ENTERTAINMENT
Spurred by that unknown force known as curiosity , he ‘ followed the white rabbit ’.
But , he was a cautious , prudent man , and so he reached for this new branch cautiously , clinging to his PI job in the hopes of testing the waters without having to jump in .
“ Shucks !” – turns out he wouldn ’ t be able to do both . The days that he was required for the new acting opportunity were going to conflict with his PI job .
Oh well , guess its back to that familiar tree . That ’ s “ fine ” he thought .
Well , Marino , the universe did not think that was fine : “ Whoa ! I saw you reach for that branch . Hmm ... I ’ ll just cancel that PI job for you .”
And so be it . With that obstacle gone , he called casting back up and was put on the show as a background paramedic ( because by that point , all the police officer positions were taken )
The pilot for “ Trauma ” was a success ; he was called back to be on the show in the background , eventually “ noticed ”, plucked , and put in the foreground .
And given lines . And then more lines . And support from other actors . And then a lead character in a television series . All that after being a sheriff .
“ I absolutely love acting .” he says . He has no memorable moments of being a sheriff , even after 17 years of being on the force .
Nevertheless , perhaps you can and should never fully shed a past life .
As the lead actor on Homicide Hunter , he plays , not a ballet dancer or a clown . No , he plays a detective . The difference , however , is that instead of shaking down people who need more help than jail-time , he gets to tell the stories of people who are part of the criminal process – stories of both the victims , and the wrong-doers . It ’ s no small feat .
After all , he belonged to a world of people who unintentionally or intentionally , knowingly or unknowingly , hurt people they should be helping ; people who undoubtedly become embittered by the contrast of their idealized view of police-work , against the realities of their own fragile moral framework , and those of the organizations and structures they work for . He saw that world for what it was and then left , went with the flow , finding himself in a world of people who act fake to tell a story that is more real and purposive than the idealized versions around them . When you think it about , Marino ’ s story is full of symbolism .
And make no mistake – Homicide Hunter is one of the most realistic crime shows out there , which is why it has gained so much popularity .
Marino explained that because the show is based on real life cases , the people who actually lived through those situations are part of the audience , part of the process . Friends and family of people who have been murdered , and who have been imprisoned . They are there to help the actors tell their story . They ’ ve suffered , cried , feared , regretted , raged , and lamented . Surely , no amount of adjectives can adequately capture the range of emotions that beset the survivors of a crime and the criminal justice system .
He aptly explained in no uncertain terms , that because of this key distinguishing feature of the show , they all treat their jobs , their roles , with a certain degree of reverence , acknowledging that what is happening on set is a reenactment of something that deeply and irrevocably changed people ’ s lives – and they will be reliving it with you .
That is , I have no doubt , part of what Marino likes about the show – the fact that it is real , it has depth . Purposive poignancy .
Nevertheless , unshackled from his previous life as a sheriff , and propelled into a life of recognizable fame , he still charmingly , but unsurprisingly says : I am just a normal guy .
Indeed , but that ’ s what makes you and your life so interesting .
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Fall 2016 1961 Magazine