Mark Goffeney

Mark Goffeney (born 1969) is an American musician from San Diego, California, known as “Big Toe” because, being born without arms, he plays guitar with his feet. He is bassist and vocalist for the 'Big Toe' band and played the principal role on Fox Television's Emmy-nominated commercial 'Feet'.

Background

Born in San Diego, Goffeney was raised in a musical family. By age nine he was attempting to create his own music despite his handicap, but choosing an instrument proved to be a challenge. For a while he played trombone in the school band, and then his father brought home an old guitar he had found at a garbage dump. Goffeney asked a guitar-playing neighborhood friend for instruction. The guitar had only four strings.

With his friend's help, Goffeney developed his own technique, learning guitar and bass. He would lay the guitar on the ground, supporting the neck with whatever he could get his feet on. He would strum with his left foot and make chords with his right.

Adult career