Mark David Darwin Arden (born 31 July 1956) is a British comedian and actor, best known for his television appearances. During the 1980s, he was one half of comic double act 'The Oblivion Boys', alongside Stephen Frost.
Arden was born in Newbury, Berkshire. He and Frost came to prominence in the late 1970s alternative comedy boom, and became recognisable to a national audience with regular spots on Saturday Live. In the early 1980s, they were instrumental in the forming of the long-running north London comedy show News Revue, and shortly afterwards began appearing as a pair in episodes of series such as The Black Adder and The Young Ones; they are perhaps most remembered for a series of commercials for Carling Black Label lager, one of which involved Arden and Frost appearing in the nude. Arden continued to perform with Frost in comedy clubs, although he did not follow his partner into the genre of improvisation. Nevertheless, he featured as the chauffeur Johnny Blackpool (a paranoid ex-soldier) in the partially-improv 1994 comedy film There's No Business..., opposite Raw Sex (Simon Brint and Rowland Rivron).
Arden had a role as Roland 'Vaseline' Cartwright in London's Burning, appearing in the original pilot film and the first two series; he has also had roles in such comedies as Blackadder II and Bottom. He and Frost also played the title roles in the surrealist police sitcom Lazarus and Dingwall. Later, Arden appeared in the 1992 film Carry On Columbus and in the 1990s series Harry Enfield and Chums. In October 1996 he played Jansson in an episode of the 6th series of Heartbeat (Snapped).
Arden also has had a theatre career, appearing in Willis Hall's play The Long, the Short and the Tall in the West End. He also played the inspector in An Inspector Calls at the Garrick Theatre, Pop in the musical We Will Rock You at London's Dominion Theatre, and in Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Arden's television career continued in 2002 with The Estate Agents. In 2018, he appeared in several episodes of Endeavour.
2021
as Roy
2018
2016
as Terry Leeson
2015
as Mister Carrol
2008
2006
as Self
2006
as Clem
2004
2002
as Tony
1999
as Martin Duffy
1994
as Ransom
1994
as Johnny Blackpool
1992
as Mark
1992
as Captain Skip Chip
1992
1992
as Jansson
1991
as Shooting gallery stallholder
1991
1991
1991
1989
as George
1989
as Self
1986
as Roland 'Vaseline' Oliver Cartwright
1985
as Disco Dancer
1984
1984
as Hula
1983
as Guard 1
1983
as Anon, a Guard
1982
as Father on Cornflakes Box
1982
as Gatecrasher
1982
as Gravedigger / Boy in Comic Strip
1982
as Ghost
1982
as Policeman
1982
as Man in Cabin
1982
as Mick
1982
as Hula
1978
as Page