Gary Clarke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary Clarke
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Clarke as Steve Hill on The Virginian
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| Born |
Clarke Frederick L'Amoreaux
August 16, 1933 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for | Michael Shayne and The Virginian |
| Spouse(s) | Marilyn (1954-bef. 1964) Pat Woodell (1964-bef. 1978) Jerrene (1991-present) |
| Children | 5 |
Gary Clarke (born Clarke Frederick L'Amoreaux on August 16, 1933) is an American actor. He is most famous for playing Steve Hill in the NBC Western TV series The Virginian. In this show, he acted alongside James Drury and Doug McClure.
Contents
Early Life and Acting Dreams
Clarke was born in Los Angeles, California. His family had French and Mexican roots. He grew up in East Los Angeles. While in high school, he started thinking about becoming an actor. After graduating, he got a part in a play at a community theater in San Gabriel, California. This led to more acting roles in plays in Glendale. During this time, Clarke also worked as a machinist and a newspaper deliveryman.
Film and Television Career
Gary Clarke started his acting career in movies in 1958. His first film was Dragstrip Riot. He got the main role after an agent saw him perform in Glendale. He remembered reading for the part for five days straight!
Early Roles and TV Shows
He appeared in other films like How to Make a Monster and Missile to the Moon (both 1958). He also acted in Date Bait (1960). Clarke was a contract actor for Universal Pictures.
From 1960 to 1961, he played Dick Hamilton in the NBC TV series Michael Shayne. This show was about a private detective. After that, he appeared in the Western series Laramie.
The Virginian and Other Westerns
Clarke became well-known for his role as Steve Hill in the long-running TV Western series The Virginian. He was on the show from 1962 to 1964. Later, he played Captain Richards in the 1967 ABC Western series Hondo.
Writing for Television
Gary Clarke also worked as a writer! He said he helped write the movie Strike Me Deadly (1963). Later, using his birth name, Clarke Frederick L'Amoreaux, he wrote several scripts for the funny spy show Get Smart. He even helped create the popular character Hymie the Robot for the show. Most of his scripts for Get Smart were about Hymie.
Later Career and Recent Projects
In the 1980s and 1990s, Clarke wrote and produced TV public-service announcements. These are short films that share important messages, like "Youth at Risk." He also narrated short films such as "Promoting Healthy Behavior." He appeared in TV series like Dynasty and The Young Riders. In The Young Riders, he had a role that appeared in four episodes.
In the 2010s, he acted in films like The Paperboy (2012) and Parkland (2013).
In 2014, Gary Clarke directed a TV pilot called Billy and the Bandit. This show was about a young boy who imagined himself in the American Old West. Some of his old co-stars from The Virginian, like James Drury and Roberta Shore, were in the pilot.
Singing Career
While he was on the show Michael Shayne, Gary Clarke released a song called "Tomorrow May Never Come." Later, while acting in The Virginian, he sang a cover of the show's theme song.
Personal Life
In July 2003, Gary Clarke and his The Virginian co-stars, James Drury, Roberta Shore, and Randy Boone, were special guests at a Western Film Fair.
Gary Clarke has been married three times and has five children. He married his first wife, Marilyn, when he was a teenager. They had three sons: Jeff, Dennis, and David. His second wife was actress Pat Woodell. He married his third wife, Jerrene, in 1991. They have two daughters, Ava and Natalie.
As of 2011, Gary Clarke lives in Austin, Texas.
Images for kids
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Clarke as Steve Hill on The Virginian
