Mark Ciardi

Mark Thomas Ciardi (pronounced CHAR-dee; born August 19, 1961) is an American film producer and former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is the founder and president of Select Films, an independent content production firm that also serves as a financier for media properties. Prior to Select Films, Ciardi was the co-founder of Mayhem Pictures, which had an overall first-look deal with Walt Disney Studios for twelve years.

At Mayhem, Ciardi produced several sports films for Walt Disney Pictures, including The Rookie, Miracle, Invincible, The Game Plan, Secretariat, Million Dollar Arm, McFarland, USA, and Safety. Ciardi also produced A Million Miles Away for Amazon Studios, as well as Chappaquiddick, The Miracle Season, and the Lionsgate film American Underdog. He also produced the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Big Shot and the 30 for 30 documentary 42 to 1.

A native of Piscataway, New Jersey, Ciardi was an All-State high school pitcher, graduating from Piscataway Township High School as part of the class of 1979. He continued his baseball career at the University of Maryland, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was drafted in 1983 by the Milwaukee Brewers organization and was called up to the major leagues in 1987.

He retired the following year due to an injury. Ciardi is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and served on the board of trustees at the University of Maryland. He is married with two children and resides in Los Angeles.