His family confirmed that the actor passed away Sunday morning at his home in Austin, Texas, after suffering complications following back surgery.
Clark had a brief but memorable role as Chester the Bartender in the 1990 time-travel sequel, which starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, and Elisabeth Shue.
Throughout his long career, Clark built an impressive résumé in both film and television. He also appeared in the cult favorite The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension and played a role on the popular sitcom Grace Under Fire alongside comedian Brett Butler.
Over the decades, he shared the screen with several Hollywood icons, including Clint Eastwood, Jeff Bridges, and John Wayne.
Clark’s final film role came in A Million Ways to Die in the West, which featured Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, and Amanda Seyfried.
He made his big-screen debut in Black Like Me before appearing in In the Heat of the Night, directed by Norman Jewison, where he portrayed a Southern character. His filmography quickly expanded with roles in projects such as The Bridge at Remagen, The Grissom Gang, White Lightning, and Emperor of the North.
In 1977, he appeared in Outlaw Blues with Peter Fonda and Susan Saint James. The following year, he had a role in The Driver directed by Walter Hill.
During the 1980s, Clark continued to appear in several notable films, including Some Kind of Hero, Country, Return to Oz, and the cult sci-fi adventure The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
Although his role in Back to the Future Part III was small, fans remember it fondly. Later in his career, he also appeared in 42, a biographical sports drama about baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson and his historic breakthrough in Major League Baseball.
Director Gary Rosen paid tribute to Clark, calling him the kind of performer who embodied Hollywood’s golden era. In a statement, Rosen described him as a distinctive character actor who often made his scenes unforgettable—even alongside major stars like Rod Steiger, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, and John Wayne.
He also appeared in several television projects, including The Jeff Foxworthy Show, The Waltons, Magnum, P.I., The Practice, Chicago Hope, as well as the miniseries The Winds of War and Barbarians at the Gate.
Clark is survived by his third wife, Sharon, whom he married in 2000, along with his children: daughter Aimee, a film producer, and sons Matthias, a musician, Jason, a producer on the Ted, and Seth, a film editor. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, a great-grandson, and three stepchildren. His daughter Alexandria died before him.
In a heartfelt statement, Clark’s family reflected on his life, saying he built his own home with his hands and maintained friendships that lasted more than six decades. They described him as a strong and complex man who could be tough at times but always stayed true to his values and his love for his family.
