Mark Albert

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Mark Albert is a fictional character in the Fox Television show Ally McBeal played by James LeGros. In his introductory episode, Ally viewed Mark as a threat to her own position at Cage & Fish, and treated him with open hostility, although this conflict was quickly resolved.

Introduced as a new associate for the law firm of Cage & Fish toward the end of season three, Mark was initially portrayed as both highly skilled (nicknamed "the Closer" for his unparalleled skill with closing arguments) and highly eccentric (so obsessed with dental hygiene that he had a dentist's chair installed in his office). However, despite LeGros becoming an official regular cast member in season four, the addition of Robert Downey, Jr. to the cast altered the direction of the series, and Mark's previously established eccentricities and skills were completely abandoned. Mark's appearances in season four were almost exclusively devoted to a storyline in which he developed a romance with Cindy McCauliff (Lisa Edelstein), a closeted transsexual. Ally and Richard Fish both knew about Cindy being transsexual, but were forbidden to reveal her secret since they had learned about it in a privileged conversation.

After the romantic storyline with Cindy was resolved, Mark was quickly and quietly phased out of the series, and did not appear again after season four. The character's absence was never explained -- a recurring characteristic of shows run by David E. Kelley (see also articles on Ally McBeal, Boston Public, and The Practice).