Mark Polish
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1970-10-30
    • Born Place: El Centro, California, USA
  • Also Known As:

    The Polish Brothers, Polish Brothers, Polish Bros., Mark J. Polish

Mark Polish

Mark Polish is a prominent American screenwriter, actor, and filmmaker best known as one-half of the "Polish Brothers," a celebrated sibling duo in independent cinema. Born on October 30, 1970, in El Centro, California, he has spent decades collaborating with his identical twin brother, Michael Polish. While Michael typically directs their projects, Mark often serves as the primary screenwriter and lead actor. The pair rose to fame with their 1999 Sundance hit Twin Falls Idaho, in which they portrayed conjoined twins—a film that established their signature surreal, poetic, and highly visual storytelling style. Throughout his career, Mark has played a key role in several critically acclaimed independent films, including Jackpot (2001), Northfork (2003), and The Astronaut Farmer (2006). He is also recognized for his pioneering spirit in filmmaking; the brothers were among the first to experiment with digital cinema, shooting Jackpot on digital video and the 2011 romantic drama For Lovers Only entirely on a DSLR camera while traveling through France. In addition to his creative work, Mark co-authored The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking, a widely regarded guide for aspiring filmmakers on how to navigate the industry outside the studio system. In the 2025 film Alarum, Mark continues his collaboration with his brother, who directed the project. While Mark often takes on lead roles in their smaller indie ventures, in this high-octane espionage thriller, he appears in a supporting capacity as CIA Agent Kirby, working alongside an ensemble that includes Scott Eastwood and Sylvester Stallone. His recent work also includes directing his own features, such as the 2019 action-thriller Headlock (also known as Against the Clock).

Person History