Bryan Clark (April 5, 1929 – September 9, 2022),[1] sometimes credited as Bryan E. Clark, was an American film, television, and stage actor.

Bryan Clark
BornApril 5, 1929
DiedSeptember 9, 2022 (aged 93)
Other namesBryan E. Clark
EducationFordham University
OccupationActor
SpouseJo Deodato Clark
Children5

Early life and education

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Clark was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the only child of pharmacist Bryan Clark and Maybelle Chester Clark. He spent many summers at Eugene O'Neil Playwright's Conference and studied singing, acting, and dancing. Clark performed with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall at the age of 15 and also played the clarinet in a big band while attending Fordham University.[1]

Career

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Over a career spanning several decades, his film roles included All the President's Men (1976),[2] Trading Places (1983), Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991), Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991).

On TV, his guest and recurring appearances in many television shows include Cheers, where he played the bartender Earl in Season 9, Wings, Becker, Suddenly Susan, St. Elsewhere, Who's the Boss?, The Nanny, Murphy Brown (playing Corky's dad), and Chicago Hope.[3]

Known for his "striking" resemblance to Ronald Reagan,[4] he was often cast as him in various productions, including Guts and Glory: The Rise and Fall of Oliver North (1989), Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991), Pizza Man (1991), and an episode of Dark Skies ("Bloodlines").[5][6][7][8]

Clark was also known for being a spokesman for Folgers coffee in the 1980s and other friendly personalities in various commercials, including one for Tavern on the Green,[9] and various stage roles.[10][11] The New York Times complimented his performance in the 1978 Off-Broadway play Winning.[11]

Personal life

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Clark was married to actress Jo Deodato Clark for 65 years and they had five children.[1]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 All the President's Men Arguing Attorney
1976 Brotherhood of Death Sheriff
1983 Trading Places Official #2
1986 Sweet Liberty Governor Swayze
1987 Mankillers Williams
1990 Megaville President Hughes
1991 Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Dr. Permutter
1991 Pizza Man Ronald Reagan
1992 The Unnamable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter Prof. Thurber
1992 Body of Evidence Clerk
1992 Unbecoming Age Sam
1993 Sugar Hill Dean
1997 Bombshell Male News Anchor
2004 The Remembering Movies Grandpa Lou
2005 The Civilization of Maxwell Bright Justice of the Peace
2014 Rickover: The Birth of Nuclear Power Reagan

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1974 Lincoln: Trial by Fire Stephen W. Kearny Television film
1978 The Critical List CIA Assassin
1981 Ryan's Hope Dr. Jerry Markus Episode #1.1658
1986 Magnum, P.I. Richard Lindley Episode: "A.A.P.I."
1987 St. Elsewhere Dr. Watson 3 episodes
1988, 1989 Days of Our Lives Walter Morgan / Editor 2 episodes
1989 Guts and Glory: The Rise and Fall of Oliver North Ronald Reagan Television film
1989 Free Spirit Judge Douglas Crater Episode: "Not with My Sister You Don't"
1990 Alien Nation The Senator Episode: "Spirit of '95"
1990 Wings Security Guard Episode: "Return to Nantucket: Part 1"
1990 Shattered Dreams Martin Harris Television film
1990 Cheers Earl Episode: "Rebecca Redux"
1990 Extreme Close-Up Relative Television film
1990 Charles in Charge Professor Haskins Episode: "Charles Be DeMille"
1990 Who's the Boss? Chief Baxter Episode: "Four Alarm Tony"
1990–1996 Murphy Brown Edward Sherwood 3 episodes
1991 Without Warning: The James Brady Story Ronald Reagan Television film
1991 Knots Landing Don Bailey Episode: "Holiday on Ice"
1992 Harry and the Hendersons Gipper Episode: "The Blue Parrot"
1992 Jake and the Fatman Judge #2 Episode: "Stormy Weather: Part 2"
1992 Woman with a Past Boss Television film
1992 Quicksand: No Escape Commissioner Freeman
1992 Eerie, Indiana IRS Man Episode: "Zombies in P.J.s"
1993 Bob Father 2 episodes
1993, 1995 Grace Under Fire Emmet Kelley / Charlie
1994 Another Midnight Run Doctor Television film
1994 The Nanny Auditioner #1 Episode: "The Gym Teacher"
1994 A Time to Heal Mr. Barton Television film
1995 Thunder Alley Wrong Way Burdett Episode: "Are We There Yet?"
1995 Hope & Gloria Pastor Earl Episode: "I Never Sang for Our Father"
1995 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Older Man Episode: "Individual Responsibility"
1995 Saved by the Bell: The New Class Captain Episode: "Green Card"
1996–1998 Suddenly Susan Mr. Richmond 3 episodes
1995 Picket Fences Bishop of Rome Episode: "Witness for the Prosecution"
1997 Coach Mr. Waterman Episode: "The Body Gardener"
1997 Dark Skies Ronald Reagan Episode: "Blood Lines"
1997, 1998 The Practice Attorney / Stanley Ryerson 2 episodes
1999 Chicago Hope Dr. Alonzo DeGriff Episode: "Oh What a Piece of Work Is Man"
2000 Becker Guard Episode: "Panic on the 86th"
2000 Normal, Ohio Morris Episode: "Just Another Normal Christmas"

References

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  1. ^ a b c admin (2022-09-14). "Bryan Clark Obituary - Hollywood, California". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  2. ^ Entertainment.ie. "Bryan Clark - About". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  3. ^ "Bryan Clark". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  4. ^ The Free Lance-Star. The Free Lance-Star.
  5. ^ The Victoria Advocate. The Victoria Advocate.
  6. ^ Herald-Journal. Herald-Journal.
  7. ^ The Victoria Advocate. The Victoria Advocate.
  8. ^ Meyer, Stefan A. (1997). Sam's TV Corner. Herald-Journal.
  9. ^ The Day. The Day.
  10. ^ The Day. The Day.
  11. ^ a b Gussow, Mel (1978-12-04). "Theater: 'Winning,' a Comedy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
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