Beloved actor Matt Clark, remembered by many fans for his role in Back to the Future Part III, has died at the age of 89.
Clark’s family confirmed that the actor passed away on Sunday, March 15, after suffering complications from surgery earlier that day.
According to TMZ, Clark died at his home in Austin, Texas following complications from back surgery. His family described him as an “actor’s actor” who never chased fame or the spotlight. Instead, they said he simply loved the craft and felt grateful for the long career he built in Hollywood.
They added that Clark “died the way he lived — on his terms.”
Many movie fans recognize Clark from his appearance as Chester the bartender in Back to the Future Part III, the final installment of the iconic trilogy starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. In the memorable Western-themed scene, Clark plays the nervous saloon bartender who shrinks back in fear as the ruthless outlaw Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen storms into the bar looking for trouble.
But that role was just one moment in a career that spanned more than five decades.
Clark built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most reliable character actors, particularly in Westerns. His film career began in the early 1960s when he appeared as a mugger in the 1964 drama Black Like Me. From there, he went on to appear in a long list of films including The Cowboys, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, Hearts of the West, The Legend of the Lone Ranger, and Let’s Get Harry.
He also appeared in a number of well-known movies alongside major stars, including Jamie Lee Curtis in Love Letters, Charlie Sheen in Cadence, and Laurence Fishburne in the legal drama Class Action. Later in his career, he played the character Luther in the baseball biopic 42.
Clark’s final big-screen appearance came in the 2014 comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West, where he played an Old Prospector.
Television audiences also saw plenty of Clark over the years. He appeared in a wide range of classic series, including Bonanza, N.Y.P.D., The Rookies, Little House on the Prairie, Dog and Cat, Magnum P.I., and many others.
In the early 1990s, he had a recurring role as Emmet Kelly on the sitcom Grace Under Fire. He later appeared in 12 episodes of The Jeff Foxworthy Show as Walt Bacon. His final television role came in 2000 on the medical drama Chicago Hope.
Born in Washington, D.C., Clark served in the U.S. Army before attending George Washington University. Although he eventually left school, he went on to carve out a successful career in film and television. In addition to acting, he also worked behind the camera, directing the 1988 film Da and writing the story for the 1970 movie Homer.
Clark is survived by his wife, Sharon Mays, whom he married in 2000, as well as five children. His extended family also includes actress Kimberly Beck, known for her roles in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter and Independence Day, who is his daughter-in-law.