Who is Mark Dacascos?

By Amanda Pendolino on August 17th, 2009

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That’s the question on everyone’s lips as cast members for the new season of Dancing with the Stars have been released. A trained martial artist and actor from Honolulu, Dacascos has gained fame as “The Chairman” and host of Food Network’s Iron Chef America. Dancing host Tom Bergeron revealed the list of sixteen celebs on Good Morning America this morning, plus the announcement that in the middle of the season there will be three double-eliminations in a row.

According to his website, 45-year-old Dacascos began studying martial arts at an early age, as his parents are both former national champions and teachers. He attended Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, where he majored in Chinese and drama. He can also speak German.

He was discovered in San Francisco’s Chinatown and began his film and television career as a police cadet on soap General Hospital. He starred in numerous shows and movies over the years, and joined the cast of Iron Chef in 2005. He married actress Julie Condra in 1998 and has one son, Makoa.

Dacascos joins season nine of Dancing with the Stars along with 15 other celebs, including Melissa Joan Hart, Kelly Osbourne and Tom DeLay. The show’s three-night live premiere event begins Monday, September 21 at 8 pm on ABC.