Mark Sayers McGrath (born March 15, 1968)[1] is an American singer who is the lead vocalist of the rock band Sugar Ray. McGrath is also known for his work as a co-host of Extra, and he was the host of Don't Forget the Lyrics! in 2010. McGrath hosted the second season of the TV show Killer Karaoke, taking the place of Jackass star Steve-O.
Early life
McGrath was born in Hartford, Connecticut. His family moved from Connecticut to Newport Beach, California when he was eight years old. He attended Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach and later the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he majored in communications, graduating in 1990.[2][3] After college, McGrath entered a state of depression and apathy until his friend McG brought him to help in a job driving a delivery truck, where McGrath decided to continue his musical career.[4]
Music career
McGrath, Rodney Sheppard, Murphy Karges, and Stan Frazier formed Sugar Ray in Orange County, California in 1992.[1] In 1994, the band signed with Atlantic Records.[citation needed] Their first success came in 1997 with the song "Fly."
McGrath's popularity soared as he appeared on the covers of national magazines such as Rolling Stone and Spin. He also made numerous appearances on MTV, VH1, and various talk and awards shows. People magazine named him the "Sexiest Rocker" of 1998.[5]
McGrath contributed the track "Reaching Out" on Strait Up, a tribute album to late vocalist James Lynn Strait, whom he has a dedication tattoo to memorialize. He appeared in the video of "Angel's Son", another song written for the album by Sevendust, and performed with the band during their appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
In 2012, McGrath and Everclear's Art Alexakis organized the SummerLand Tour, consisting of Sugar Ray, Everclear, Lit, Marcy Playground, and Gin Blossoms.[6] McGrath and Alexakis decided to split ways in 2013, and McGrath formed the "Under the Sun Tour" with Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon, and Fastball.[7]
He appeared in Smashing Pumpkins' Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts) video, released in October 2018.[8]
He is also a DJ. On weekends, he hosts a show on SiriusXM's 90s on 9, the 120.[citation needed]
In 2004, McGrath began his work as co-host of the Extra television show on September 13, after a producer noticed his work hosting various VH1 and MTV programs and asked him to join.[10] McGrath left the show in July 2008 to focus on his music career.[11]
In 2010, McGrath began hosting the third season of Don't Forget the Lyrics, which aired on syndication. He appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice Season 4, which premiered in March 2011, where he was fired in week six and finished in tenth place.
On December 19, 2022, McGrath appeared on the first episode of the American version of “The Wheel”. He was one of the celebrities helping the contestants win money.[19]
In 2023, he became the host and narrator of the documentary television series Dark Side of the 2000s.[20]
Personal life
He married beautician Carin Kingsland on September 24, 2012.[21] The couple met in 1994 and were engaged on New Year's Eve 2009 after 16 years of on-and-off dating.[22] McGrath and Kingsland are parents to twins, a boy and a girl, born on April 29, 2010.[22]