Mark Anthony Lacsamana Fernandez was born on January 16, 1979. He is a popular Filipino actor and a TV personality. His parents are action star Rudy Fernandez and actress-politician Alma Moreno. Mark Anthony rose to fame via the famous teen group called “Gwapings,” with Jomari Yllana and Eric Fructuoso. Later they were joined by Jao Mapa. Vandolph Quizon is his half-brother, and Lorna Tolentino is his stepmother. Mark Anthony has a daughter from a deceased girlfriend. He married Melissa Garcia and had two sons.
Mark Anthony appeared in the movies featuring him as a lead star as follows; “Pare Ko,” ‘Mangarap Ka,” and “Matimbang Pa Sa Dugo.” He was nominated as Best Actor and Best Supporting Actors for the three movies in 1996. It was in 1998, that his career became controversial and later flopped because of his personal life. An assault case was filed by an American socialite and the separation between ex-girlfriend actress’ Claudine Barreto greatly affected him. His movies by Regal Films launching him as an action star were “Sonny Segovia; Lumakad Ka Sa Apoy” and “Walang Katumbas Ang Dugo,” flopped at cinemas.
After that, he took a break from showbiz industry and undergone drug rehabilitation following his release in the assault case. Again, he made a comeback via the movie ‘Biyaheng Langit,” and “Dos Ekis,” together with then sexy actresses Joyce Jimenez and Rica Peralejo. Mark Anthony also appeared in the GMA teleseries entitled “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin” with Angelika dela Cruz as her leading lady. Once again in 2003, he took a longer break to undergo rehabilitation from drug addiction. It was in 2005 that he tried returning to showbiz and it was then that he realized he was really made as an actor.
His other TV appearances were in “Impostora,” in 2007, “kamandag” in 2007, “Ako si Kim Samsoon,” in 2008, “Luna Mystika” in 2008 and ‘All About Eve,” in 2009. In “Magpakailanman,” he portrayed a role of Manny Pacquiao. In “Kap’s Amazing Stories Kids Edition,” he had also displayed his hosting talent. Mark is an exclusive artist of GMA, and he is happy despite how many times he failed, they are still ready to help him rise and pick up the pieces where he left. He is still busy with his tapings under GMA Channel 7 with his upcoming projects after the successful TV series “Bukod Kang Pinagpala,” opposite Jenica Garcia, Camille Pratts and Jackie Rice.
His relationship with his wife Melissa is stronger than ever now that he is already a born again Christian like his wife. They had a simple wedding ceremony officiated by Pastor Bernard Marquez under the setting sun. Mark Anthony recalled that it was at a friend’s house that they had first met, and the rest was history. Mark has been ever thankful for the Lord has given him the opportunity to rise again amidst the failures and disappointment he had experienced in life. He was also very grateful for the chance that was given him by GMA who took him back and allowed him to redeem himself.
