"Back to the Future" star has died - Legendary Western actor Matt Clark dies at 89 after iconic six-decade career
American actor Matt Clark has died at the age of 89. Known for his extensive work in Western films and television, he passed away on Sunday at his home in Austin, Texas. His career spanned over six decades, with more than 120 productions to his name.
Clark's death followed complications from back surgery, as confirmed by his wife, Sharon Mays. His final on-screen role came in the 2014 Western comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West. Before that, he built a reputation for memorable performances in classic Westerns, often sharing the screen with Hollywood legends.
He appeared alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys, Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter, The Beguiled, and Honkytonk Man, and Paul Newman in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. His filmography also included roles in Jeremiah Johnson and Brubaker with Robert Redford, as well as Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid alongside Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn. Beyond the big screen, Clark became a familiar face on television, featuring in series like The Waltons, Magnum, P.I., and The Practice. He also held recurring parts in the ABC sitcoms Grace Under Fire and The Jeff Foxworthy Show. One of his most recognisable roles was as the bartender in Back to the Future Part III, set in the Wild West.
Clark is survived by his third wife, Sharon, as well as four children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His contributions to film and television, particularly in the Western genre, leave behind a lasting legacy in entertainment. The actor's work remains part of a vast body of productions that defined an era of cinema and television.
