In 1988, while still doing undergraduate work at NYU, Marino formed the comedy troupe that would become known as 'The State'. New York City performances won the group fans both on and off campus, and in 1992, 'The State' was called upon by MTV to create and appear in sketches for the network's viewer interactive series "You Wrote It, You Watch It" hosted by fellow up and comer Jon Stewart. Beginning in 1994, "The State" was a weekly half-hour of comedy sketches by the troupe. Writing and starring in the sketches, Marino brought his own brand of humor to the series. Both conceptual and slapstick physical in nature, his skewed view was best depicted in sketches such as "Hormones", which featured anthropomorphized hormones reacting to the various events in a couple's evening rendezvous. Though it was a hit with viewers, and spawned a dedicated cult following, the network and the group disagreed with the direction of the series, and in 1995, "The State" ceased airing new episodes. Later that year "The State's 43rd Annual Halloween Special", their first outing for CBS debuted. Poorly rated and lacking the comedic coherence of their earlier work, the special would be the group's only work for CBS.
Arguably the most versatile and photogenic member of the cast, Marino bounced back quickly from the fall of 'The State', racking up theater credits as well as TV guest spots. A 1996 appearance on the NYC-lensed sitcom "Spin City" (ABC) marked an early acting credit. The actor followed up with a regular role on the second season of the doomed sitcom "Men Behaving Badly" (NBC, 1997-98), paired with Rob Schneider as a couple of goofy single guys. Here he played a man from a wealthy background who strives to make it on his own with no assistance. He would revisit this theme on the NBC midseason entry "First Years" (2001) with the role of Miles Lawton, a charming attorney fresh from law school who separates himself from his family's money and influence to get ahead on the strength of his own smarts. Between regular series gigs, Marino stayed busy with guest shots on the series "Nash Bridges" (CBS, 1999), "The Practice" (ABC, 1999) and "Angel" (The WB, 2000) as well as a recurring role as Mafia man Sammy Coke Bottles on the 2000 CBS crime drama "Falcone". On the big screen, Marino had a bit part in the thoughtful sci-fi feature "Gattaca" (1997) and did extensive work independent film, including a starring role in the romance "Love Happens" (screened at 1999's IFFM) and a supporting part as a neglectful counselor in the summer camp-set "Wet Hot American Summer" (shown at Sundance 2001), a veritable reunion of 'The State', directed by co-founder David Wain and starring members Michael Showalter, Jo Lo Truglio and Michael Ian Black.