Mark Steines Abruptly and Mysteriously Leaves Job Co-Hosting Hallmark’s ‘Home & Family’

What happened to TV host Mark Steines from the Home & Family show? The 53-year-old abruptly departed the Hallmark Channel morning show on Thursday, May 31, capping off nearly six years as its co-host. And as of the time of this post, neither he nor the network has offered any indication why.

In fact, all we have is this cursory statement from his former employer, Crown Media Family Networks: "Today Hallmark Channel has parted ways with Mark Steines as the co-host of the network's lifestyle series Home & Family. We are extremely grateful to Mark for his incredible work and wish him all the best success in his future endeavors."

Meanwhile, Mark hasn't offered an explanation for his departure on social media. His last Instagram post showed him and his Home & Family co-stars honoring Memorial Day, and his last Twitter post plugged an interview in which he dispenses career advice.

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The sudden turn of events has left fans of the show stunned and seeking answers, to say the least. "What?! Why?! @MarkSteines is an integral member of the show," commented one Twitter user. "In 2018, unfortunately, the main question is, 'What did he do?'" wrote another.

After working as a news reporter and sports anchor in various markets around the country, Mark became a correspondent and substitute anchor at Entertainment Tonight in 1995, and he eventually became co-host before leaving the syndicated newsmagazine in 2012. That's when he joined Home & Family, sharing the hosting duties with Paige Davis, then Cristina Ferrare, and — most recently — Debbie Matenopoulos.

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As for his personal life, the Iowa native was married to former ET correspondent Leanza Cornett from 1995 to 2013, welcoming two sons with her, and he's been married to children's book author Julie Freyermuth since 2016, sharing one daughter with her.

As of the time of the aforementioned interview, Mark said his future plans include being a "continuing part of the entertainment industry as a rewarding way to serve the public good." He added, "I look forward to watching life unfold for my two teenage sons and my baby daughter. I look forward to sharing life with Julie, and taking many, many photographs to tell the stories of the years ahead."