ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Fame isn’t just found on the big screen. At Anderson County High School, it wears a badge and a smile.
Deputy Mark “Hollywood” Whaley got his nickname back in high school, and after 42 years in law enforcement, it’s a name everyone recognizes. Students and staff say there’s a reason for his popularity.
“Every school wants Hollywood, you know, if we had a fantasy draft for SROs he'd be the number one pick, right,” said Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker.
It was no surprise that when the dance team needed one more performer for their big routine, Hollywood was ready to step in.
“Hollywood's out here killing it and the whole school knows, and I was just super overjoyed that the school was enjoying it and that that would be something remembered for the rest of a lifetime,” said Brianna Laing, an Anderson County High School student and member of the dance team.
“Well, well, it was fun. You know, when you do a show you go to do the show out,” Hollywood said.
Moments like these are even more meaningful considering the challenges he’s faced in recent years. In 2023, Hollywood was diagnosed with throat cancer, forcing him into retirement and away from the students he loves.
“One of the most unfair things in the world you could see happen to a guy like him, because he loves interacting with the community, he loves talking,” Barker said.
After completing radiation and chemotherapy, Hollywood was declared cancer-free by Christmas 2024. With the support of the school and his community, he returned to the hallways he’s known for decades.
“We were having trouble filling SRO positions, so we called Hollywood and asked him if he would consider coming back out of retirement,” Barker said.
And return he did - with a bright Hollywood smile, and a voice that may sound a little different, but is just as welcoming as ever.
“I hear his voice letting us know that we're all safe. It's just something that we all admire, and we all love just having him around 24/7,” Laing said.
Staff members echo the sentiment. “We say all the time they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care, and I think our kids know that he cares about them,” said Anderson County High School Principal, Travis Freeman.
Maybe you won’t find his name in flashing lights, but in these hallways, there isn’t anyone more famous.
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