Marvel’s Demolition Man – a Savannah Icon

 By Gail Mihalik

If you've been around Savannah in the last few years, you've probably seen local actor William Mark McCullough. A Savannah native, Mark has worked hard to develop his talents, skills, and reputation as a prolific actor. From gracing local productions to appearing alongside Hollywood heavyweights, his journey is a testament to perseverance and authenticity. We are honored to get an in-depth look at the man behind the intense characters who has never forgotten his Savannah roots.

I recently spent some time with Mark, learning about his life's adventures with his childhood friends and family. He shared how he was motivated to move from a law career to acting, restructuring his whole personality to gain roles in the industry. Through it all, he remains thankful for his experiences and the backing of friends and family. Mark is a kind gentleman who portrays some of life's evil dudes.

Those Younger Years

Brought up in the surrounding area of Savannah, Mark lived a very simple life with his mom and siblings, moving around to multiple trailer parks. With his parents separated, he spent time between the two, learning two very different ways of growing up. His mom was a very protective soul, always teaching right from wrong and ensuring her children were cared for and safe. Dad taught life lessons and kept the boyhood adventures alive. Mark said his mom would have lost her mind "if she knew some things." Mark and his dad stuck together. With mom's upbringing, Mark became a true Southern gentleman, a kind soul keeping his priorities in line.

His favorite boyhood memories are of his five brothers and four sisters heading out for the day to play and just have fun in the neighborhood. Imagination was the name of the game for these kids. Many days, he and his friends would be out enjoying the day, using their imaginations and creating adventures from dawn to dusk.

After high school, Mark attended Mercer University to study political science. He needed to pick an elective in art; his choices were limited: art history or acting. With much reluctance, Mark ended up choosing to act. His knowledge of art and colors was limited, so he chose acting as the lesser of two evils. With much surprise, Mark found out in his first acting class that it was his hidden gem. He read his first monologue and felt a fire in his soul, wanting to continue to perfect this new hidden talent. After graduating from Mercer University with a BA in theater and political theory, Mark went on to American University in Washington, DC, to gain a JD and Juris Doctor degree, which enabled him to work as a prosecutor on Capitol Hill. He felt his acting background in the courtroom was beneficial. He honed his acting skills and craft in the courtroom, but somehow, he felt it wasn't enough.

The Path to Performance

After high school, Mark attended Mercer University to study political science. When faced with choosing an art elective, his options were limited: art history or acting. With reluctance, he chose acting, viewing it as the lesser of two evils given his limited knowledge of art. Surprisingly, his first acting class revealed a hidden talent. After performing his first monologue, he felt a fire in his soul that demanded to be nurtured. Following his BA in theater and political theory from Mercer University, Mark pursued a JD at American University in Washington, DC. As a Capitol Hill prosecutor, he found his acting skills beneficial, but something was still missing.

Time for Reflection and Moving On

A serious accident in Nicaragua gave Mark five weeks to reflect on his life, helping him realize what was missing. Though he enjoyed law, his passion for acting couldn't be ignored. Following his heart, he packed up and headed to Los Angeles, beginning what he now calls "The Ramen Noodle Years."

The LA Learning Curve

Initially, Mark struggled without proper industry knowledge or direction. Competing among thousands of aspiring actors made landing roles particularly challenging. "One of the many mistakes," he admits, was approaching film auditions with his theater training. He learned that while theater requires projecting energy to the back of the room, camera acting demands subtle, natural communication – "being real in the moment without performing." 

An eye-opening experience came during one of his acting classes. Paired with a classmate for a public exercise, Mark's partner asked strangers to circle adjectives that described him. The results were unanimous – people saw him as "the Bad Guy." Words like "notorious," "tense," and "violent" consistently appeared. This revelation led to a complete rebranding, from his headshot to his persona, embracing the dark, edgy, tough-guy image. That's when his career truly began to take off.

Breaking Through

After settling in LA and gaining proper training, Mark worked through numerous low-budget productions before landing his first network television role – a one-episode appearance as "T-Shirt Guy" on "Secrets and Lies" in 2015. His persistence paid off as his resume grew to include impressive projects like Ron Howard's "Hillbilly Elegy," where he played a tough Southern cop, and "American Made," appearing alongside Tom Cruise as a gun and drug-smuggling villain. His work with Nicholas Cage in "Arsenal" and recurring roles in television series like "Sweet Magnolias," "The Walking Dead," "Swamp Thing," and "The Gifted" have established him as a versatile character actor.

A Return to Savannah

Mark's recent accomplishments include the award-winning film "A Savannah Haunting," which he wrote, produced, and appeared in. The film tells the story of a California family who moves to Savannah after losing their daughter in a drowning accident, only to encounter unexplained phenomena in their new home. The story draws from true paranormal events that occurred in an actual haunted house on Abercorn Street – now Mark's home city once again.

Giving Back Through Teaching

When not on set, Mark channels his experience into the Savannah Actors Studio, where he mentors upcoming actors. His approach at WorkingActorLab.com goes beyond traditional acting instruction, focusing on real-world industry challenges and business strategy. "You are the owner and operator of your own business," he emphasizes, "marketing a product – YOURSELF." His goal-oriented teaching style includes helping students develop one-month to ten-year plans, with short-term goals always kept close for daily reference.

Marvel Dreams Realized

A major milestone on Mark's vision board materialized when he joined the Marvel universe alongside Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson) as U.S. Navy SEAL Dennis Dunphy. What began as a single-scene role expanded due to Mark's intense performance, with his character becoming known to comic fans as Demolition Man or D-Man. The experience brought unexpected lightness to his typically intense roles, as Mackie's humor kept the cast laughing between takes. "One of the hardest things I had to do while working was to compose myself between takes," Mark recalls.

The Hollywood premiere challenged the naturally reserved actor. Walking the red carpet and navigating the flash of cameras pushed him out of his comfort zone. True to his humble nature, Mark reflects, "I don't need to have the starring role; I enjoy being part of the project to help its success." His quick return to Savannah after the premiere exemplifies his grounded approach to fame. 

Looking Forward

Currently, Mark is developing a television series inspired by his late father's life. The show, a raw, grounded comedy set in a trailer park near Savannah, draws from real people and events from his childhood. As he continues to work, plan, and teach, Mark's authentic approach to both life and acting continues to open new doors in the industry.