Mark Kerr

Place of Birth: Toledo, Ohio, U.S.

Date of Birth: December 21, 1968

Ethnicity:
*father – Scottish, Irish, English
*mother – Puerto Rican

Mark Kerr is an American mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. Fighting in the heavyweight division, he was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and a World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, as well as a ADCC World Champion in submission wrestling. He is nicknamed “The Smashing Machine.” He was profiled in the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, and in the 2025 film The Smashing Machine, where he is played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He is 6′3″.

He is the son of Mary Elizabeth and Thomas Vernon “Tom” Kerr. He attended high school in Bettendorf, Iowa, and was a successful collegiate wrestler as a NCAA Division I champion. Mark has a son with his former wife Dawn Staples.

Mark’s paternal grandfather was Eli William Kerr (the son of Johnson Kerr and Celinda Moore). Eli was born in Marion, Ohio. Johnson was born in Marion, the son of James Kerr, whose parents were from Glasgow, Scotland; and of Elizabeth “Betsey” Arbuckle, who had roots in Scotland, Ireland, and England. Mark’s great-grandmother Celinda was born in Ohio.

Mark’s paternal grandmother was named Anna Morrow. Anna was born in Pennsylvania, to an Irish father.

Mark’s maternal grandfather was named John B. Valentine.

Mark’s maternal grandmother was named Lola Albizu.

Sources: Obituaries of Mark’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com

Obituary of Mark’s father – https://www.legacy.com