"I am so glad I'm not into girls." |
Marco Del Rossi is a Class of 2006 graduate of Degrassi Community School, and was the valedictorian of his graduating class. He was insecure about his sexuality, which was a major part of his storyline on Degrassi: The Next Generation. Marco is best friends with Ellie Nash, Craig Manning, Jimmy Brooks, and Spinner Mason. He is also friends with Manny Santos, Hazel Aden, Alex Nuñez, and Holly J. Sinclair. He was also best friends with Paige Michalchuk, until Degrassi Goes Hollywood, but they have resolved their conflict and are friends again as of #ThrowbackThursday. Marco was portrayed by Adamo Ruggiero.
Character History
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Season 2
In Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Marco is first witnessed break-dancing in the school corridor by Paige, along with Jimmy and Spinner, who are jealous of Marco's dancing skills. Marco was later seen messing with Jimmy Brooks and Spinner Mason at a dance competition. Marco won the event, but eventually became good friends with them.
In Drive, Craig Manning invited Marco, Jimmy, Spinner and Sean Cameron to his house for the weekend while his stepfather Joey Jeremiah was away. Marco had seemingly been to Craig's house at least once before this as he had already met Joey. When Craig told Marco, Jimmy and Sean that he liked them, Sean asked if he was going to kiss them and Marco told him to shut up, foreshadowing his struggles with his sexuality and eventual realization that he was gay. Marco advised Craig against "borrowing" a car from Joey's car lot but Craig ignored him. While Marco was nervous when Craig was driving the car, he did have fun and was delighted when they won four Kid Elrick tickets. When they brought the car back to the lot, a furious Joey told Marco, Spinner and Sean to go home. Joey grounded Craig for three weeks and ripped up the Kid Elrick tickets.
Marco also met Ellie Nash, and they quickly became best friends. In Take My Breath Away, Marco approaches Ellie outside after he notices that she's reading The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey. Ellie is surprised that Marco is a fan of the writer's dark books. The two bond for a moment over their shared interest, before Marco leaves her to join his friends. Meanwhile, Hazel and Paige are sitting at a nearby table, where Hazel fills Paige in on her budding crush on Marco. Determined to win him over, Hazel leaves Paige to make conversation with him, while Ellie looks on sadly, doubting her chances of earning Marco's affection.
During Media Immersion class, Ellie sends a secret e-mail to Marco inspired by The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Upon receiving it, Marco turns to look at Hazel, smiling at her. Ashley then joins Ellie, noting the e-mail she sent, and asks to know who Ellie's secret crush is. Flustered, Ellie tells Ashley to mind her own business after she teases her about the e-mail.
Later, while working on a project together in the library, Marco fills Ellie in on the e-mail that he received, telling her that he finds it confusing. Ellie tells Marco that the sender clearly has a crush on Marco. When Marco asks why whoever sent it can't simply be straightforward with him, Ellie tells him that an anonymous e-mail allows the sender, who's probably shy, to be spared potential rejection. When Marco asks Ellie if she's ever felt that way, Ellie says that telling someone that you like them is hard. Marco agrees that it is, all the while looking and smiling at her.
Ellie then decides to tell Marco she likes him, and sends him another e-mail, telling him to meet her after school in the zen garden. Marco, thinking he's going to the garden to meet Hazel, is confused as to why Ellie is there. When Marco asks Ellie if she's the one who'd been sending him the e-mails, Ellie leaves, despite Marco's pleas for her to stay.
Outside, Ellie receives a phone call from Marco. When she begins to tell him that she doesn't handle rejection well, Marco interrupts, telling her to turn around. She turns to see Marco approaching her, phone in hand. He tells her that he didn't reject her, and explains that he was going to the zen garden with the intention of telling Hazel that she isn't his type. He says that he'd much rather date a "cool, alternative" girl like Ellie, and asks her out for coffee.
In a deleted scene in the same episode, Marco asked Ellie what was wrong as she had barely said anything all day. Ellie sarcastically responded, "Anything, anything, anything. How's that?" Craig Manning met them in the corridor and they walked to class together. Marco told Craig that he heard that he and Manny were a couple after their date the previous night. Craig said that this was not the case and Marco advised him to let Manny know that they were not in a relationship. When Craig asked him how he should do that, Marco said that he should be upfront with Manny. Ellie, who had feelings for Marco and had been sending him anonymous secret admirer emails, said that it was not that easy. Marco countered that it was and told Craig that he could not keep things bottled up inside or he would go crazy. Craig realized that he was right and that he should tell Manny how he felt. As they walked behind Craig, Ellie gave Marco a pained look, which confused him.
Later, when Ellie wants the relationship to go further, Marco's feelings about his sexuality start to get confusing. Spinner starts making jokes about Marco being homosexual, much to the annoyance of the latter. Jimmy was upset that Spinner was not being supportive of his sexuality and told Marco to ignore him. Marco tried, but was irritated every time Spinner would repeat the same joke over and over again.
In an attempt to hide the fact that he was gay, Marco decide to finally ask Ellie out on a real date, which is what she had wanted for a long time now. Ellie was so happy to finally be with Marco, but did not feel wanted during their time together. When they went out, he reluctantly held her hand and pretended to sneeze into his own hands, so he wouldn't have to hold hers. He also didn't give her a kiss good night until Spinner and Craig were watching the next day, and Marco wanted to look cool. Ellie was overjoyed now, and was finally feeling like Marco and her were expanding in their relationship.
When they all went to Ashley's house for a movie, Ellie and Marco go upstairs. They begin kissing, but Marco keeps pulling out and away. Ellie asks him if he finds her attractive. When he doesn't answer, Ellie then asks if he even likes girls at all. He says he doesn't know and Ellie tells him that she needs an answer because it's not fair to leave her hanging since they were supposedly in a relationship at the moment.
Marco thought about what Ellie had said and finally came out to her and said that he's homosexual. Ellie tells him that she will pretend to be his girlfriend for a while to hide his secret, but she can't go on with it forever. Marco then thanks her for her support and says that he's not ready to come out to his friends yet. Ellie promises that when he is ready, she will be there for him.
In Fight for Your Right, Marco saw Spinner looking at a poster asking for help in the cafeteria and told him that working there probably sucked. Spinner reminded him that he knew firsthand that it did as he worked there the previous year. Both Marco and Craig were impressed by the new clothes that Jimmy's father Jermaine Brooks had bought him as a belated birthday present. Craig asked him if he had won the lottery while Marco wondered if he had left anything on the racks. On the basketball court at lunch, Marco was impressed with Jimmy's new shoes, which he also received for his birthday, and jokingly asked him if his parents would adopt him. Jimmy told him that they already had another son, Spinner, who had "worn serious grooves" in his couch. Marco then said that if Jimmy's parents did love Spinner so much, they should take him clothes shopping too since he had seen him wear the same shirt "like 600 times."
During science class in Tears Are Not Enough (1), Craig told Spinner to shut up as he was trying to listen to Ms. Hatzilakos. When Spinner accused him of being a browner, Marco said, "Someone is just in a bad mood." An irritated Craig responded, "Someone just wants to pass his science exam, alright?"
In Tears Are Not Enough (2), when Mr Simpson told his Grade 9 homeroom class that Craig's father Albert Manning had been killed in a car crash over the weekend, Marco asked him if Craig was alright. Mr Simpson assured him that he was fine. Like everyone else, Marco was shocked when Craig came to school that day. He said to Jimmy that he was amazed that he was taking his father's death so well. When Craig told them that he got an A in his science test, Marco and Jimmy congratulated him. Craig attributed to his father's help, referring to him as a good study partner. They then expressed their condolences and Marco asked him if he was okay. After Craig made a joke about his father's death, they were both concerned.
Season 3
In Pride (1), while on a trip to the beach, Marco meets Paige's older brother Dylan who is also gay. The same day, Ellie tells Marco she is tired of pretending to be his girlfriend and she announces to everyone that they broke up.
When Ellie announces this, Marco becomes upset, and runs away. Dylan, who suspects Marco is gay, follows and tries to comfort him.
The next day, a suspecting Spinner tries to set Marco up with Hazel and they go on a double date with Spinner and Paige. When Ellie meets them, Marco feels guilty and leaves. Spinner follows him and asks why Marco left. Marco starts to cry and admits to Spinner that he is gay. Hearing this, Spinner is shocked and disgusted and leaves Marco alone.
In Pride (2), Spinner starts to bully Marco, and writes "MARCO IS A F**" on the school's restroom wall. Jimmy sees Spinner writing it and becomes mad at him, telling Spinner that hating Marco for his sexuality is just as bad and stupid as hating Jimmy for his skin color, indicating that Jimmy had accepted Marco for who he was regardless.
Later, Marco is attacked on his way to Dylan's hockey game and the gay-bashers break his phone as Jimmy called and Marco screamed for help. He was bashed because he was in the "gay part" of town. Marco pleads for them to stop and calls for help. Luckily for him, the police show up and chase the bashers away. Jimmy somehow finds Marco with the police and comforts him after being attacked.
The next day, Marco finds what Spinner wrote on the wall and tells him he is just like his attackers, and admits to Spinner that he wasn't bashed for his shoes, but because he was gay. Marco then exits the washroom angry and leaves Spinner to ponder over his homophobia.
Sometime later Spinner got over his homophobia and helped Marco get a date with Dylan. They are watching a movie and Marco tries to hold Dylan's hand, but he is afraid. Dylan sees this and so he holds his hand. The two had a good time until they ran into Marco's parents. They all went to eat and the two felt uncomfortable as Mr. Del Rossi made some snide homophobic remarks when he suspected their waiter was gay. Dylan left quietly and Marco thought his father had unknowingly ruined their date. However, this was not the case as the two shared a passionate kiss the next day.
In Rock and Roll High School, Marco was worried when Ashley, Ellie, Paige and Hazel formed a band and entered the Battle of the Bands against Downtown Sasquatch. Craig told him to relax as there was no way that he was going to let his ex-girlfriend beat him in the competition. When they practiced the new song that he had written, Craig irritably told Marco that he was playing the bass so it was only one note at a time. The next day, Craig and Marco both laughed when Ashley read out the lyrics to her new song about a girl who died in the Spanish Civil War: "Black, twisted agony. The fires of chaos burn on. Run for her tombstone before it’s too late. The blood runs cold in her veins."
After Ashley performed another song which was about Craig at school, he told Marco, Spinner and Jimmy that he was dropping out of the competition as Ashley had already won. Craig and Marco both disapproved of the abusive, sexist rap that Jimmy wrote about Ashley. They went for a walk and Marco pointed out that Craig needed to write lyrics as soon as possible. Craig explained that his head was blocked due to the situation with Ashley and Manny, leading Marco to remark that he was glad that he was not into girls. To Craig's shock, he began to shout at the top of his lungs. Marco explained that it helped to clear his head and advised Craig to try it. After some hesitation, Craig did so but it did not work for him.
At the Battle of the Bands, Marco was shocked that Hell Hath No Fury's T-Shirts depicted Craig's head engulfed in flames. When it appeared that Craig did not have a song ready for the competition, Spinner began to perform the rap over Marco's objections but Craig then appeared on stage and performed a song which he had just written apologizing to Ashley and which won the Battle of the Bands for Downtown Sasquatch.
Season 4
In Ghost in the Machine (1), Marco decorated Craig's locker with balloons and streamers for his 16th birthday. Craig put his arm around his best friend's shoulders and, given his own lack of success with girls, he half-jokingly asked Marco if he was dating anyone.
In King of Pain, Marco decided to run for Class President but he has some competition from Alex Nuñez, a girl known for getting into trouble. She threatened to reveal that he was gay to everyone but during the event she decided to keep his secret. However, her boyfriend, Jay Hogart coughed out the word "queer" in the middle of Marco's speech. In response, Marco improvises the rest of his speech, telling Jay off and generating a lot of applause from the students. Marco won on his supporters and the strength of his campaign and made Alex his vice-president. They become friends with each other.
During the presidential campaign, Marco also had some more problems with Dylan who temporarily broke up with him seeing as he still hadn't come out to his family and was hiding their relationship.
Marco eventually came out to his mother when he told her that he had a breakup and she figured it was Dylan. His mother remained supportive for her son and agreed to hide Marco's sexuality from his father.
In Anywhere I Lay My Head, Marco and the rest of Downtown Sasquatch performed together at the Spirit Squad car wash. In Craig's words, they "sucked" but Ashley assured him that no one noticed.
In Islands in the Stream, Marco, Craig, Spinner and Jimmy went to see the Bollywood film Salvador Kovack at the cinema at Marco's suggestion. Both Craig and Marco disapproved of the condescending manner in which Spinner treated Paige, who had on her first shift at the concession stand. Craig scolded him with the sarcastic comment "Nice" before they watched the film. Craig described it as "surreal" but Marco said that it would have been surreal if Salvador had been played by a goat.
Although Marco was not directly seen during the storyline era of the school shooting in Time Stands Still (2), he was shown to be involved during the aftermath.
In Back In Black, Marco was extremely upset that Jimmy had been shot. During a group counselling session with Ms. Suavé, he said, "I am shaken. I want to turn back time. I need...I need to believe that life’s better than this."
Marco, along with Craig and Hazel, were very supportive of Jimmy during his recovery. In Secret (2), he and Craig even helped him sneak out of the hospital one night to see a concert performed by Kid Elrick.
When Ashley became increasingly involved in Downtown Sasquatch after Jimmy was shot by Rick Murray in Neutron Dance, Spinner objected to her continued presence at rehearsals when she was not an official member of the band. Marco initially believed that Spinner was making too big a deal out of it but realized that he was right when Craig and Ashley completely dominated an interview with Liberty Van Zandt for the Degrassi Grapevine and did not give either of them a chance to speak. Marco and Spinner then issued an ultimatum to Craig: either they went or Ashley went. Craig attempted to tell Ashley that she was out of the band but he instead kissed. Later that day at the Dot, Craig excitedly told Marco and Spinner that they were back together but they stormed out as he failed to kick out of the band as he had promised. Craig asked Marco to cut him some slack but Marco refused to do so. At their next rehearsal, Marco brought an accordion, angrily telling Craig that it was every man for himself in the band. This, coupled with the fact that Spinner had brought Manny into the band to play the tambourine, forced Craig's hand and he reluctantly told Ashley that she was out of the band before the session in the recording studio. However, while singing "Everything's Dust" which he had written for Ashley to apologize for cheating on her with Manny, Craig realized that Ashley meant more to him than the band and went after her. They kissed and resumed their relationship.
In Voices Carry (1), Marco and Spinner played the demo that they recorded after Craig left featuring Marco's dreadful singing voice. Marco believed that it represented Downtown Sasquatch's first and last single and blamed Craig. Spinner opened his bag and dumped numerous copies of the CD at Craig's feet while Marco ejected the copy in the tape recorder and threw it at Craig.
While experiencing a euphoric high as a result of his bipolar disorder in Voices Carry (2), Craig called Marco for fashion help. Marco was still annoyed with Craig for ruining the band's chance at success but told him that he came because Craig sounded desperate. Craig told Marco that he needed help picking out a suit for Ashley's father Robert Kerwin's wedding to his boyfriend Christopher. After their shopping spree, Craig and Marco met Dylan and, before leaving, Craig told them that he was glad that gay people could get married.
In Moonlight Desires, now that Dylan was in college, Marco didn't see him as much as before and discovered that Dylan was fooling around with other people when Marco wasn't around. Dylan told him that he loved Marco but only wants an open relationship with other men. Craig suggested that he and Marco get Dylan back at the party that he was holding that night. At the party, Marco discussed his relationship problems with Craig. In an effort to cheer Marco up, Craig told him that he was a great guy and the most honest, down-to-earth and nicest person that he knew. He joked that he was a little short but that added to the cuteness to which he would be attracted if Marco were a girl or he were gay. Marco thanked him for telling him what he wanted to hear and that he appreciated it but if he really wanted to help, Craig should call him an idiot. Craig did so and Marco told him that he had no idea what to do. When Dylan arrived on the stairwell where they were sitting, Marco grabbed Craig and kissed him in order to make Dylan jealous. The kiss weirded Craig out. He said, "So, when in doubt you kiss Craig?!" Marco told him that he needed to settle the situation with Dylan and Craig responded, "Yeah, you do! You really, really do!" His attempt to make Dylan jealous failed as he was merely amused. Marco broke up with Dylan soon after, deciding that he was not interested in an open relationship.
Season 5
Marco begins to form a renewed friendship with Spinner who has, after he is revealed to have provoked Rick's shooting, been treated and ignored by everyone else the same way they treated Rick. However, their new friendship is challenged when The Friendship Club, a Christian group at Degrassi and Spinner's new friends, decide to protest the Safe Sex Assembly that Marco helped organize. They argue that "abstinence is the only way." Linus, the leader behind the protest, personally attacks Marco for his open homosexuality and "sexually immoral" ways. A fight quickly breaks out between the two. Spinner helps break up the fight. After the fight is over, Spinner decides to side with Marco.
Tim is a new kid at Degrassi. He needs help with his sexuality and soon meets Marco. Marco becomes a mentor to Tim, convincing and encouraging him to come out to his father, lying about his own father knowing. Tim comes out to his father, and learns that Marco never came out to his own father. Marco feels guilty when Tim calls him a liar and brings up the subject of Tim's homosexuality with his homophobic father. His father reacts angrily and Marco reveals Tim was gay and ignores Marco, but takes his seat for Hamlet in which Marco is the title character. When Marco begins to recite the famed speech about Yorick, he realizes he has something to do too. He announces to the whole audience that he's gay. When he arrives home that night, his father still acts like he never said a word. Marco insists on talking about it, but his father tells him that he loves him but he doesn't want to know this part about him. Marco concludes, "Then you don't want to know me."
As Marco and Tim just begin to date steadily, Dylan returns for summer break. Paige tells Marco, who is still bitter towards Dylan for cheating on him. Dylan confronts Marco at a bar and tells him he misses him, but Marco tells Dylan off. Later, when Marco confronts Dylan at his house to tell him to stop calling and texting him, Dylan tells Marco that the reason he came home for the summer is because he is still in love with him. After a poker game gone sour, Marco realizes he still reciprocates Dylan's feelings. Marco confesses this to Tim, and Tim realizes Marco is just using him to get back at Dylan and breaks up with him. Marco decides to meet with Dylan again, making him promise to never hurt him again. Dylan assures Marco that "even idiots grow up at some point," and that Marco means everything to him. Marco decides to give Dylan another chance and they get back together. Marco and Tim never become friends again after they break up.
Marco graduates as the valedictorian of the Degrassi Class of 2006.
Season 6
After telling his father several times that Dylan is just a friend, he allows Marco to move in with Dylan. Marco throws Paige a going-away-party which is eventually ruined by his father, who could only get a moving truck on the day of the party, and when Ellie gets kicked out of her dorm, Marco and Dylan let her move in. Marco confesses that he's confused and stressed about what's ahead, and how hard it will all be compared to high school which was a "cakewalk" compared to university life. Paige and Ellie both promise Marco to be there for him, despite that they're moving to different universities.
Dylan's busy hockey schedule makes Marco feel lonely. Dylan is also being very secretive, and Marco suspects that he is cheating. He plans a romantic evening for them, but Dylan leaves abruptly. Marco then reads Dylan's e-mail, and discovers he is meeting someone in a bar. When Marco confronts him at the bar, he finds out that Dylan is actually meeting a hockey-scout, who wants to scout Dylan for a Swiss hockey-team. Later, Marco apologizes for not being honest with him. Dylan tells Marco that he didn't want to say anything because he assumed he wouldn't understand or be supportive. Marco tells Dylan that he should go if it's what he really wants to do, but Dylan is conflicted because he still wants to stay and be with Marco. Marco assures Dylan that it's an opportunity that he can't pass up, and that they will make the most of the time they have left together.
When Dylan left, Marco was keeping himself cooped up inside their house, and worrying miserably that Dylan was hooking up with other guys on his team or in Switzerland. To occupy his time, he would play online poker and win money by playing. When Spinner tried to get Marco to have some fun, Marco suggested that they go to Daytona Beach and relax. Before they left they went to a club where Jay told them that he played poker with some other guys and invited Marco and Spinner to come along. That night Marco won lots of money and went out to celebrate. The next night they played again and Marco lost $1100. Later he went to see his father and stole $600 from him to play with. After getting arrested because of playing poker in Spinner and Jimmy's store, Marco tells his father that his behavior is due to how much he misses Dylan, and that he feels "empty" without him. Marco's father tells him that it isn't Dylan's fault that Marco stole the money and got arrested and that if he had any honor left he would work the money off for his father and start attending Gamblers Anonymous. Before he leaves, he tells Marco that it's time for him to start living his own life and not be so dependent on Dylan all the time.
In Don't You Want Me? (1), Marco complimented the appetizers that Paige made for her housewarming party and Ellie quipped, "She's just a culinary wizard, I guess. Even the Devil has her fine points." An exasperated Marco reminded her that she told Paige that he was alright if she dated Jesse. However, Ellie told him that it bugged her and she could not help it. Marco said that there were plenty more fish in the sea and suggested that they go to a club to meet guys but Ellie was not enthusiastic about doing so.
In Don't You Want Me? (2), Ellie followed Marco's advice and they went to a club. Ellie asked him if he tipped the server or if he still had to repay his father for the money that he stole. Marco responded, "Tip I did, gloomy one. I also have one for you. When boy hunting, try to look like you’re having fun." Jesse, who had broken up with Paige as they had nothing in common, then walked up to them and Ellie was delighted to see him. He told her that she looked great. The next morning, Marco knocked on Ellie's door and told her that they had class in half an hour. He opened the door and saw that she and Jesse were in bed together. She tried to hide Jesse but Marco left immediately.
Season 7
At breakfast in Standing In The Dark (2), Marco reminded Ellie that they had a study date at four, for which he had made notes. She told him that he was perfect and he said that she should tell that to Dylan as it was their anniversary and he had not contacted him. Ellie said, "Marco, the boy has checked out." An offended Marco then told her that he had to get to class. Ellie called after him and apologized, saying that she was sure that Dylan would call.
Later that day, Marco visited The Core to get a textbook from Ellie and began chatting with Eric, one of her co-workers who was also gay and had a crush on Marco. Ellie told Jesse that Marco kept "holding onto a guy who treats him like crap" and she suggested that they set him up with Marco. Jesse advised her to mind her own business. In any event, he believed that since Marco was loyal to a fault, he would never let her set him up with Eric. Ellie said that this meant that they would just have to be sneaky. When Marco returned home that evening, he found that Ellie and Jesse had invited Eric over for pizza. Ellie awkwardly told Jesse that she wanted to show him "the thing" and they left them alone. Marco was irritated that they had set him up like that. When Eric said that he thought that there was something between them, Marco told him that there was: Dylan, his boyfriend. Eric got the message and promptly left.
The next morning, Marco was still annoyed at Ellie, saying, "Hey, you’re still in the doghouse, Nash." However, she got him to admit that he was attracted to Eric and he agreed to have a cup of coffee with him on the condition that Ellie promised to back off, which she did. Although his date with Eric was awkward, Marco told Dylan that they needed to talk when he rang him later that day and they broke up.
Marco began to feel alone after his relationship with Dylan ends, and begins to hang out with Griffin, his new roommate, who is straight. However, he starts getting too clingy and calls their friendship a "relationship". After realizing he was acting out his feelings towards Griffin because of his loneliness, Marco decides to get a pet rabbit to give him some company.
Marco ends up calling his rabbit Hip Hop and although they bond well, Marco is still overcome by his feeling of loneliness.
In It's Tricky, Marco was seen looking at Craig's newly released album Of Two Minds. One of the songs was entitled "Kissing in the Stairwell," a reference to when Marco kissed him to make Dylan jealous in Moonlight Desires.
After Paige decided to quit her job as Andrea's assistant in Pass the Dutchie, she made breakfast for Ellie and Marco. She told them that she was taking a personal day and intended to spend the day with her roommates. However, Marco told her that he and Ellie had a group meeting for their historiography project. When Paige said that she was Marco and Ellie's closest friend, Ellie, "Oh, actually, I don't really like you." Paige ignored this barb and served them maple bacon. She managed to convince Marco and Ellie to go with her to the cinema. When she got a call before the film, they were concerned that she would be fired if she did not go to work but Paige told them that she would love that.
The next day, Paige returned home to find Marco and Ellie studying and told them that she intended to take another personal day. She wanted to spend the day with them and rented three DVDs for each of their personal tastes. While Paige was not looking, Paige gave Marco that the "she's crazy" gesture. Marco managed to convince Paige that she needed to return to work.
In Owner of a Lonely Heart, he becomes attracted to the club hopping lifestyle his new friend Devon is leading. Marco's financial situation becomes desperate and he fails to keep up with Devon's clique. This causes some friction with Ellie and the other roommates.
Marco soon becomes desperate and starts to gamble his money, but he ends up losing it. Devon tells him how they can earn some cash, and they meet up together in a car with a strange man. Marco realizes that Devon gets his money through prostitution. He ends up not going through with it, but he tells Ellie that he is worried, because he almost did do it, just for money to party. Ellie said money can't buy his rights to party or feel good.
In Don't Stop Believin', Ellie went speed dating on an assignment for The Core but did not enjoy the experience. Marco assured that she would get all the plum assignments when she became editor of the paper but Ellie told him that the job was Eric's. Paige then informed them that her father Jeff Michalchuk had bought her a condo but she had to move out by the end of the month. Ellie was annoyed as they were planning to resign the lease and now needed a new roommate. Marco said that they would find someone as long as Ellie did not leave him. She looked at him sympathetically and said, "Would I do that?"
The next day at The Core, Ellie excitedly told Marco that Jesse had placed her name on the shortlist to become editor-in-chief for the next year. While she was certain that Eric would get the position, she was still glad as it meant that she had a good shot at becoming assistant editor. Marco then asked Ellie if she would be okay with the idea of living with her future boss as he was thinking about asking Eric to move in with them. Ellie said that she had no problem with it as she loved Eric and then left for more speed dating.
At a jazz club that night, Marco invited Eric to live with them but admitted that part of the reason was that he and Ellie did not want to split up as they had been best friends since Grade 9. Eric, who said that Marco and Ellie were attached at the hip, told Marco that it was great that he had a nice straight girlfriend but he did not want to ruin their relationship by moving too fast.
Marco returned home and was surprised to find Ellie there. She told him that the second date ended as quickly as the first as her date only waited ten minutes before showing her his hunting trophies. Marco then informed her that Eric had declined his offer to move in with them. Ellie was disappointed but said that they would go on Craigslist to find a roommate. Marco suggested that they should think about going their separate ways but Ellie said, "But I don't want to give this place up...or give you up." As there was a blackout, Ellie and Marco studied in the dark for their psychiatry exam. Ellie asked Marco to define the id, ego and superego. Marco could not do so but they were interrupted by Paige and Griffin, who arrived home with ice cream. The four of them then laughed, talked and played charades for hours.
After Paige and Griffin left to have sex, Ellie and Marco went upstairs. Ellie began to pet Marco's rabbit Hip Hop and remarked that they would have to arrange visitation rights as the rabbit loved her. Marco told her that Hip Hop would miss him only as much as he would. Ellie said that she loved him and she always would, even if they were not leaving together. When Marco lamented that it could be one of their last nights living together, she responded that she could not imagine him not being in the next room. He then suggested that they should buy their dream two bedroom apartment even if they had to live on rabbit food to afford it. Ellie wished him goodnight and they kissed on the lips. As she got up to leave, he pulled her back down and asked her to stay. She said goodnight and kissed him again. However, it turned into a passionate kiss and they lay down on the bed together. The next morning, Marco woke up in bed with the seemingly naked Ellie. He realized that it was 20 minutes until their exam and rushed off. Before he did, Ellie joked that they should get a one bedroom apartment instead.
After the exam, Paige was cooking bacon from the freezer which had thawed due to the blackout. She could tell that there was some tension between them and asked if they had had an awkward exam. Ellie took some of her bacon and asked that if you had never had bacon before and then almost shared it with their best friend, should you want to talk about it. Marco then said that if you had never thought about bacon that way before, you might be a little too confused to talk about it. Ellie told him that she was going to the staff announcement at The Core to wish Eric look. Marco tried to apologize but she left before he could do so. Paige realized that something was going on and Marco explained that he and Ellie had almost had sex.
Ellie and Marco met Eric at The Core and she once again invited him to live with them. He agreed, though he said to Marco that it might be awkward for him to have his boyfriend and his best friend living under the same roof. Over a webcam, Jesse announced that Ellie was the new editor-in-chief of The Core. Ellie was shocked and delighted while Eric was extremely upset. At Marco's insistence, Ellie discussed the situation. She reflected that it had not gone the way that they expected but that The Core would be nothing without Eric, offering him the assistant editorship. Eric then suggested that it had gone exactly the way that she expected and implied that she got the position because she had slept with Jesse. Ellie was extremely offended by this. After Eric stormed out, Marco followed him, saying to Ellie that he had to as he was his boyfriend.
Later that night at their house, Marco told Ellie that he had spent two hours talking Eric down off a ledge as he felt terrible about what he had said to her. Ellie then said, "It's a good thing that my best friend defended me. Oh, oh no wait, you totally didn't!" Marco told her that he could not always be her knight in shining armor as they were just friends, nothing more. Ellie said, "WHOA! Marco, we just kissed!" and that it was not a big deal. She demonstrated this by kissing Paige, who did not enjoy the experience. Ellie said, "Yeah, that was weird and bacon-y?" Marco countered that it was a big deal as they had nearly had sex. She asked why it was a crisis. Marco said that it because he almost did not stop and part of him did not want to. Ellie realized that part of her did not want him to stop either. Marco said that they were totally dependent on each other for everything, even intimacy, and it was hurting not only their relationship with each other but their relationships with other people. Ellie came to the realization that he was right and said, "Then I guess we're moving out" before beginning to cry.
When it came time for them to move out, Marco lamented that they would grow apart and never see each other again. Paige told him to get a grip. He said that it was a bad idea but Ellie commented that she had thought about it and believed that a little distance would do their friendship good. Paige remarked that only Marco could make the right decision and then freak out about it. Marco told them that this was his point and asked them who would talk him down from his neurotic fits. Ellie reminded him that they had phones. Marco told them to make sure that they were always charged. He then said, "I love you, guys" and gave them a hug.
Season 8
In Degrassi Goes Hollywood, Marco grows a mustache and gets a call from Paige to come live it up in L.A with her and Ellie. Marco is excited to be a part of the entourage and goes to get Ellie from The Core and they get on the next plane to L.A. They meet Paige at the airport and they go to her mansion. Marco isn't convinced that she lives there. Later that day, they go exploring and shopping through L.A. Marco looks at a monument and Vivica A. Fox shows up and flirts with him.
A few days go by and Ellie runs into Craig. She is excited to see him and soon tells Marco. He isn't too happy because of what Craig did to Ellie before during season 6. Ellie tells him that Craig has a girlfriend and that he is sober, and has changed. Marco still doesn't believe her that much. At Paige's photo shoot, she has a stress attack. Marco starts to laugh because he finds it funny, not realizing how serious it was. Afterwards Paige is ticked at him for laughing. Marco quickly apologizes.
Another few days have passed, and it's Paige's 18th (not really) Birthday Bash! Marco and Ellie attend it, while Craig follows Ellie there to prove something to her. But, Ellie doesn't want to hear it after she gets drunk on vodka. Marco tries to push Craig aside and they both end up in the pool. Meanwhile, Ellie has vanished to commit suicide by drowning herself. They run to the beach and find Ellie in the shallow end. They run and save her. They hug her and tell her to never do that again.
At the end of the movie, Marco tries to tell Paige she is still the same little insecure girl who she has always been. Paige smacks him and that is almost the end of their friendship. He runs off with tears. In the last few scenes he tells Ellie to visit her father, in which she does. Also, one of the most famous scenes of the movie when Paige calls him at the hospital with Ellie visiting her father. Marco ignores the call and hangs up.
Season 9
In Heart Like Mine (1), Marco comes back to Degrassi as a student teacher. When he first gets to town, he walks in The Dot and is greeted by his good pal Spinner. Spinner and him talk about the things that happened. Holly J. and Declan walk in. Marco seems to be chummy with them, because they met previously. Holly J. is happy to find out that Marco will be her student teacher. Marco is happy but is worried that he won't be able to enforce the rules that well on her, because she is his friend. When it comes to be Marco's first day of teaching, he is nervous and shy, he lets things go too easily. Mr. Perino tells him if he really wants this job the end he'll have to be more strict. Marco agrees to this and thinks to himself the next day he'll be more strict.
The next day he is more strict and lays down the rules. Marco assigns the class an essay due in a few days. Holly J. and Declan feel as if they can't finish it in time and ask Marco for more time. Marco gives them one extra day but not to tell the class.
When they're at the award show for the basketball team, Holly J. is there with Declan and she sees Marco and Mr. Perino. She texts Marco about the few extra days and more time. He sets her straight and tells her that he's her friend, but in school he is the teacher and it wouldn't be fair to give them more time, and no one else more time. Holly J. is bewildered and is surprised Marco won't give her more time. Holly J. is ticked and doesn't talk to Marco for the rest of the day. The next day while at The Dot, Holly J. and Marco make up and him and her work it out where they can be friends and do their work when Marco's a teacher.
Degrassi: Next Class
Season 2
In #ThrowbackThursday, Marco is with Paige talking and walks up to Lola and Shay after hearing Lola talk about the zero tolerance policy. Paige tells Marco not to bother Lola and Shay but Marco tells them he listened to podcast that talks about the policy being seriously flawed. Marco telling them that it isn't applied fairly, Lola ask but isn't zero tolerance just zero Tolerance which Marco says not when there is exemptions such as a white male student is likely to be three times exempt from the policy from not white student and six times for females. Paige, Shay, Lola are shocked as the policy is racist and sexist and Marco informs him that other things could be in play such as it sometimes isn't the schools fault which Paige tells him the states are still high and Marco tells her that she should listen to the podcast which Paige jokes about slapping him again and as they take their leave Marco tells Lola he likes her hair.
Appearances
- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun No Lines
- Drive
- Take My Breath Away
- Careless Whisper
- Fight for Your Right
- How Soon Is Now?
- Tears Are Not Enough (1)
- Tears Are Not Enough (2)
- Father Figure (1)
- U Got the Look
- Pride (1)
- Pride (2)
- Should I Stay or Should I Go?
- Whisper to a Scream
- Against All Odds
- Never Gonna Give You Up
- Holiday (1) No Lines
- Holiday (2)
- Don't Dream It's Over
- Rock and Roll High School
- It's Raining Men
- I Want Candy
- The Power of Love
- Ghost in the Machine (1)
- Ghost in the Machine (2)
- King of Pain
- Mercy Street
- Anywhere I Lay My Head
- Islands in the Stream
- Back in Black
- Neutron Dance
- Voices Carry (1)
- Voices Carry (2)
- Bark at the Moon
- Secret (2)
- Eye of the Tiger
- Queen of Hearts
- Modern Love
- Moonlight Desires
- West End Girls
- Venus (1)
- Venus (2)
- Death of a Disco Dancer
- Weddings, Parties, Anything
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
- Tell It to My Heart
- Redemption Song
- The Lexicon of Love (1)
- The Lexicon of Love (2)
- Together Forever
- I Against I
- Total Eclipse of the Heart
- High Fidelity (1)
- High Fidelity (2)
- Here Comes Your Man (1)
- Here Comes Your Man (2)
- True Colours
- Working for the Weekend
- What's It Feel Like to Be a Ghost? (1)
- Rock This Town
- The Bitterest Pill No Lines
- If You Leave
- Free Fallin' (1)
- Free Fallin' (2)
- Love My Way
- Sunglasses at Night
- Don't You Want Me? (1)
- Don't You Want Me? (2)
Style
Marco had brown hair and dark brown eyes. He is significantly shorter than his friends, who sometimes tease him about it, but makes up for it by wearing stylish outfits and always making sure his hair is styled to perfection.
He has had many hairstyles during his time on the show, similar to his best friend, Spinner Mason. In season 2, his hair was short and often spiked up. In season 3, he let his hair grow out and had a choppy, longer style, in a mop-type look that was fashionable during that year.
By season 4, he added some subtle highlights to his hair and grew it even longer. It was usually parted to the side and his long bangs often hung into his face. He straightened his hair almost every day, except for when he didn't have any access to his hair products. His natural hair texture is wavy and puffy, with volume. In season 5, he continued growing his hair out, and often wore it tied back into a ponytail or with the front pinned back. At the beginning of the season, he had his hair braided into cornrows.
By season 6, his hair was even longer and usually worn tied and slicked back, however by the middle of the season he had cut his hair short again and gave himself sharp side bangs.
He usually teased his hair in the back and kept his hair a dark, deep brown color. He kept this hair style, which was very current and stylish during that year, until season 7, and by the end of the season he had cut his hair into a crisp, short cut, similar to his season 2 style.
He liked wearing trendy outfits like button-down shirts and suits, but also enjoys dressing down with track jackets, comfortable loose-fitting jeans, vests, and fitted t-shirts. He enjoys headgear like hats, from fedoras to baseball caps to bandanas, and often wears bracelets or wristbands. Another staple of his wardrobe is his Crucifix, which he wears as a symbol of his devotion to his faith, Catholicism. After he started dating Dylan, his wardrobe became a bit more sporty, though he made sure to continue spicing up his outfits with accessories and coordinated colors. While in college, Marco liked to wear stylish coats and a slightly more upscale look, likely to express his growing maturity as a sophisticated young adult.
When he returned in season 8, he still wore his hair short like he did in season 7, and was rarely seen without a black hat, likely due to the bright Los Angeles son. He opted for a clean cut look, with a simple shirt and jeans. During his student teacher gig at Degrassi, his hair was a bit longer, but gelled and coiffed. He wore nice suits with a nice sweater, to establish his authority as a teacher. This look continued when he returned to Degrassi for the anniversary in #ThrowbackThursday.
Quotes
Notable Dialogue
- (Season 2, Episode 06 - Drive)
Spinner: "Marco? Your mom's in the music industry, right?"
Marco: "She teaches piano, Spinner." (First line) - (DNC Season 2, Episode 5 - #ThrowbackThursday)
Marco: (To Lola) "I love your hair." (Final line)
Memorable Moments
- (Season 2, Episode 14 - Careless Whisper)
Spinner: "Hey, Marcy don't forget your 'fem care.'"
Marco: "Shut up."
Spinner: "What, distracted by Dr. Sally's advice on boy-on-boy love?"
Marco: "Spinner, shut up!! Okay?"
Spinner: "Um, it was a joke dude."
Jimmy: "Just tune him out, he's just trying to get you started."
Marco: "I hate f**s okay? What they do makes me sick..."
Jimmy: "...hey Marco..."
Marco: "...so just quit it! I mean like yesterday okay?" - (Season 2, Episode 20 - How Soon Is Now?)
Ellie: "Nice one boyfriend!"
Marco: "Why thank you, girlfriend!" - (Season 2, Episode 22 - Tears Are Not Enough (2))
(Craig shows Jimmy and Marco his science exam in which he got an A+)
Jimmy: "A! That's my man."
Marco: "Wow. That's amazing, buddy."
Craig: "Yeah, my dad actually did something worthwhile for me. He was a good study partner."
Jimmy: "Look we're really sorry to hear about your dad, man."
Marco: "Yeah. So you okay?"
Craig: "Guys, I'm fine. Hey, I'm the lucky one. My dad died. I, I walked away with a scratch."
Marco: "I thought you weren't in the car..."
Craig: "Friday night, we're like speeding down the highway, my dad's mad and he won't slow down. Ahead there's a rig. I see it, my dad doesn't and we hit...hard."
(Jimmy and Marco are shocked. Craig laughs)
Craig: "Guys, I was at Joey's when it happened! I had you going though." - (Season 3, Episode 05 - Pride (2))
Marco: (During volleyball) "Good thing Spin spikes like a girl!" - (Season 3, Episode 05 - Pride (2))
Marco: "Even strangers know, Spin. Last night wasn't about my shoes. Those guys, they knew... and they bashed me because they hated it, just like you do."
Spinner: "Dude, that's brutal, but you can't compare me to those guys."
Marco:"Really? Why not?" - (Season 3, Episode 09 - Against All Odds)
Jimmy: (Turns on the TV and changes the channel to a porn film) "Ah, the wonders of satellite."
Spinner: "Whoa, I didn't know you could fit that many people on a pool table."
(Jimmy turns off the TV after noticing Marco staring at it uncomfortably)
Spinner: "Hey! Turn it on!"
Jimmy: "No Spin, not everyone here wants to see that."
Marco: "No, it's okay, seeing naked ladies doesn't burn my eyes out. Besides I wasn't looking at them."
(Jimmy smiles)
Spinner: "So what were you looking at?"
Marco: "The drapes, Spin. You know, the curtains."
Spinner: "Huh?"
Jimmy: "He was looking at the the dudes. You're such an idiot."
Spinner: "Oh, gross. Can we get back to work? I kind of care about my studies."
Marco: "Spin, you've worked hard enough and deserve a break."
Jimmy: (Continues watching porn) "Aah. Gentleman, you are looking at the future Mrs. Jimmy Brooks."
Marco: "Her? Dude, that chick is totally fake. Now look at the dude right there. He's very...real."
Spinner: (Gags in disgust) "Ugh." - (Season 3, Episode 18 - Rock and Roll High School)
Marco: "I am so glad I'm not into girls." - (Season 3, Episode 19 - It's Raining Men)
Marco: "I hate bees, they're like flying death monkeys." - (Season 4, Episode 03 - King of Pain)
Marco: "Take this picture and make your dormmates jealous."
Dylan: "They're straight."
Marco: "Then make them uncomfortable!" - (Season 4, Episode 10 - Neutron Dance)
Marco: (To Paige) "Doesn't Mr. O look 'Oh so fetching?'" - (Season 4, Episode 15 - Secret (2))
Craig: "Man, we were so close, the Kid was basically sweating on us!"
Marco: "I am never gonna shower."
Craig: "What?!"
(Jimmy and Craig both laugh at Marco) - (Season 4, Episode 17 - Queen of Hearts)
Craig: "Marco, with your hair all big like that, you kind of look like Ashley."
Marco: "I was sans product this morning, Craig." (to Ellie) "And you said it looked fine!" - (Season 4, Episode 19 - Moonlight Desires)
Marco to Craig: "I can't go downstairs. I can't stay here, I can't talk to Dylan, what do I do?"
Dylan: "Marco!!"
(Marco kisses Craig)
Dylan: "Um... wow."''
Craig: "So when in doubt you kiss Craig?!"
Marco: "I gotta settle this with Dylan..."
Craig: "Yeah, you do! You really, really do!" - (Season 5, Episode 05 - Weddings, Parties, Anything)
Marco: (To Craig) "Good thing you put the cutest girl in school on drums." - (Season 5, Episode 12 - The Lexicon of Love (2))
Paige: "Marco, do you ever think about girls?"
Marco: "Wow, interesting question for first thing in the morning."
Paige: "This is serious."
Marco: "Okay, well, did you miss all the years I dated your brother?"
Paige: "Yeah, but just because you're gay doesn't mean you can't think about girls every now and then."
Marco: "Are you trying to hook me up? Oh, wicked, so there's a girl out there who likes me?"
Paige: "Not you! Me!"
Marco: "Well, who is it? Wait a minute, I know - it's Heather Sinclair! I've seen the way she checks you out".
Paige: "Eew! Double eew! No, it's not Heather Sinclair."
Marco: "Well..."
Paige: "Alex."
Marco: "Alex?"
Paige: "She kissed me last night."
Marco: "Whoa...." - (Season 5, Episode 14 - I Against I)
Marco: (Talking about the Friendship Club) "Guys, they're not brainwashed. They're too busy singing and praying and stuff." - Spinner: "Condoms make people have sex!"
Marco: "Oh, well, that's r*tarded! Where did you get that from? Some stupid pamphlet?" - Marco: "What! Who is this bigoted freak?"
- Marco: "No Spinner shut up. You and your friend just, go to Hell."
- Marco: "I do. Every Sunday."
Linus: "And they let you in?" - (Season 5, Episode 17 - Total Eclipse Of The Heart)
Marco: "Paige, when I say Dylan broke my heart, I mean that he took it, froze it, he then dropped from the C.N. Tower and ripped it to shreds okay?" - (Season 6, Episode 01 - Here Comes Your Man (1))
Marco: "Pretend there's not a 200 pound Italian man lying on my floor?!" - (Season 6, Episode 02 - Here Comes Your Man (2))
Marco: "Saved By The Bell marathon starts in five and I have the microwave popcorn with the buttery jalapeño sauce!" - (Season 6, Episode 17 - Sunglasses at Night)
Marco: "What is the opposite of cold, wet, winter, yuck?"
Spinner: "Hot...dry...summer...yum?"
Jay: "Yo gangsters. What's the haps?"
Spinner: "Just celebrating Marco's big online poker score."
Jay: "You must be quite the shark, Del Rossi."
Marco: "Well, I used to play with my boyfriend."
Jay: "Yes...You're gay...Super..." - (Season 7, Episode 06 - Death or Glory (2))
Marco: "I'm just a people person."
Ellie: "Well then, maybe you should get a pet."
Marco: (sarcastically) "Oh, that's real funny, El, hilaire." - (Season 7, Episode 08 - Jessie's Girl)
Caitlin: "Hello?"
Marco: "Wow! The famous Caitlin Ryan's in my house!"
Caitlin: "Uh, could I have a sec with Ellie?"
Marco: "Have a bunch of secs... (blushes, stuttering) uh, I didn't mean..., not sex... uh, I'm just gonna go now." - (Season 7, Episode 11 - Owner of a Lonely Heart)
Devon: "If you wanna play with the big boys, you're gonna need big bucks."
Marco: "What should I do, rob a bank?"
Devon: "Money's the easy part Marco. If you think we're gonna do quiet DVD nights at your place, you're out of luck." - (Season 8, Episode 19 - Paradise City)
Marco: "I wished they filmed that, it'll be great for the blooper reel." (laughs) - (Season 9, Episode 11 - Heart Like Mine (1))
Marco: " My name is Marco Del Rossi, but call me Marco. Mr. Del Rossi is my dad."
Fitz: "Ah, is he a midget too?"
Marco: "Well, you know what they say, 'The shorter the man... the bigger the brain'? How tall are you?"
Marco: (To Trish and Ethan) "Leave room for the holy ghost."
Trish: "What ghost?"
Marco: "Just not in front of a teacher, okay?" - (Degrassi mini - The Lovecats)
Marco: "Actually Alex, yes 'gay stuff.' I'm meeting the football team in the boiler room for a quick makeout session." - (Degrassi mini - Roomatus Interuptus)
Marco: "I'm a loser. I bought a bunny. I don't have friends. I need a channel that I like!"
Trivia
- Although Marco was introduced in the episode, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, he didn't have a speaking role until his next appearance in the episode, Drive.
- Marco and Craig were the only people to be members of Downtown Sasquatch throughout its entire existence.
- Spinner was kicked out of the band following his confession about his involvement in the shooting, Jimmy couldn't play while he was in recovery, Ellie was added as a replacement for Spinner, and Ashley was added as a temporary member (against the rest of the band's wishes) when she started dating Craig.
- Marco has had an episode that focused on his sexuality in every season from Season 2 to Season 7, except for Season 6.
- He is of Italian descent.
- Ellie was the first to know about Marco's secret. She found out during season two, while his mother didn't find out until season four, and his father didn't find out until season five.
- Marco is afraid of bees, as revealed in the season 3 episode It's Raining Men.
- Marco is one of six people that have been the closing character for the opening credits. He appeared in more of the closings than any of the others. Also, he was the first and longest running character to end the credits with the logo.
- Marco was one of eleven regular characters that didn't say anything in their first appearances. The other ten are Anya, Bruce, Connor, Riley, Cam, Luke, Shay, Esme, Saad, & Spike.
- Marco and his portrayer, Adamo Ruggiero, are both gay. Adamo came out in 2008.
- He knows how to play the accordion.
- Marco is a fan of Bollywood films such as Pather Panchali and Parash Pathar. The same was true of the Bhandari family.
- Marco, Melanie, Spike, Emma, Sean, Jess, Clare, Anya, Toby and Lucy are the only students to have braces.
- Marco was the first character to be physically gay bashed, the other two being Tim and Zane.
- Marco was jumped by a group of homophobic men in a park while walking alone at night.
- Tim was forcefully shoved into a locker by a classmate who called him a "f*****."
- Zane was thrown into a dumpster by Owen and a classmate for being gay.
- Marco dated Eric, a friend of Ellie's, which is a coincidence because in Moonlight Desires, Dylan, cheated on Marco with another guy named Eric.
- Marco is the first character to develop an addiction to poker. The second is Alli.
- Marco, Jane, Manny, and Katie all have nose piercings.
- Marco is the first regular homosexual character in Degrassi TNG, but as for homosexual characters in the entire series, Glen Simpson was the first in Degrassi Junior High, but was only in one episode.
- Marco was one of six characters to be followed into their freshman year of college as a regular (and the only male). The other five were Emma, Manny, Liberty, Paige and Ellie.
- Marco, Griffin, Adam, Eli, Clare, Grace, Frankie, Hunter, Lola and Sean all share the line "Go to hell".
- Marco used this line in I Against I
- Griffin used this line in Talking In Your Sleep
- Adam used this line in My Body Is A Cage (1)
- Eli used this line in Need You Now (2)
- Clare used this line in Scream (2)
- Grace used this line in Close to Me and #BuyMePizza
- Frankie used this line in Teen Age Riot
- Hunter used this line in Finally (1)
- Lola used this line in #BreakTheInternet
- Sean used this line in This Charming Man
- Marco lost his virginity to Dylan prior to Moonlight Desires.
- Marco is one of the five homosexuals to have a crush on a heterosexual. The other four were Riley who had a crush on Peter, Fiona who had a crush on Holly J, Tristan, who had a crush on Cam, and Zoe, who had a crush on Grace.
- Marco is a fan of Saved by the Bell.
- Marco is one of the nine characters to be featured as a regular after their graduation.
- Marco is the second character to help his friend sneak out of the hospital. The other two were Craig (who was helping with Marco) and Drew.
- Marco was Student Council President and later became valedictorian, the first student to do so. Liberty Van Zandt was the second, and Holly J. Sinclair followed suit to be the third. Though Fiona Coyne was not Student Council President, she was on the planning committee and was referred to as the co-president at graduation.
- Marco was the first person in a same sex relationship where he was cheated on and then asked to be in an open relationship. The second was Imogen and Jack with Imogen being the one who was cheated on.
- Marco is one of nine characters to successfully stop or save someone from killing themselves the others being:
- Sean saved Craig in When Doves Cry (2)
- Tyler Bishop saved Sean in Back In Black
- Jay saved J.T. in Turned Out (2)
- Manny saved Darcy in Standing In The Dark (2) and again in Live to Tell
- Marco and Craig saved Ellie in Degrassi Goes Hollywood.
- Fiona saved Dallas in Bitter Sweet Symphony (2)
- Zig saved Zoë in Believe (2)
- Zig and Esme saved Maya in #ImSleep
- Marco was one of several male characters to grow and wear his long hair. The others were.
- In an effort to cheer him up in Moonlight Desires, Marco's best friend Craig told him that he was a great guy and the most honest, down-to-earth and nicest person that he knew.
- As revealed in Weddings, Parties, Anything, Marco considered himself to be Craig's "best friend in the whole world."
- Marco considered Ellie to be "the cutest girl in school," as he told Craig in Weddings, Parties, Anything.
- Although Marco is Craig's best male friend, it is unclear whether or not he ever told him that he was bipolar. However, it is likely that he did as Jimmy was aware of it in Goin' Down the Road (1).
- In It's Tricky, one of the songs on Craig's album Of Two Minds was entitled "Kissing in the Stairwell," a reference to when Marco kissed him to make Dylan jealous in Moonlight Desires.
- Like Ellie, he was a big fan of Edward Gorey's work, including The Gashlycrumb Tinies. In Take My Breath Away, Marco described it as "the perfect balance between dark and funny."
- He was a devout Catholic, attended Mass every Sunday, and wore a Crucifix around his neck, as revealed in I Against I.
- As revealed in Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Marco was a big fan of the Oscars.
- As shown in Voices Carry (1), Marco could not sing.
- Marco had no interest in either hockey or football, as revealed in Pride (1) when he mistakenly believed that Nik Antropov, a hockey player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was being traded to the Washington Redskins, a football team. However, he pretended to love hockey in order to impress Dylan.
- In Careless Whisper, Marco had his first kiss and date with Ellie. He was also her first kiss and date.
- In Degrassi Goes Hollywood, it was mentioned that Marco was a fan of Taylor Kitsch.
- In Careless Whisper, Ashley Kerwin was the first person to suggest that Marco may be gay.
- In Whisper to a Scream, he told Ellie that he had an A average in Math.
- Marco was the first boy for whom Ellie had feelings.
- In Together Forever, Ellie confided in Craig that she did not think that Marco was a talented bassist.
- In both Queen of Hearts and Moonlight Desires, Craig mocked Marco for having big hair.
- Although Adamo Ruggiero was credited in the guest cast in Karma Chameleon, Marco did not appear in that episode. It is possible that he filmed a scene which was deleted from the episode.
- Although he was credited as a regular in Season 7, he only appeared in nine episodes of that season.
- In the 2015 interview Straight Talk with Adamo Ruggiero, Jake Epstein said that after he was cast as Craig, he was asked to read for the Marco auditions. He was given a scene in which Craig and Marco seemed to be flirting. He believed that the writers were toying with the idea of making them love interests but the idea was discarded.
- In a video posted on Degrassi's YouTube channel in 2017, Adamo is asked by Jake Epstein what Marco's been up to and Adamo, though having no confirmation that they're canon, has several ideas about Marco's life. Here are his takes:
- Dylan and Marco are back together and have moved into the top floor of a bay-and-gable house in Leslieville (a neighborhood in Toronto).
- Adamo responds to Jake's question of "are [Dylan and Marco] still together" with "last I heard" which may imply that he's had conversations with writers or producers about the fate of his character. This contradicts the final moment in the series when Marco calls to break up with Dylan (who is off-screen) in the season 7 episode Standing In The Dark (2).
- Dylan is a gym teacher.
- Adamo thinks Dylan and Marco should get married if they aren't yet.
- He hopes, as does Jake Epstein, that Marco is a really big fan of Craig's music.
- Marco was the only male valedictorian until Connor DeLaurier of the Class of 2014.
- He often referred to Craig as "buddy."
- Adamo co-hosted an episode of After Degrassi with Lauren Toyota as a replacement for Phoebe Dykstra. This was following the season 13 episode You Oughta Know and featured Lyle Lettau as a guest.
- He is Annie Clark's favorite Degrassi character.
- He was a big fan of Britney Spears.
- Marco shares some similarities with future characters Riley Stavros and Tristan Milligan.
- Like Riley, Marco had trouble coming out to his parents and was a victim of bullying due to his sexuality.
- Marco's father did not initially accept that his son was gay and denied it, similar to how Riley's mother denied that her son was gay.
- Alex threatened to out Marco to the entire school in an attempt to win the Student Council President election. Drew threatened to out Riley to the entire school in an attempt to be chosen as quarterback for the football team.
- Spinner wrote "Marco is a f**" on the bathroom wall in marker. Owen wrote "Riley's a f**" on the side of the school bus in shaving cream.
- Like Tristan, Marco had an interest in fashion, to the point where Craig asked him for help picking an outfit for a wedding. Both boys were also repeatedly unlucky in love.
- Like Riley, Marco had trouble coming out to his parents and was a victim of bullying due to his sexuality.
- Marco is the first to be called "Little Boy Blue." The second is Miles Hollingsworth III.
- Marco was the only regular male character of the Class of 2006 to Graduate on time.
Relationships
- Main article: Marco-Ellie Relationship
- Ellie Nash
- Start Up: Take My Breath Away (210)
- Broke Up: Pride (1) (304)
- Reason: Marco realized that he was gay, and Ellie was tired of being his fake girlfriend.
- Main article: Marco-Dylan Relationship
- Dylan Michalchuk
- First Relationship:
- Start Up: It's Raining Men (319)
- Broke Up: Moonlight Desires (419)
- Reason: Marco caught Dylan cheating on him with another man, and Dylan wanted an open relationship, while Marco did not.
- Second Relationship:
- Start Up: Total Eclipse Of The Heart (517)
- Broke Up: Standing In The Dark (2) (702)
- Reason: Dylan put no effort into their long distance relationship, so Marco broke up with him.
- First Relationship:
- Main article: Marco-Tim Relationship
- Tim
- Start Up: Total Eclipse Of The Heart (517)
- Broke Up: Total Eclipse Of The Heart (517)
- Reason: Marco was still in love with Dylan, and Tim was just covering.
- Main article: Marco-Eric Relationship
- Eric
- Start Up: Owner of a Lonely Heart (711)
- Broke Up: Don't Stop Believin' (722)
- Reason: Ellie got the editor job that he deserved, and he was angry at Marco, who was friends with Ellie. He never found out that they almost had sex.
Interaction
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Alex • Alli • Anya • Ashley • Blue • Bruce • Caitlin • Chantay • Clare • Connor • Craig • Damian • Danny • Darcy • Dave • Declan • Derek • Ellie • Emma • Fiona • Hatzilakos • Hazel • Holly J. • J.T. • Jane • Jay • Jenna • Jimmy • Joey • Johnny • K.C. • Kelly • Leia • Liberty • Manny • Marco • Mia • Paige • Peter • Raditch • Riley • Sav • Sean • Snake • Spike • Spinner • Terri • Toby |