Currently, there are three original episodic series airing on the Hallmark Channel, and Chesapeake Shores happens to be one of those. In light of the fact that the cast and crew are busy shooting season three which will air later this year, I had the marvelous opportunity of interviewing Jerry Trimble whose character, Mark Hall, first appeared last season. Even though his character may not have always been well-liked by the fans, he has assured us that we have not seen the last of his character. 

RH: Please tell us some about your martial arts training and how that has had an impact on your life and career.

JT: First off, thank you so much, Ruth, for the interview. I know It’s taken us a while for us to do it, but here we are. Better late than never. I hope your readers enjoy it.

My martial arts training began at the age of twelve. As a kid, from Newport, Kentucky I was bullied on a regular basis. After being bullied for the last time, I ran away from home. While en route, I decided to stop at the movie theater to see Bruce Lee in Chinese Connection. Not knowing who he was at the time, I was in for a big surprise.

When Bruce Lee jumped onto the screen, something sparked in me that I never felt before, and it felt good. My life was about to change forever. With a renewed sense of purpose, I went back home, asked my dad if I could join karate to which he laughed and said, “No! You quit at everything you start.” He was right. I did quit everything I started. I was a quitter, and the haters were winning. But I remembered hearing, Earl Nightingale, quote Napoleon Hill, “What you think you become.” And I wanted to become Bruce Lee, so I went to the bookstore and bought every martial arts magazine I could buy and started practicing via the magazine master.

For my thirteenth Birthday, my parents enrolled me in a Taekwon-Do school. I trained six days a week, I began competing and became the number one teenage fighter in the Midwest, United States. I received my black belt in eighteen months. Went on to fight professionally, winning the Kentucky, Georgia, Southeast, U.S. and Two-World Championships and rated as one of the fastest kickers in the world. And, I’ve never been bullied again. I use what I learned in the martial arts to pursue my goals and dreams. The martial arts empowered me to get out of my comfort zone and live my dreams.

Why did you decide to become an actor and what kind of training have you had?

After successfully, defending my world title for four years, I wanted something more. At twenty-eight years old, I retired from the ring, sold everything I owned and moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue my dream as an actor.

I’ve studied with many teachers in Los Angeles and Vancouver, including, Milton Katslesa, Jeffry Tambor, Bryan Cranston, Benjamin Ratner and more, along with my real life experiences as my best teacher. As with anything You have to keep training, keep your craft sharp. Stay busy. Keep investing in yourself. Give back, share what you got and keep learning. If better is possible, why settle for good?

What do you consider your first acting credit and what are your memories of that?

My first two auditions I went on in the same week, I booked both roles as the lead villain. My first film was The Master with Jet Li, directed by Tsui Hark. It was crazy. I’m the lead heavy, with no experience on a film set. I jumped right in. It was a lot of work, everything was new to me, but I loved it and loved the challenge.

This was Jet Li’s first American film, so he didn’t speak much English. Communication was interesting. The stunt team on this film was one of the toughest crews I’ve ever worked with.

Hallmark audiences saw you first either on Signed, Sealed, Delivered in the episode “Soulmates” then When Sparks Fly. What do you remember about working on these, and what did you enjoy about your role?

It was Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Jackie Lind casting. I actually read for the creator, Martha Williamson, which was pretty cool.

The character I played was Hoke Carey, a good ole cowboy. We shot at the Virtue Ranch. Thank You, Danny Virtue. What a gorgeous place to shoot with the most beautiful horses.

When Sparks Fly was after that. It was a good time, playing Chef Lew. Watching all the cooking shows, finally paid off. Lol.

I think I first really noticed you on the Lifetime film Mother of All Lies (mainly because you played your part so convincingly). What did you enjoy most about that role and on-set experience?

I want to thank you, Ruth, for the nice review you did on the film. Much appreciated.

Carl, was a very bad man, a far cry from who I am. I love playing roles so far from who I am as a person. I was able to channel some things from the eighties to bring into this character. I loved working with the director, Monika Mitchell. I’ve worked with her a few times and have to say, the caring and collaboration she brings to a film are wonderful. Monika Mithcell is one of my favorite directors to work with.

You’ve also been seen on The Flash, iZombie, and Supernatural. Anything stands out from any of these roles?

Guest starring on The Flash and iZombie was a blessing to work on.

My favorite of the three to work on was Supernatural, guest star, playing, Ramiel, Prince of Hell. What a juicy role. Ramiel was the best of these three bad guys I’ve played. He was a badass yellow-eyed demon. Working with director, Richard Speight, Jr. was a blast. He’s an actor, so he works well with actors to help them bring out their best on-screen. Ramiel was such a pleasure to play because I got to do the fighting; and for me, to do acting and fighting on-screen is the best I could ask for.

I have to ask about your experience on Firehouse Christmas since I am such a fan of that film. I think that may have been your first Christmas film. What was that experience like? Any special memories?

Yes, that was my first Christmas film. The actor who was supposed to play Chief Taylor, for some reason, backed out a week before the shoot. The casting director called my agent, asked to see my reel and booked me from my reel. I jumped in with a couple of days later to play Chief Taylor. Felt like a kid, riding around in a fire truck. That’s why acting is so much fun; you get to be someone else. Firefighters are everyday heroes.

Hallmark viewers know you the most from Chesapeake Shores as Mark Hall. How did you get involved with the series? What do you enjoy most about playing your role? What has your experience been like with the cast and crew?

I love Chesapeake Shores. Mark Hall, which is Hallmark backward, pretty cool. I auditioned for the role of Mark Hall and was told he was only supposed to be in one episode. Executive producer, Dan Paulson, said they loved what I brought to the character so much, they just had to bring me back. I was pretty grateful. Mark Hall is the Nashville music producer representing the Trace Riley (Jesse Metcalfe) Band. A straight up kinda guy, no BS about him. I have a lot in common with Mark Hall. I was able to bring some of the Southern into him. The cast and crew are so lovely to work with. It’s like one big family; everyone is so grateful to be working on the show.

As Chesapeake Shores has been officially renewed for season three if your character does appear to be coming back, what do you hope for Mark?

I would like to see Mark Hall be more of a mentor and bring out the best in the Trace Riley band. The music business is a tough business; it would be cool to show the audience a bit of how tough it can be and what goes on behind the scenes. But, maybe that might be too much for Hallmark.

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

Guest Starring on a Netflix original series, Green Beret’s Guide to Surviving the Apocalypse A show created by army vets, Shawn Vance and Daril Fannin; Executive produced by Matt Damon.

Laying the groundwork for lots of other things. Fingers crossed.

Any writing/directing/producing in the works?

Working on a couple of projects with my father in Law, Micky Dolenz (Monkees) We’re shopping a few projects around.

Just trying to stay busy and make things happen. Writing. Writing and more writing.

When you are not working, what do you like to do in your free time?

Lol. I’m Always working. Working on my scripts, my book (self-help book for teens). Training. Challenging myself. Teaching private martial arts and self-defense classes. Working with kids as a youth speaker. Trying to be better than I was yesterday. Dabling into cooking. Since I’ve become Vegan, I’m trying to ramp up my meals to keep them tasty and interesting. Love going back to our place in Los Angeles off and on. Go back to Kentucky every chance I get to see the family. I Miss my family.

I have an immense measure of admiration for actors like Jerry, who practice their craft seriously, proceed to train professionally and personally, give back to the community, and above all, portray a wide variety of roles, whether unsavory or heroic. Jerry is one who is a self-proclaimed workaholic, and the fact that he is most content when working and challenging himself is an attribute I value and respect. For Jerry, his work is his passion that fuels both his soul and spirit and we viewers are the benefactors of his dedication to superior quality and dynamic portrayals. Additionally, the fact that he is courteous to his fans and supporters and contributes in countless ways through his motivational speaking and more demonstrates the genuine character Jerry possesses. In a business where people don’t always see the importance of their reputations amongst their fans, it’s refreshing to see someone like Jerry who is so authentic and charitable.

Accordingly, I hope that everyone watches out for the return of Chesapeake Shores later on this year on the Hallmark Channel. In fact, while you’re waiting, you can check out the first two seasons available on a variety of streaming services. I would also invite all of my readers to check out each of Jerry’s links below and follow him where applicable. In a frenetic world of actors who are often either egocentric, superficial, or tentatively engaged, it’s definitely appealing to find an actor like Jerry who immerses his quintessence into every role he is granted. While he may never live the life of the rich and famous, the fact that he continues getting cast in roles that truly resonate with others and matter to him personally is something that will keep him on my short list of actors whom I will support unconditionally.

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