Playgirl Sexiest man Eric Markel now a missionary in Downtown L.A. crime district

By Jody Babydol Gibson

Eric Markel helping downtown down and outs

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/30/09 — Playgirl’s 1997 Sexiest Men heartthrob is on Skid Row. A charismatic incredibly handsome man standing 6’5″ tall, with long dark hair, well toned and tanned, stands shirtless on the corner of one of the most dangerous streets of the Los Angeles ghetto at San Pedro & 5th known as Skid Row.

He is handing out Christian literature. And this isn’t just any corner- this is where all the drug addicts and derelicts buy, do, and sell their drugs, where dozens of bodies lay draped piled up on one another on the sizzling hot sidewalks, passed out or dead from an overdose. I’d heard about this guy and there was a documentary in progress. It is a scene right out of Purgatory with his sometimes the only white man in sight.

Once donned one of Playgirl’s Sexiest Men he is now in a civil war Confederate jacket resembling a Greek Adonis and the first question that comes to mind is: What is this man doing here in this disease infested hell with miles of drug induced bodies lying around? Who is he trying to help?

After exploring further we learn that his name is Eric Markel and although he was indeed a former Playgirl centerfold but really does Missionary work and has been doing it on Skid Row for the last 18 years; much like his great grandfather before him, also a Missionary, who gained popularity after translating the bible into several languages during his work for the impoverished overseas.

The dichotomy of a tall, Adonis in a largely Afro-American neighborhood, counseling drug infested areas amidst all the possible carnage was most unusual to say the least and curiosity was enticing me to visit him in person to see what the buzz on this guy is about.

Since it was much too dangerous to even drive through there alone I took a friend with me. We showed up at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon with the bright California sun blazing on yet another hot day to find Eric standing on his anticipated corner signing his literature or books as he calls them. I get out of the car to question one of his many captive listeners pleased with having received inspiration from Eric.

The inspired man tells me that Eric is loved down here as well as feared because he’s a “bad-ass”. We approach Eric with our question:

“Eric, why are you standing out here in the slums of Skid Row handing out Christian literature?

“There’s no greater gift than one giving his life for a cause; we’re all God’s children” he replies.

“What’s your cause?” I ask.

“There’s no such thing as white or black power; we’re all equal. I’m here to counsel my Afro-American brothers off drugs. I’m a man on a mission!”