Mark's Bio

ALBUQUERQUE (KASA) - Mark Underwood has served as our station’s Face of FOX for the last year here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Aside from his playful, easygoing attitude he exhibits great skill in his creative works. Outside the studio he is heavily involved with his community, assisting in organizing as well as participating in many major events. You can spot him frequently out and about all over the city and state, since he leads a rather exciting social life. He has proved to be a great resource to our station and we hope he will continue to keep up the hard work. If you spot him in your area, be sure to stop and talk with him. He is always open to conversation. That’s lucky for us because we had a chance to sit down with this fox to discuss his time at the station. Everything from his friends, experiences coping with the public eye and a few of his favorite things are revealed here. Be sure to check it out.

Hey Mark. Thanks for taking the time to tell us a bit about who you are. So, who are you?

I suppose I should start at the beginning, like with any story, with my birth. I was born here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I grew up with two rather amazing parents and a handful of older brothers. I was a regular troublemaker in my neighborhood as well as at school. I was active in all types of sports through my childhood and teen years. I eventually graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2007 with a degree in marketing and finances. I then followed up with a series of jobs that I absolutely despised until I found this one here at FOX

Well tell us a bit about your place here as the Face of FOX.

Honestly, best job I have ever had. I remember graduating college and thinking that there needs to be something better in life than sitting in a cubicle. I never thought there was anything wrong with that, but I just knew it was not the life for me. Fortunately, I stumbled across a contest for the Face of FOX and the rest is history. I love it here. I’m learning a lot, I get to work in front of the camera, and I’m meeting some really great people.

Did you ever consider working in television when you were in college?

Not at all! I just never considered it. I always looked at the TV world like some untouchable realm. Then again, I was rather naïve to career options and I never considered what it would take to actually make it in a business like this one. This was certainly a crash course, but I now have a better idea.

And what do you think it takes?

Hard work, dedication to your craft, and a lot of courage. Working in television introduces you to some really interesting pressures. Fortunately, I can say that in order to be successful you really have to go for it. No matter how scary it gets.

So you really had to face a lot of your fears, I imagine.

 I did. I really did, but after a while you learn to relax and just be yourself. If people don’t like you, that’s okay. Not everyone will. In the mean time you learn to surround yourself with people that continue to cheer you on and find understanding that a job like this is going to be subject to criticism. There’s no getting around that. It’s just how you deal with it that counts.

How did you?

Well I used to feel really bad when people were negative. People tell me I will never 'make it', what ever that means. The trick is simply to learn from it. It’s a game of perseverance. You just have to roll with it.

Let me ask you this: When you became ‘The Face’ how did that affect your relationship with your friends?

Well, to be honest, it didn’t change much. By that time all my friends had known me for years before I became ‘The Face’. I think they get a big kick out of seeing me on TV, but they still view me the same way.The title of Face of FOX didn’t raise me up on some untouchable pedestal. I’m still very much me. With my friends, that’s more than enough.

Do you have a motto/ advice you live by?

My favorite motto would be from James Dean. He said, ‘Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.’ I always liked how he saw life as truly finite. It could be over tomorrow for all we know. I make a point of taking chances in life.

Nice. Well on a lighter note, let’s go into a few quick questions to wrap up. Mark, what are five things you can’t live without?

My friends and family, my favorite pair of jeans, my cell phone and a serving of green chili.

Your Favorite hot spots?

The Anodyne bar downtown and the Uptown Shopping Center.

Most embarrassing moment?

When I got caught reading Twilight.

Favorite New Mexico Sports Team?

The Duke City Roller Derby Girls.

Five years from now you will be…?

I have no idea, honestly. Things I planned to happen never did. Things that I never imagined came to be. I may be in Hollywood; I may be flipping burgers in Denmark. Only time will tell. Fate is a funny thing.