mark is survived by his wife, Robin; daughter, Chloe; son, Michael; mother, Paula; brother, Stephen; and sisters, Diane and Wendy.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, August 15 at Forest Lawn/Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90068, 888-204-3131. Flowers may be received at Forest Lawn on the day of the service; or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Mark's favorite charities: DonorsChoose.org, Doctors Without Borders or Disabled American Veterans.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark Corwin
Sponsored by Diane Corwin.
Mark with his kids, Chloe & Michael on the set of Wheel of Fortune 2012
Corwin Diane
September 8, 2014
Mark & Robin 1975
Diane Corwin
September 7, 2014
Chris Hinkle
April 11, 2014
Mark and I served together at Ft Lewis, WA, and drank many Jack Daniels Black on the rocks at the officer's club. I'm sorry that we never re-established contact after I left for Vietnam. We had a lot of good times together.
[email protected]
Trudy Abell (Smolens)
October 27, 2013
My heart is filled with sadness upon learning of Marks cancer and death. I knew Mark in elementary school in Granada
Hills. While that was some time ago I considered him my friend and remembered where he sat in class. He had thick black hair and a warmth that was rare for one so young. I saw him at a high school reunion and he mentioned he worked in tv. Quite the modest one. My condolences to his family and tv friends. Mark was a special man.
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C. Davey Utter
August 18, 2013
And now for something just a little bit different. At the reception, following the memorial, I spoke briefly with Chloe who assured me that she would make it a life goal to preserve Dear Mark's offbeat, irreverent, and frequently ribald, sense of humor...I was relieved to say the very least!
One of my most vivid memories of that humor goes back many years, back when Mark's father was a big network executive at NBC, to the BOC (Broadcast Operations Control) area, where several of us were fulfilling our appointed tasks, making sure that things at The Network went as expected on the air.
Mark was standing just outside the announcers' booth and as Eddie King was about to go live to air Mark dropped his pants and pressed his bare posterior against the announce booth window, causing poor Eddie to completely blow the tag he was supposed to be reading; all that went out over the air was Eddie's helpless laughter!
Mark pulled up his trousers, looked around BOC at the rest of us, who were admittedly stunned by his callous disregard for the sacred on-air operation of the number one TV network in America, and with a devilish gleam in his eye, and that maniacal laugh of his, yelled, "What are ya' gonna do, tell my Daddy?"
How I loved this man! He brightened every room he walked into, and every life he touched, and it was my great honor to have known him. We were just kids back then, we got fat, we got grey, and we got old, but you, dear friend, did not get old enough.
Susan Tepper-McKenzie
August 17, 2013
Mark and I were friends and neighbors when we attended the University of Arizona. He was so kind to my roommates and me..and such an interesting, adorable guy. It was obvious even that many years ago that nothing was ever as important to Mark as family. My deepest sympathies to his loved ones for his loss.
Erica Zaffarano
August 17, 2013
Such a lovely man, a loving person gone way too early. He is sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know and work with him. Mark, you were simply the best. Robin, Chloe and Michael, may your sadness be eased knowing that Mark left so many with lives enriched by his friendship.
Randy West
August 16, 2013
It was through our collaboration writing and producing a memorial video for dear Charlie O. that I came to know you, Mark. I knew instantly that I was working with and coming to know a passionate professional with high standards. I soon learned that you infused your work and your relationships with incredible warmth, wit and joy. I only wish that our paths had crossed many years earlier so that I could have learned more from you while enjoying your boundless lust for life. You will be missed as your family, co-workers and friends carry you in their hearts forever.
Sony Holland
August 16, 2013
My husband, Jerry, and I met Mark and the crew at Ghirardelli Square ten years ago. I was busking and he came over and introduced himself. Mark and Robin came to many of our shows to show their support. Jerry and I are so fortunate to have known Mark and we felt all the love at his memorial yesterday. Blessings and condolences to Robin and all of Mark's family.
Bente Christensen
August 15, 2013
My first day in TV was at NBC on Wheel of Fortune... Mark was stage manager and made me laugh and put me at ease... Loved his humor and him ever since.... He's going to be missed by so many... God bless his family and his family of co- workers ..
Maura Soden
August 14, 2013
To know Mark was to love him. I was spoiled to have worked with him early on in my career as I quickly learned few would ever reach the bar he had set both as a person and a professional. One of the best things Mark ever said, when so many took themselves or the jobs too seriously was; "It's not my wife and it's not my life". Thank you for your wise perspective, your wonderful laugh and special friendship, Mark. You will be missed! Love and condolences to Robin and the family.
Terri, Al, Brandon & Brittany Mazal
August 11, 2013
Dear Cousin Mark, Keep on directing from Heaven's view & send our love to all our family by your side now. We will miss you, until we meet again! Cousins, Terri, Al, Brandon & Brittany xxxx
Fran Calderone
August 11, 2013
I was honored and blessed to count Mark as an NBC co-worker and more importantly a good friend for 35 years...I will miss his loyalty and good humor. The world is just a little sadder without him.
Harvey Soolman
August 11, 2013
My cousin was a funny, classy guy and will be missed by all. Love and condolences to my California family.
Ellen O'Donnell
August 11, 2013
My dear Mr. Corwin....a friend like no other. He was always there for me and will be in my heart forever.
Shelley and Tom Hanrahan
August 11, 2013
Thoughts of love and sympathy to my dear Aunt Paula and cousins.
Robert Ennis
August 11, 2013
Mark was a wonderful teacher - always helping staff and crew members to do their job better - and a great personal friend who I will miss terribly. He was one of the most generous people that I have ever met. He is one of the few people that I have known who leaves behind a true legacy. He was one-of-a-kind and we are unlikely to see another with such a big personality pass our way again.
Diane Farrell
August 11, 2013
Mark~ I feel blessed to have known you. As a friend, a director, and a man of vision - you taught me that our instincts are always right. That having confidence in ourselves, and our abilities, is not about arrogance and ego, but instead about taking pride in what our mentors have taught us, and honoring THEM through our professional, and personal, accomplishments.
On this earth, it is rare to know someone who's 'passion for perfection' is expressed through a kind and gentle spirit. Your kindness, and gentle spirit, has always encouraged others to seek out their personal best. For that, I will always honor what you've taught me.
Wheel will never be the same without you, but know that your legacy will always be remembered by those who, not only worked on the show with you, but, those viewers who've watched and appreciated the evolution of Wheel throughout the ''Corwin years'....
Dear Michael and Chloe - please know that your father loved you dearly and never failed to express his sense of pride, and love, for both of you. And Robin, you were always his balance, you kept him grounded, his love for you was evident in his eyes whenever he talked about you.
Mark's sense of humor, grace of nature, loyalty to those he cared for, and amazing talents will forever be missed - but, not forgotten. Rest in peace my dear friend....
With love and sincere gratitude for the wonderful years of friendship that we shared,
Diane
Diane Corwin
August 11, 2013
You're forever in my heart, sweet brother.
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