Current:Home > FinanceMarc Summers delves into career and life struggles in one-man play, "The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers" -NextGenWealth
Marc Summers delves into career and life struggles in one-man play, "The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers"
View
Date:2025-04-27 12:58:19
Marc Summers, the iconic host of Nickelodeon's "Double Dare" and a familiar face on television for over three decades, is now showcasing his life story in New York City through his one-man play, "The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers."
It is something Summers, 72, thought would never happen. He was nearly out of the entertainment industry after his time with Nickelodeon and Food Network had concluded. (Paramount is the parent company of Nickelodeon and CBS.)
But Summers' path wasn't always a smooth one. He faced significant personal challenges, including early rejections based on his appearance and last name, which was Berkowitz at birth.
"I had an NBC executive say to me once, 'Your nose is too big. And your name, Berkowitz, is too Jewish. Change your name. Get your nose fixed. But until you do that, I'm not gonna hire you,'" he recalled.
Before his television breakthrough, Summers considered leaving the industry altogether.
In 1986, Summers was hired as the host of "Double Dare," a role that would become iconic. A total of 2,000 people auditioned for "Double Dare" in New York and Los Angeles.
Summers admitted he never wanted to work on a kids show, but his approach to hosting the show became a sensation and defined a generation.
"I treated them like they were grownups. And that worked for me," he said.
However, his public persona masked a private battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. He said he had no idea what OCD was, but had been experiencing it since he was six years old.
"I was living this nightmare of making everything perfect and neat," said Summers.
He first spoke openly about it in the early 2000s and discusses it in his one-man play.
His struggle reached a critical point when his wife, Alice, caught him obsessively straightening rug fringes late at night.
"What are you doing?" Summers recalled her asking. "I have no idea," he replied.
Thanks to therapy, Summers has made significant strides in managing his OCD and saved his relationship with his wife. He said he's managed to retrain his brain to avoid intrusive thoughts.
Summers says bringing his play to New York City has been a "dream." Although a portion of his career has played out in front of a live audience, being able to share his story in front of a crowd every night has been rewarding.
"I get choked up about it, because ... I didn't think this could ever happen at this point in my life," said Summers. "I was pretty much out of the business. You know—the Nickelodeon thing, you know, ran its course. And I was at Food Network for 20 years. And that ran its course. And here was this opportunity. And what it's turned into has just been mind-boggling."
Nate BurlesonNate Burleson is a co-host of "CBS Mornings." He is also an Emmy Award-winning studio analyst for CBS Sports' NFL pre-game, halftime and post-game show, "The NFL Today," and is the host of Nickelodeon's "NFL Slime Time."
Twitter Facebook InstagramveryGood! (49)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Minnesota budget surplus grows a little to $3.7B on higher tax revenues from corporate profits
- What is a leap year, and why do they happen? Everything to know about Leap Day
- NYC’s plan to ease gridlock and pump billions into mass transit? A $15 toll for Manhattan drivers
- From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
- What we know about 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4
- Surge in Wendy’s complaints exposes limits to consumer tolerance of floating prices
- NYC’s plan to ease gridlock and pump billions into mass transit? A $15 toll for Manhattan drivers
- Olympic men's basketball bracket: Results of the 5x5 tournament
- North Carolina judges weigh governor’s challenge to changes for elections boards
Ranking
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- A shooting in Orlando has left at least 1 person dead and several injured, police say
- From balmy to brrr: Wisconsin cities see a nearly 60-degree temperature swing in under 24 hours
- Video shows deputies rescue 5-year-old girl from swamp after she wandered into Florida forest
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Norwegian Dawn cruise ship allowed to dock in Mauritius after cholera scare
- Senate Republican blocks bill that would protect access to IVF nationwide
- 21-Year-Old College Wrestler Charged With Murder in Connection to Teammate’s Death
Recommendation
Connie Chiume, South African 'Black Panther' actress, dies at 72
Social media influencer says Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill broke her leg during football drill at his home
Curb Your Enthusiasm Actor Richard Lewis Dead at 76
Woman files lawsuit against Tyreek Hill for 'violently' charging at her, per report
Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
We owe it to our moms: See who our Women of the Year look to for inspiration
Video shows deputies rescue 5-year-old girl from swamp after she wandered into Florida forest
The Best Posture Correctors & Posture Supporting Bras That You Can Wear Every Day