When Jennette McCurdy released her book, I Glad My Mom Died, all the focus was, naturally, on her relationship with her mother.
They had a challenging connection, which was even more difficult because of her father, Mark McCurdy.
What did he do, and what’s his story? That’s what I aim to reveal tonight!
Who is Mark McCurdy?
View this post on Instagram
Mark McCurdy, supposedly born on December 26, 1957, is best known as the father of Jennette McCurdy, the former actress and writer.
Living in New Jersey and working two jobs to support his family, Mark’s life has often been viewed through the lens of his daughter’s story, though he largely remained a mystery.
He lived a modest lifestyle, raising his kids in Garden Grove, California, where their upbringing was influenced by their involvement with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
His daughter described their relationship as strained, with Mark emotionally disconnected and focusing more on work to keep the house afloat.
Sadly, this was one of the main factors affecting her relationship with her mother, as Mark’s absence played a vital role in what Jennette and her siblings dealt with at home.
Personal Life and Familial Tragedies
Jennette McCurdy and her mother attend the 16th annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women on May 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Mark’s wife, Debra McCurdy, played a central role in their household, taking charge of homeschooling their four children while he worked.
However, the family faced a severe setback when Debra was diagnosed with cancer when their daughter was only two or three years old.
The disease led to years of treatment—surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant.
Despite these efforts, her cancer returned in 2010 after a long, grueling battle of 17 years. Debra passed away on September 20, 2013.
Shortly after Debra’s passing, a startling truth came to light: Mark was not Janette’s biological father. He had only one biological child with Debra.
Mark revealed this to his daughter, disclosing that her mother had an ongoing relationship with another man, trombonist Andy Martin, while they were still married.
So she later tried to find her biological father, along with the fathers of Dustin and Scott. She kept in regular contact with her biological father for three to four months, but eventually, that relationship faded as well.
Where is Mark McCurdy Today
Jennette McCurdy and her brothers as kids.
Like many celebrities’ parents, we know nothing about Jannette’s father. His life before and after the marriage is shrouded in mystery.
Also, considering his relationship with his daughter wasn’t the best, there isn’t any news of them meeting up or Jannette mentioning him again.
FQAs
1. Why Did Jennette McCurdy Write I’m Glad My Mom Died?
Jennette wrote the book to expose her painful childhood and how her mom controlled her life and career. She wanted to help others understand the darker side of being a child star.
2. Did Jennette Turn Down $300,000 from Nickelodeon?
Yes! She refused the $300,000 offer from Nickelodeon to stay silent about her experiences on iCarly.
3. What Did Jennette Say About Dan Schneider?
Jennette described uncomfortable moments with iCarly creator Dan Schneider, including inappropriate behavior and pressure to dress in a certain way.
Miranda Cosgrove, first lady Michelle Obama and McCurdy dance onstage in 2012 during a screening at a Virginia elementary school of an “iCarly” episode which Obama appeared on.
4. Why Did Jennette Develop Eating Disorders?
At age 11, Jennette’s mom encouraged her to restrict calories and develop anorexia to delay puberty, believing it would help Jennette book more acting roles.
5. Why Did Jennette Quit Acting?
Jennette walked away from acting because it was a career she never wanted, had no genuine interest in, and was tired of being controlled by her mom and the industry.
Final Words
Reading about Mark McCurdy’s story elicited many conflicting feelings in me. Initially, I was sad, seeing this hard-working man taken for granted and his wife cheating on him for years.
Yet, there’s also part of me that feels frustrated, as Jennette and her siblings went through a lot of trauma with their mother.
Had he been there for the kids more often, perhaps their lives would’ve taken a different course.
Of course, doing that would mean letting go of one of his two jobs and suffering from financial strain. It’s such a complex situation with zero winners.
