Career
This world-famous supermodel landed up in the United States in 1987, and after a couple of years, in 1989, he was discovered by professional photographer Barry King from Los Angeles, California, on Venice Beach, when Marcus was enjoying roller-skating. It was King who asked Marcus to foray into modeling, offered him test shoots, and helped him get an agency.
Meanwhile, in the late 1980s, he ventured into the world of acting, with the role of “the big brother” in the 1988 film ‘Meatballs and Maccaroni.’
In 1990, Marcus signed a contract with the modeling agency ‘Boss Models,’ and thus began his new journey as a model.
His real breakthrough as a model came when he posed for ‘Calvin Klein’ jeans, in the early 1990s. His pictures in the commercials were taken by renowned American fashion photographer and occasional filmmaker Bruce Weber. He particularly grabbed attention with the ‘Calvin Klein’ commercial that showed him barely holding his ‘Calvin’ jeans while in a shower.
He was the first male model to have adorned the cover of the American women's fashion magazine, ‘Harper’s Bazaar.’ Moving on, he featured on the covers of many more magazines, such as the American fashion and lifestyle magazine ‘Vogue’ and the international lifestyle magazine of French origin ‘Elle.’
Since the very beginning of his modeling career, Marcus has worked for several renowned designers and fashion brands, such as ‘Giorgio Armani,’ ‘Calvin Klein,’ ‘Iceberg,’ ‘DKNY,’ and ‘Versace,’ either for fashion shows or for advertising campaigns.
He has featured in several TV commercials for brands such as ‘L’Oréal’ and has, over the years, shot with many famous supermodels, such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Claudia Schiffer.
In May 1992, he was named one of the ‘50 Most Beautiful People in the World’ by ‘People’ magazine. He was ranked at number 17 on the ‘World’s Greatest Supermodel’ list released by ‘Channel 5.’
His modeling career of more than two decades has seen him work with many modeling agencies. These include ‘Chelsea,’ the London-based ‘Storm Model Management,’ the New York-based full-service modeling and talent agency ‘Wilhelmina Models,’ the Milan-based agency ‘D' Management Group,’ and the Paris-based agency ‘Success Models.’
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At present, he works with the New York-based international modeling agency ‘Ford Models’ and also with ‘Soul Artist Management.’ He is considered among the best-paid and the most sought-after male supermodels across the world.
While experimenting with his modeling career, he continued to feature in films. The Anthony Hickox-directed 1997 Irish–British independent sword-and-sorcery film ‘Prince Valiant,’ which had Stephen Moyer and Katherine Heigl in starring roles, featured Marcus in the role of ‘Tiny.’
In 1997, he came up with the book ‘Marcus Schenkenberg, New Rules,’ where he shares his experiences and views on his modeling career and also mentions the role of his friends and associates in his thriving journey as a model. The book also consists of a few breathtaking photographs of this handsome supermodel.
In 1999, he casually recorded a song, ‘La Chica Marita,’ on being requested by a friend. It turned out to be yet another breakthrough for Marcus, this time as a singer, which led him to sign a contract with ‘EMI.’ Produced by Tony Catania, the song found a place in the soundtrack of the 1999 crime comedy–drama film ‘Flawless,’ starring Robert De Niro and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
He landed up with the starring role of ‘Adam’ in the 1999 drama ‘Hostage,’ written and directed by Fredrik Sundwall. Marcus also featured as ‘Sachi’ in the 2010 American drama ‘Multiple Sarcasms.’
He has also featured in several international TV programs, such as the Pamela Anderson-starrer American action/comedy–drama series ‘V.I.P.,’ in 2001; the British comedy panel-show ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks,’ in 2002; and the third longest-running American daytime soap ‘As the World Turns,’ in 2005. He also appeared in guest roles in various German TV programs, such as ‘the Bambi,’ in 2003, and ‘Germany's Next Topmodel,’ in 2006.
His name has evolved into an international brand since 2009. The diverse products that come under the ‘Marcus Schenkenberg’ brand include underwear, cosmetics, fragrance, fitness DVD, and pearl jewelery collection.
In 2010, he released a 130-minute DVD, titled ‘Marcus Schenkenberg: Body Secrets—sexy shape in just 2 weeks.’
Personal Life
This handsome model, once marked as the sexiest man alive, has continuously grabbed the spotlight for his relationships and romantic stints with many beautiful divas from the entertainment industry. These included his romantic association with models Rosemarie Wetzel, Catherine Hardenborg, and Maureen Gallegher, in the early 1990s.
He is said to have dated divas such Jessica Simpson, Victoria Silvstedt, Nicky Hilton, and Mariah Carey among others. He particularly garnered public attention for his relationship with famous Canadian–American actor and model Pamela Anderson, between 2000 and 2001. Speaking about the affair, in October 2000, he is said to have stated, "She is the most beautiful, famous and sexy woman in the world. We are crazy about each other. ... Yes, marriage and children too, definitely. But I don't want to rush anything. I am a romantic."
He resides in Los Angeles and New York and has an apartment in Stockholm. He backs several charities across the globe and remains an active member and spokesperson of the animal-rights group ‘People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA). He is also a patron of the ‘LR Global Kids Fund’ in Sweden.
He enjoys photography, swimming, and playing basketball.
