Current:Home > InvestMarc Summers delves into career and life struggles in one-man play, "The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers" -DollarDynamic
Marc Summers delves into career and life struggles in one-man play, "The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers"
View
Date:2025-04-12 14:46:54
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! (533)
Related
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Why Olivia Culpo Didn't Let Sister Aurora Bring her Boyfriend to Christian McCaffrey Wedding
- Pet food recall: Viva Raw cat and dog products could carry listeria risk
- Biden fixes 161-year-old oversight, awards Medal of Honor to 2 Civil War soldiers
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- US new-vehicle sales barely rose in the second quarter as buyers balked at still-high prices
- Why Olivia Culpo Didn't Let Sister Aurora Bring her Boyfriend to Christian McCaffrey Wedding
- The UK will hold its first election in almost 5 years. Here’s what to know
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Flying objects and shrunken heads: World UFO Day feted amid surge in sightings, government denials
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Discipline used in Kansas’ largest school district was discriminatory, the Justice Department says
- One way to get real-life legal experience? A free trip to the Paris Olympics
- Hurricane Beryl leaves trail of devastation in southeast Caribbean islands: The situation is grim
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Trump sentencing delayed as judge in hush money case weighs Supreme Court immunity ruling
- Hurricane Beryl leaves trail of devastation in southeast Caribbean islands: The situation is grim
- USDA: More than 4,600 pounds of egg products recalled in 9 states for health concerns
Recommendation
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Robert Towne, Oscar-winning writer of ‘Chinatown,’ dies at 89
What happened in the Karen Read case? Timeline of key moments in John O'Keefe murder trial
Jenna Bush Hager Says Her Son Hal, 4, Makes Fun of Her Big Nipples
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
Angel Reese cries tears of joy after finding out she's an All-Star: 'I'm just so happy'
Eddie Murphy talks new 'Beverly Hills Cop' movie, Axel Foley's 'Everyman' charm
Discipline used in Kansas’ largest school district was discriminatory, the Justice Department says