Back To The Future III Star Dies at 89 Matt Clark, the actor who portrayed Chester the Bartender in the 1990 film Back to the Future III, has died at the age of 89. His family confirmed his passing on Sunday morning, stating he succumbed to complications following back surgery. Clark, a veteran of both film and television, passed away in his home in Austin, Texas. The actor’s career spanned over five decades, beginning with his debut in the 1964 film Black Like Me. He later appeared in notable films such as In the Heat of the Night (1967), The Bridge at Remagen (1969), and The Driver (1971). In the 1980s, Clark starred in cult classics like The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) and Return to Oz (1985). His role in Back to the Future III—a time-travel sequel featuring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd—remained one of his most recognizable performances. Beyond film, Clark had a lengthy television career. He appeared in the sitcom Grace Under Fire (1993–1998), which starred comedian Brett Butler, and also guested on series such as The Jeff Foxworthy Show, The Waltons, Magnum, PI, and The Practice. His filmography included collaborations with A-list stars like Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, and Jeff Bridges. Notable projects included Honkytonk Man (1982), where he shared the screen with Clint Eastwood, and The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972), co-starring Paul Newman. Clark’s final film role was in A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), a comedy directed by Seth MacFarlane. His family highlighted his dedication to his craft and his personal values, noting that he built his own home and maintained close friendships for six decades. He is survived by his third wife, Sharon, their children, and grandchildren. A daughter, Alexandria, predeceased him.#austin_texas #clint_eastwood #matt_clark #back_to_the_future_iii #gary_rosen
Matt Clark Dead: Actor In Scores Of Films & TV Shows Spanning 50 Years Was 89 Matt Clark, a character actor with more than 100 film and TV credits spanning decades, died March 15 in Austin. He was 89. A family representative confirmed the news to Deadline but did not disclose the cause of death. Born on November 25, 1936, in Washington, Clark served in the Army before training at the HB Studio in New York under Herbert Berghof and William Hickey. He joined the Living Theatre and worked off-Broadway before transitioning to screen roles. His film debut came with Black Like Me (1964), followed by the Oscar-winning classic In the Heat of the Night (1967), starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. Clark’s career included notable collaborations with screen legends. In 1972, he appeared alongside Robert Redford in Jeremiah Johnson and Paul Newman in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. The following year, he starred with James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson in Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid and with Burt Reynolds in White Lightning. He also shared the screen with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and Jeff Bridges in Hearts of the West (1975). Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Clark continued to appear in diverse projects. He reprised his role with Redford in Brubaker (1980), starred in Some Kind of Hero (1982), and appeared with Eastwood in Honkyytonk Man (1982). His later credits included Back to the Future III (1990), 42 (2013), and A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), which marked his final screen appearance. Clark also had a brief television role as a dim-witted co-worker of the titular star on the first season of The Jeff Foxworthy Show (1995-96). He did not return for the show’s second season, which aired on NBC in 1996-97.#matt_clark #herbert_berghof #william_hickey #living_theatre #hb_studio
Back to the Future' star Matt Clark dead at 89 Matt Clark, the actor best known for his role as Chester the bartender in Back to the Future Part III, has died at the age of 89. His family confirmed his passing on Sunday, stating he succumbed to complications from back surgery at his home in Austin, Texas. The actor, who appeared in over 120 films and television shows throughout his career, was remembered for his dedication to his craft and his personal values. Clark’s family shared that he placed great importance on working with individuals who cherished their families, a principle he upheld throughout his professional life. They noted that he lived “on his terms,” a sentiment that reflected his approach to both his career and personal relationships. His wife, Sharon Mays, whom he married in 2000, and their daughter, Amiee Clark, are among those left behind. Clark was also previously married to Erica Lann from 1958 to 1966 and to Carol Trieste for a brief period in 1968. In Back to the Future Part III, Clark portrayed Chester, a character who intersected with Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd’s Doctor Emmett Brown during a pivotal scene set in the Old West. The 1990 film, which marked the conclusion of the iconic trilogy, remains one of Clark’s most recognizable roles. Beyond his work in the Back to the Future series, he appeared in a wide range of films and television programs, including The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), and Jeremiah Johnson (1972). His filmography also included Brubaker (1980), A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), and the sitcom The Jeff Foxworthy Show (1990s). Clark’s versatility extended to smaller roles, such as appearances in Little House on the Prairie and other television series.#matt_clark #sharon_mays #amiee_clark #erica_lann #carol_triste
