Ken Clark (1927-2009)

biography

Born in Neffs, Ohio, on June 4, 1927, beefy actor Kenneth Donovan Clark acted in a number of low-budget films during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1955, Clark embarked on a film career in Hollywood, signing with 20th Century-Fox and appearing in a string of popular films. Earlier, Clark had been a physique model. In 1956, his busiest year, Clark appeared in five films, mostly westerns for Fox. However, by the late 1950s Fox, as with most other studios, had dropped many of its contract players, including Clark. He then went into low-budget sci-fi films, such as Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959; with Yvette Vickers and Bruno VeSota) and 12 to the Moon (1960; with Tom Conway). He also did quite a bit of television work in the late 1950s, even shooting a television pilot, titled Brock Callahan. Unfortunately, the series was not picked up for broadcast.

Produced by Roger Corman, Attack of the Giant Leeches was released as a short feature, with a running time of 62 minutes. The cast of Leeches includes beautiful Yvette Vickers in the role of the town tramp. Also look for Bruno Ve Sota as Vickers' long-suffering husband. Columbia Pictures's science fiction release 12 to the Moon has an impressive cast, but special effects suffer from its low budget. Nonetheless, it's not a bad film, and Clark and the talented cast make it watchable. But these films did not help his career, so in the early 1960s, Clark went to Europe to star in a number of movies, enjoying the success that had eluded him in Hollywood.

the films of ken clark

South Pacific (1958)

Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)

12 to the Moon (1960)

The Road to Fort Alamo (1964)

Secret Agent FX-18 (1964)

None But the Lonely Spy (1964)

Agent 077--Fury in the Orient (1965)

Agent 077--Mission Bloody Mary (1965)

Special Mission Lady Chaplin (1966)

Tiffany Memorandum (1967)

Desert Commandos (1967)

later years

Leaving Hollywood behind for the greener pastures of European films, Clark became very popular in spy thrillers and spaghetti westerns in the 1960s, remaining in Italy to act in films and television programs. Ken Clark passed away from a heart attack in Rome on June 1, 2009, at the age of 81. Clark had just wrapped shooting on an Italian television show at the time of his death. At this time, it is unknown if Clark left any survivors. In 1962 and 1963, Clark was romantically linked to actress Shelley Winters.

ken clark films available from movies unlimited

Lock Up, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Includes the episodes "Presumption of Guilt," "Death in the Streets" with Ken Clark, "The Compulsion Killer," and "Top Secret." 104 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season Three [DVD](1957) DVD
All 39 episodes from the series's third season--including "The Glass Eye" (with Jessica Tandy and William Shatner), "Together" (with Joseph Cotten), "Foghorn" (with Michael Rennie), "A Dip in the Poole" (with Fay Wray), and "Little White Frock" (with Julie Adams)--are collected in a five-disc set. 17 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH).
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season Two [DVD](1956) DVD
All 39 episodes from the series's second season--including "Kill with Kindness" (with Hume Cronyn), "Toby" (with Jessica Tandy), "Number Twenty-Two" (with Rip Torn), "A Man Greatly Beloved" (with Cedric Hardwicke), "The Indestructible Mr. Weems" (with Robert Middleton), and "A Little Sleep" (with Vic Morrow)--are collected in a five-disc set. 17 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH).
Love Me Tender [DVD](1956) DVD
Elvis Presley makes his feature film debut in this Civil War-era musical drama. The King plays Clint Reno, a Texas man too young to fight in the war. Clint marries his older brother Vance's sweetheart after the family hears reports of his death on the battlefield. When Vance turns out to be alive, his return is fraught with emotional turmoil and complicated further by a missing government payroll stolen by Vance's comrades-in-arms. Songs include "Poor Boy," "We're Gonna Move," and the title tune. Richard Egan, Debra Paget, and Robert Middleton also star. 89 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Between Heaven And Hell [DVD](1956) DVD
Expert war drama stars Robert Wagner as a prejudiced Southern landowner who learns the error of his ways while fighting in the Pacific during World War II. Supporting cast includes Terry Moore, Broderick Crawford, Buddy Ebsen, Harvey Lembeck, Frank Gorshin and Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. 94 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; theatrical trailer; interactive menus; scene access.
The Proud Ones [DVD](1956) DVD
Robert Ryan stars in this dramatic oater as Marshal Silver, struggling to maintain law and order in a quiet Kansas town after the arrival of trail herds from Texas. Silver faces additional danger when Thad Anderson (Jeffrey Hunter), the son of a gunman killed by Silver, comes into town. Silver tries to take the young cowboy under his wing, but the thirst for revenge may prove too strong. 94 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround stereo, French mono, Spanish mono; Subtitles: Spanish; theatrical trailers.
The Last Wagon [DVD](1956) DVD
Condemned to death for murder, Comanche Todd (Richard Widmark) becomes the only hope for a group of settlers who must travel through treacherous Indian lands after Todd is chained to their wagon train for revenging himself against the men who murdered his wife. Having no reason to trust a white man who has lived most of his life among the Indians, the settlers nevertheless put their fates into his hands. Susan Kohner, Tommy Rettig also star. 98 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Spanish; photo gallery.
The True Story Of Jesse James [DVD](1957) DVD
"Rebel Without a Cause" director Nicholas Ray turns to one of history's most notorious rebels--Jesse James--for this thrill-packed oater. The frontier biodrama stars Robert Wagner as James and deals with the final 18 years of the bandit's life, as he struggles to evade the law, leave his life of crime, and return to his wife (Hope Lange) and mother (Agnes Moorehead). Jeffrey Hunter, Alan Hale, Jr., and John Carradine also star. AKA: "The James Brothers." 92 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; newsreel footage; theatrical trailer.
South Pacific (Special Edition) [DVD](1958) DVD
Popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about life on a lonely Pacific island post during World War II where a young Navy nurse falls for a French plantation owner. Can their love survive, even as the shadow of war looms ever closer? Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor and Ray Walston star. Songs include "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Happy Talk," and more; based on James Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific." Includes the original theatrical release and the roadshow version; 151 min./172 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.0, Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; "making of" documentary; featurettes; photo gallery; sing-along songs; theatrical trailer; more. Two-disc set.
South Pacific (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray](1958)
Popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about life on a lonely Pacific island post during World War II where a young Navy nurse falls for a French plantation owner. Can their love survive, even as the shadow of war looms ever closer? Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor and Ray Walston star. Songs include "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Happy Talk," and more; based on James Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific." Includes the original theatrical release and the roadshow version; 157 min./172 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio, Dolby Digital 4.0, Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese; audio commentary; featurettes; screen test; photo gallery; theatrical trailer. Two-disc set.
The Attack Of The Giant Leeches [DVD](1959) DVD
No, it's not about 50-foot lawyers! A dismal Southern swamp is the home for these bloodsucking behemoths who joyfully drain the poor white trash who live there. Charlie Allnut's least favorite film. Bruno Ve Sota, Ken Clark and Yvette Vickers star in this Roger and Gene Corman production. AKA: "Attack of the Giant Leeches." 62 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access. Plays All Regions.
Hercules Against The Mongols [DVD](1963) DVD
After warlord Genghis Khan dies, his three sons go on a murderous rampage, killing innocent people and jailing Princess Bianca until they decide which one will marry her and inherit her land. Her brother escapes and tells Hercules about the troubles. Then Herc gets all medieval on them. Mark Forest, Grazia Maria Spina and Renato Rossini star. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
Hercules Against The Barbarians [DVD](1964) DVD
The same cast of "Hercules Against the Mongols" gets together for another furious loincloth foray featuring Mark Forest as Hercules. Here he helps the Poles save their beloved Kracow from Mongols led by Genghis Khan's son, Kubali. Ken Clark and Renato Rossini also star in this anachronistic thrill-a-thon. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
Desert Commandos [DVD](1967) DVD
When Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin become the targets of an assassination commando unit, The only one who knows of the mission is Captain Fritz Shuller, a Nazi officer. But will his conflicting morality get in the way of his assignment when his men face off against Allied forces? Find out in this gripping World War II drama from Italy that stars Ken Clark, Horst Frank, Jeanne Valerie. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
A Man Called Sledge [DVD](1970) DVD
Rousing Western directed by Vic Morrow stars James Garner and Dennis Weaver as outlaws after the stolen gold that has been swiped by the other members of their gang. Claude Akins, John Marley and Laura Antonelli also star in this colorful actioner. 92 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Japanese.
Tarzana, The Wild Girl [DVD](1972) DVD
Seventeen years after a plane crash, an African expedition searches for the lost granddaughter of a wealthy Englishman. What they discover is a scantily-dressed wild woman (wow!) living freely in the jungle. Lurid adventure saga stars Ken Clark, Fran Poles. 83 min.

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ken clark photos and posters available

filmography

FILM
A Man Called Sledge (1970) with James Garner; directed by Vic Morrow
Tarzana, The Wild Girl (1969) with Raf Baldassarre
Desert Commando (1967) with Horst Frank
The Fuller Report (1967) with Jess Hahn
Operation Lady Chaplin (1967) with Jacques Bergerac, Daniela Bianchi and Helga Line
The Tiffany Memorandum (1967)
Gunman Called Nebraska (1966) with Red Ross; directed by Mario Bava
Agent 077--Fury in the Orient (1965) with Margaret Lee
Agent 077---Mission Bloody Mary (1965) with Helga Line
Apache Fury (1965)
None but The Lonely Spy (1964) with Bella Cortez
Secret Agent FX-18 (1964) with Jany Clair
The Road to Fort Alamo (1964) with Jany Clair; directed by Mario Bava
Hercules Against the Barbarians (1964) with Mark Forest
Hercules the Invincible (1963) with Dan Vadis and Red Ross
Hercules Against the Mongols (1963) with Mark Forest
Giacobbe ed Esau (1963) with Massimo Serato
The Defeat of the Barbarians (1962) with Moira Orfei
Twelve to the Moon (1960) with Francis X. Bushman, Tom Conway, and Bob Montgomery, Jr.; once aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000
Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) with Yvette Vickers and Bruno VeSota. This film was Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode #406
South Pacific (1958) with Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, Doug McClure, Richard Harrison, and Ron Ely
Love Me Tender (1956) with Elvis Presley, Richard Egan, Debra Paget, William Campbell, and Bruce Bennett
The Last Wagon (1956) with Richard Widmark and Nick Adams
The Proud Ones (1956) with Jeffrey Hunter, Robert Ryan, Virginia Mayo, Walter Brennan, Arthur O'Connell, Edward Platt, and Whit Bissell
On the Threshold of Space (1956) with Guy Madison, Virginia Leith, Martin Milner, John Hodiak, Dean Jagger, and Warren Stevens
Between Heaven and Hell (1956) with Robert Wagner, Terry Moore, Harvey Lembeck, Broderick Crawford, Buddy Ebsen, Brad Dexter, Mark Damon, Skip Homeier, L.Q. Jones, and Tod Andrews

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Insomnia, originally aired May 8, 1960
Sea Hunt, episode Strong Box, originally aired March 19, 1960
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, episode Circle of Evil, originally aired March 16, 1960
Lock Up, episode Death in the Streets, originally aired December 19, 1959
Sugarfoot, episode Apollo with a Gun, originally aired December 8, 1959
Adventure Showcase, episode Brock Callahan, originally aired August 11, 1959
Highway Patrol, episode Detour to Death, originally aired June 15, 1959
Colt .45, episode The Saga of Sam Bass, originally aired May 17, 1959
M Squad, episode Accusation, originally aired June 13, 1958
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Lamb to the Slaughter, originally aired April 13, 1958
Suspicion, episode The Eye of Truth, originally aired March 17, 1958
The Gale Storm Show, episode Ride 'Em Cowgirl, originally aired February 22, 1958
The Thin Man, episode Ship Shakedown, originally aired February 21, 1958
Death Valley Days, episode Yankee Pirate, originally aired February 13, 1958
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode The Motive, originally aired January 26, 1958
General Electric Theater, episode The Iron Horse, originally aired November 24, 1957
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode The Dangerous People, originally aired June 23, 1957
Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre, episode Night of Terror, originally aired May 14, 1957
The 20th Century-Fox Hour, episode Deep Water, originally aired May 1, 1957
The Jack Benny Show, episode Jack Hunts for Uranium, originally aired December 4, 1955

ken clark film now showing

Watch Ken Clark's 1959 horror film Attack of the Giant Leeches