Fred Clark

Early years:

Clark was born in Lincoln, California, the son of Fred Clark Sr. He attended Stanford University, with plans to become a doctor, but participation with a college production of Yellow Jack diverted his attention to acting. He changed his major to drama and later received a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. While there, he was elected his class's most promising actor.

Among his movies were Ride the Pink Horse (1947), Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948), Flamingo Road (1949), White Heat (1949), Sunset Boulevard (1950), A Place in the Sun (1951), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955), How to Be Very, Very Popular (1955), Daddy Long Legs (1955), Auntie Mame (1958), and Visit to a Small Planet (1960).

Although he continued performing in movies during the 1960s (including a role in Hammer Film Productions' The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb in 1964 and John Goldfarb, Please Come Home in 1965) he performed more often for television, as a regular on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show as neighbor Harry Morton (until 1953), and guest roles for The Twilight Zone, The Beverly Hillbillies, Going My Way, The Addams Family, and I Dream of Jeannie.

In 1962, he and Bea Benaderet, another Burns and Allen veteran, played Mr. and Mrs. Springer in the episode "Continental Dinner," the series finale of the CBS situation comedy Pete and Gladys, featuring Harry Morgan and Cara Williams. Clark had a regular role in the 1966 ABC sitcom The Double Life of Henry Phyfe as the "Central Intelligence Service" boss of a hapless conscripted spy played by Red Buttons.

Clark's Broadway stage credits included Absence of a Cello (1964), Viva Madison Avenue! (1960), Romanoff And Juliet (1957), Ringside Seat (1938), What A Life (1938), and Schoolhouse on the Lot (1938).

Clark was married to actress Benay Venuta from 1952–1962, then model Gloria Glaser from 1966 until his death from complications of liver disease in Santa Monica, California.

Clark has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work for television, at 1711 Vine Street.