Matt Clark, the seasoned character performer who delivered genuine performances in numerous Western films and TV series throughout a fifty-year career, passed away on Sunday, March 15, at his residence in Austin, Texas. He was 89.
The actor’s daughter, Aimee Clark, verified that his death resulted from complications after back surgery. He had sustained a broken back several months prior, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The accomplished actor was featured in over 120 film and television productions, gaining acclaim for noteworthy performances in “Back to the Future Part III,” “Grace Under Fire,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and numerous Westerns with Hollywood icons.
In “Back to the Future Part III,” Clark portrayed Chester, the saloon keeper who observes anxiously as Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen, played by Thomas F. Wilson, enters the bar seeking confrontation. The 1990 movie brought together stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd for the concluding chapter of the cherished time-travel series.
Clark established his standing mainly through Western performances, collaborating with some of the film industry’s most legendary personalities. His body of work featured partnerships with Clint Eastwood in “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” John Wayne in “The Cowboys,” and Robert Redford in both “Jeremiah Johnson” and “Brubaker.”
In a 1991 interview, Clark shared his passion for Westerns: “I just loved ’em! Just like you always wanted to do as a little kid, you put on chaps and boots and tie on spurs that jingle when you walk.” He was cast in classics including “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” with Paul Newman, “Hearts of the West,” “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” and “The Legend of the Lone Ranger.”
His sophomore film performance was in Norman Jewison’s Academy Award-winning “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), featuring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, in which he portrayed a character named Packy Harrison. That initial credit demonstrated his capability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Hollywood’s most prominent talents.
The performer’s small-screen work was similarly impressive. He embodied Emmet Kelly in the Brett Butler comedy series “Grace Under Fire” in 1993 and portrayed Walt Bacon for 12 episodes of “The Jeff Foxworthy Show.” His television credits extended across decades, featuring parts in “Bonanza,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Kung Fu,” “Dynasty,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Rookies,” “The Waltons,” and “The Winds of War.” His last television appearance occurred in 2000 on “Chicago Hope.”
Born in Washington, D.C. on November 25, 1936, Clark completed two years of military service in the U.S. Army before following his artistic aspirations. He enrolled at George Washington University but departed prior to graduation to become part of a community theater company in the capital. He subsequently studied at the HB Studio in New York with Herbert Berghof and William Hickey, then became a member of the Living Theatre before moving into cinema. His professional acting journey commenced in the mid-1960s, with his initial film appearance in 1964’s “Black Like Me,” where he portrayed a mugger.
Clark additionally investigated other dimensions of cinema. He helmed the 1988 picture “Da,” which starred Bernard Hughes, Martin Sheen, and William Hickey, his previous acting instructor. He authored the storyline for the 1970 picture “Homer,” showcasing his artistic versatility outside of performing.
His later film work featured performances in “Love Letters,” Charlie Sheen’s “Cadence,” “Class Action,” and “42.” Clark’s last acknowledged theatrical appearance was in 2014’s “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” in which he portrayed an Old Prospector—an appropriate conclusion to the genre that characterized his profession. He also had roles in the cult classic “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension” and “Independence Day.”
Director Brian Helgeland, who collaborated with Clark on “42,” remembered his dedication: “By the time I worked with Matt Clark on the film 42, he had already been in more than 120 different productions.”
Clark’s relatives provided perspectives on his personality and principles. They characterized him as an “actor’s actor” who “was not concerned with stars and fame.” He appreciated collaborating with good people who loved their families and felt “lucky” throughout his career. The family observed that he “died the way he lived, on his terms.”
Clark wed three times. His initial union was to Erica Lann from 1958 to 1965, with whom he fathered sons Matthias and Jason. He subsequently wed Carol Trieste in 1968, and together they welcomed three children: Seth, Aimee, and Alexandria, who died before him. In January 2000, he wed Sharon Mays, who stayed his partner until his passing. His daughter-in-law is Kimberly Beck, recognized for her performances in “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” and “Independence Day.”
During his professional life, Clark became a familiar presence to viewers, even though his identity stayed less well-known. He symbolized a cohort of character performers who contributed substance and realism to innumerable productions, especially in the Western genre that characterized much of his output. He was, as one associate noted, “the kind of actor that defined Hollywood filmmaking in its greatest era.”
Clark is survived by his wife Sharon Mays; sons Matthias Clark, Jason Clark, and Seth Clark; daughter Aimee Clark; nine grandchildren; a great-grandson; and stepchildren Michelle, Joyce, and Ray.
