Marcus D’Amico who stole all our hearts when he created the role of “Mouse’ in the original 1993 TV production of Tales of the City. has died at the age of 55. The lovelorn Michael ‘Mouse’ Tolliver still struggling with coming out to his parents had found happiness with his new ‘adopted family’ in Barbary Lane, was someone all gay men could relate too at the time.
This ground breaking series featuring positive LGBTQ characters for the first time on TV was based on Armistead Maupin’s best selling book of the same name. When they did a follow-up series in 1998, sadly D’Amico didn’t take part much to the distress of his fans.
D’Amico was born in Germany to an American father and a British mother and was brought up in the UK. He began performing when young, in 1977, appearing in the title role of Oliver! on the West End stage when a child.
Film credits included Superman II and Full Metal Jacket, alongside a recurring role in the UK soap opera Family Affairs in the early 00s. Much of his career was subsequently based in the theatre, including a stint in the London production of Mamma Mia, among many other roles. In recent years, he also taught acting to young performers in Oxfordshire .
When his sister Melissa broke the news of his passing she said “Marcus was warm and funny with a big heart. He was talented and creative, a good singer and dancer as well as actor, writer, and director. He lived in London and LA and has many friends in both countries.”
Marcus D'Amico (4 December 1965 - 16 December 2020) R.I.P.