Iron Chef Chairman Mark Dacasco dons dancing shoes
You’d recognize Mark Dacasco from Iron Chef if you saw him. He has one of those faces that drives people crazy wondering “Where have I seen him before? What’s he from? What’s he in?”
No, he’s not one of the chefs on Iron Chef. He is the guy whose signature show opening involves announcing the show’s secret ingredient (i.e. “Hamburger!!!) and turning it into a battle cry. He has the same passion for secret ingredients that Personal Money Store has for military loans. Now, because of its prime time network status, Mark Dacasco will likely be recognized as “that guy from the Dancing with the Stars 2009 lineup.”
Mark Dacasco, martial artist
Serving as chairman on Iron Chef isn’t Mark Dacasco’s only source of income. His proficiency in martial arts has landed him several acting gigs. He started winning martial arts competitions at the age of 7. He landed the gig as the chairman on Iron Chef thanks to his relationship with the chairman on the original Japanese version of Iron Chef.
The Japanese Iron Chef chairman was Takeshi Kaga, Mark Dacasco’s uncle. Mark Dacasco has been hosting Iron Chef, the American version of course, since 2005. His first appearance on TV was playing a police cadet on “General Hospital.”
Dancing with the Stars
The Dancing with the Stars, 2009 lineup intact, starts on ABC on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. Eastern. A new twist will be introduced this season: There will be three back-to-back double eliminations in the middle of the season this time around.
Mark Dacasco went to Portland State University, where he majored in Chinese and drama. His experience as an actor and his martial arts background will no doubt help him with his role in the Dancing with the Stars 2009 lineup.
Popularity contest
His role on Iron Chef also guarantees him built in fan base, although I’m not sure how much crossover will actually happen. I have always enjoyed Iron Chef and Mark Dacasco’s role, but I highly doubt I’ll be tuning in to Dancing with the Stars, despite the 2009 lineup.
I have never watched Dancing with the Stars before, why would I start now? I think I’ll just stick to watching Iron Chef and call it good.
More on Mark Dacasco
Mark Dacasco, 45, has been married to actress Julie Condra since 1998. He has one son, Makoa, who is 8 and appears to be launching an acting career himself. At the age of 4, Makoa joined both his parents in the movie “Junior Pilot.”
Here’s the list of the rest of the Dancing with the Stars 2009 lineup:
- Melissa Joan Hart
- Macy Gray
- Mya
- Donny Osmond
- Aaron Carter
- Kelly Osbourne
- Michael Irvin
- Natalie Coughlin
- Kathy Ireland
- Chuck Liddell
- Louie Vito
- Debi Mazar
- Ashley Hamilton
- Joanna Krupa
- Tom DeLay
