Mark-Paul Gosselaar, born March 1, 1974, in Panorama City, California, is an American actor best known for his role as Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell.
He has appeared in various series, including NYPD Blue, Franklin & Bash, and Mixed-ish, and reprised his iconic role in the 2020 revival of Saved by the Bell.
Gosselaar has been open about his personal life, reflecting on his career and family during recent interviews. He is married to Catriona McGinn and has four children.
Parents
Mark-Paul’s parents are Hans Gosselaar and Paula van den Brink.
Hans, of Dutch-Jewish descent, worked as a plant supervisor, while Paula, of Dutch-Indonesian heritage, was a flight attendant for KLM.
They married and had four children, with Mark-Paul being the youngest.
The family initially lived in the Netherlands before moving to California shortly before his birth in 1974.
Gosselaar’s mother managed his early acting career, but he later decided to part ways with her as his manager at age 1912.
Career
Gosselaar began his acting journey at a young age.
He made his television debut in 1986 with guest appearances on shows such as Highway to Heaven, where he played a small role, and The Twilight Zone, in which he appeared in an episode of the revival of the classic anthology series.
These early roles helped him gain experience and visibility in the industry.
Gosselaar’s breakout role came when he was cast as Zack Morris in the teen sitcom Saved by the Bell.
The show became a cultural phenomenon, known for its humor, relatable characters, and memorable catchphrases.
Gosselaar’s portrayal of the charming and scheming Zack Morris made him a household name and earned him a dedicated fan base.
The success of Saved by the Bell led to several spin-offs, including Saved by the Bell: College Years, which followed the characters into college, and Saved by the Bell: The New Class, a continuation with new characters.
Gosselaar also participated in various reunion specials over the years, including a 2020 revival that brought back many original cast members.
After Saved by the Bell, Gosselaar transitioned into more serious roles.
In the critically acclaimed police procedural drama NYPD Blue, he played Detective John Clark Jr.
His performance was well-received, showcasing his ability to tackle more mature themes and complex characters.
The show was known for its gritty realism and won numerous awards during its run.
Gosselaar starred alongside Breckin Meyer in Franklin & Bash, a legal comedy-drama about two unconventional lawyers.
In recent years, Gosselaar appeared in Mixed-ish, a spin-off of Black-ish, where he played Paul Johnson, navigating life as part of a mixed-race family in the 1980s.
The show explored themes of identity and cultural heritage, resonating with many viewers.
He also reprised his role as Zack Morris in the revival of Saved by the Bell, which introduced a new generation of characters while addressing contemporary issues faced by today’s youth.
The show received positive reviews for its humor and social commentary.
Most recently, Gosselaar stars in Found, a drama series that focuses on missing persons cases, allowing him to further explore dramatic storytelling while engaging with important social issues.
