That’s so cool that you knew him! And so sad that he’s passed.

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From his Wikipedia page:

Mark Lewis (February 16, 1954 – December 7, 2014) was an American storyteller, actor, and teacher.

He began his storytelling career while a student at John Muir High School in Pasadena, California, winning regional drama competitions with his telling of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Jabberwocky”, two pieces that became staples of his professional storytelling repertory. In 1971, he formed a performing partnership with singer-songwriter-actor Craig Coulter, and together, as Coulter & Lewis, they developed an enthusiastic local following performing songs (some original), poetry, children’s stories, and skits.

Lewis was part of the Renaissance Pleasure Faires that took place in Agoura, California in the 1970s – 1990s, serving first as the black-hooded and silent Executioner. He later took on speaking roles that allowed him to share his storytelling gifts with Faire-goers. Lewis received two Emmy Awards for his show “Word Pictures” on WTTW in Chicago, and he had a syndicated radio show.

He was a featured performer on the TV series Northern Exposure on CBS and Leverage on TNT (as Santa/Jack in "The Ho Ho Ho Job”, 2012). Lewis was an illustrator and he wrote four books, among them Kaliban’s Christmas: A Special Tale of Magic (Puffin Books, 1987), The Secret of the Quilt (Book One of The Counterpane Collection) with illustrations by Laura Kelly (Laughing Moon Productions, 1992), and the ibook Anna and the Sun (Lulu.com, 2011).