Matt Clark, the veteran character actor who brought authenticity to dozens of Western films and television shows over a five-decade career, died Sunday, March 15, at his home in Austin, Texas. He was 89.
Clark’s daughter, Aimee Clark, confirmed he died from complications following back surgery. The prolific performer appeared in more than 120 film and television projects, earning recognition for memorable roles in “Back to the Future Part III,” “Grace Under Fire,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and countless Westerns alongside Hollywood legends.
In “Back to the Future Part III,” Clark played Chester, the bartender who watches nervously when Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen, portrayed by Thomas F. Wilson, storms into the saloon looking for trouble. The 1990 film reunited stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd for the final installment of the beloved time-travel trilogy.
Clark built his reputation primarily through Western roles, working with some of cinema’s most iconic figures. His filmography included collaborations with Clint Eastwood in “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” John Wayne in “The Cowboys,” and Robert Redford in both “Jeremiah Johnson” and “Brubaker.” He appeared in classics such as “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 second film role came in Norman Jewison’s Oscar-winning “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, where he played a character named Packy Harrison. That early credit established his ability to hold his own alongside Hollywood’s biggest names.
The actor’s television career proved equally substantial. He portrayed Emmet Kelly in the Brett Butler sitcom “Grace Under Fire” in 1993 and played Walt Bacon for 12 episodes of “The Jeff Foxworthy Show.” His small-screen appearances spanned decades, with roles in “Bonanza,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Kung Fu,” “Dynasty,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Rookies,” “The Waltons,” and “The Winds of War.” His final television role came in 2000 on “Chicago Hope.”
Born in Washington, D.C. on November 25, 1936, Clark served two years in the U.S. Army before pursuing his passion for performance. He attended George Washington University but left before completing his degree to join a local theater group in the nation’s capital. He later trained at the HB Studio in New York under Herbert Berghof and William Hickey, then joined the Living Theatre before transitioning to film. His acting career began in earnest in the mid-1960s, with his first film credit coming in 1964’s “Black Like Me,” where he played a mugger.
Clark also explored other facets of filmmaking. He directed the 1988 film “Da,” which featured Bernard Hughes, Martin Sheen, and William Hickey, his former acting teacher. He wrote the storyline for the 1970 film “Homer,” demonstrating his creative range beyond acting.
His later film work included roles in “Love Letters,” Charlie Sheen’s “Cadence,” “Class Action,” and “42.” Clark’s final credited big-screen appearance came in 2014’s “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” where he played an Old Prospector—a fitting farewell to the genre that defined his career. He also appeared in the cult favorite “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension” and “Independence Day.”
Director Brian Helgeland, who worked with Clark on “42,” recalled his professionalism: “By the time I worked with Matt Clark on the film 42, he had already been in more than 120 different productions.”
Clark’s family shared insights into his character and values. They described him as an “actor’s actor” who “was not concerned with stars and fame.” He valued working with good people who loved their families and felt “lucky” throughout his career. The family noted that he “died the way he lived, on his terms.”
Clark married three times. His first marriage was to Erica Lann from 1958 to 1965, with whom he had sons Matthias and Jason. He then married Carol Trieste in 1968, and together they had three children: Seth, Aimee, and Alexandria, who predeceased him. In January 2000, he married Sharon Mays, who remained his companion until his death. His daughter-in-law is Kimberly Beck, known for her roles in “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” and “Independence Day.”
Throughout his career, Clark became a recognizable face to audiences even if his name remained less familiar. He represented a generation of character actors who provided depth and authenticity to countless productions, particularly in the Western genre that defined much of his work. He was, as one colleague observed, “the kind of actor that defined Hollywood filmmaking in its greatest era.”
Clark’s extensive television resume also included appearances on “N.Y.P.D.,” “Dog and Cat,” “Lonesome Dove,” “Dallas,” and “Touched by an Angel,” showcasing his versatility across different types of programming. His ability to inhabit diverse characters made him a sought-after performer for both dramatic and comedic roles.
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.