Robert Irby Clarke (June 1, 1920 – June 11, 2005) was an American actor best known for his cult classic science fiction films of the 1950s. In succeeding decades he appeared in more conventional television, and in the " The King Family Show," a variety show based on the family of which his wife Alyce King Clarke was a member.

Early life

Clarke was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He decided at an early age that he wanted to be an actor, but nevertheless suffered from stage fright in his first school productions. He attended Kemper Military School and College, planning to make a career in the service, but dropped out after his asthma prevented his serving in World War II. He later attended the University of Oklahoma, where he acted in radio plays, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he appeared on stage. He did not graduate, but hitched a ride to California to try to break into the motion picture business.

Career

After screen tests at

20th Century-Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...

and Columbia Pictures, Clarke landed a berth as a contract player at RKO Radio Pictures. His first credited role was ''

The Falcon in Hollywood ''The Falcon in Hollywood'' is a 1944 crime film directed by Gordon Douglas and stars Tom Conway in his recurring role as a suave amateur sleuth, supported by Barbara Hale and Veda Ann Borg. The film was the 10th of 16 in Falcon detective series ...

'' (1944), then went on to play small roles in ''

The Body Snatcher "The Body Snatcher" is a short story by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894). First published in ''The Pall Mall Gazette'' in December 1884, its characters were based on criminals in the employ of real-life surgeon Robert K ...

'' (1945), ''

Bedlam Bedlam, a word for an environment of insanity, is a term that may refer to: Places * Bedlam, North Yorkshire, a village in England * Bedlam, Shropshire, a small hamlet in England * Bethlem Royal Hospital, a London psychiatric institution and the ...

'' (1946), and '' Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome'' (1947). When RKO dropped his option three years later, he began freelancing. In the 1950s, in addition to acting in genre films of all types, he is known for having appeared in several classic science fiction films, including '' The Man from Planet X'' (1951), ''

The Incredible Petrified World ''The Incredible Petrified World'' is a 1959 science fiction film produced and directed by Jerry Warren, and starring John Carradine and Robert Clarke. The film follows four explorers who travel down into the depths of the sea and get stranded in ...

'' (1957), ''

The Astounding She-Monster ''The Astounding She-Monster'' is a 1958Warren, Bill (1986). "Keep Watching The Skies Volume 2". McFarland & Co., Inc. . Page 731 science fiction horror film starring Robert Clarke and directed, co-written and produced by Ronnie Ashcroft for Hol ...

'' (1957), '' From the Earth to the Moon'' (1958, narrator), '' Beyond the Time Barrier'' (1960), and ''

The Hideous Sun Demon ''The Hideous Sun Demon'' (sometimes billed as ''The Sun Demon'', or in the UK as ''Blood on His Lips'') is a 1958 American science fiction horror film produced, directed, and cowritten by Robert Clarke, who also starred in the title role. It al ...

'' (1958), which Clarke wrote, directed and produced. He also appeared in the cult film '' Captain John Smith and Pocahontas'' (1953) as John Rolfe, Clarke revealed in his 1996 autobiography ''To 'B' or Not to 'B (co-written by Tom Weaver) that he made ''The Hideous Sun Demon'' for less than $50,000, including $500 for the rubberized lizard suit he wore. He shot the movie over 12 weekends to get two days' use of rental camera equipment for one day's fee. The ''Hideous Sun Demon'' was featured in the 1982 movie ''

It Came from Hollywood ''It Came from Hollywood'' is a 1982 American comedy documentary film compiling clips from various B movies. Written by Dana Olsen and directed by Malcolm Leo and Andrew Solt, the film features wraparound segments and narration by several famous ...

'', and with Clarke's permission, was re- dubbed into the 1983 comedy ''What's Up, Hideous Sun Demon'' (aka ''Revenge of the Sun Demon'') featuring the voices of

Jay Leno James Douglas Muir Leno (; born April 28, 1950) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and actor. After doing stand-up comedy for years, he became the host of NBC's ''The Tonight Show'' from 1992 to 2009. Beginning in September 2009 ...

and Cam Clarke reprising his father's role. He later appeared in ''Alienator'' in 1990, ''Midnight Movie Massacre'' in 1988 and ''Frankenstein Island'' in 1981. From the 1950s through the 1980s, he regularly appeared on television series, including appearing on '' The King Family Show'' (1965), and he sang on their tie-in albums. He made two guest appearances on '' Perry Mason'', including the role of circus co-owner and murderer Jerry Franklin in the 1960 episode, "The Case of the Clumsy Clown" and as Jack Harper in the 1957 episode "The Case of the Crooked Candle". Other television appearances included '' The Lone Ranger'', '' The Cisco Kid'', '' Men Into Space'', '' The Man and the Challenge'', ''

Hawaiian Eye ''Hawaiian Eye'' is an American detective television series that ran from October 1959 to April 1963 on the ABC television network. Premise Private investigator Tracy Steele (Anthony Eisley) and his half-Hawaiian partner, Tom Lopaka (Robert Con ...

'', '' 77 Sunset Strip'', '' Wendy and Me'', ''

General Hospital ''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera. It is listed in ''Guinness World Records'' as the list of longest-running television shows by category, longest-running American soap opera in pro ...

'', '' Marcus Welby, M.D.'', '' Dragnet'', ''

Adam-12 ''Adam-12'' is an American television police procedural crime drama television series created by Robert A. Cinader and Jack Webb. The series follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers Pete Malloy and Jim Reed as they patrol the stre ...

'', '' Sea Hunt'', '' Ripcord'', '' Sky King'', ''

Checkmate Checkmate (often shortened to mate) is any game position in chess and other chess-like games in which a player's king is in check (threatened with ) and there is no possible escape. Checkmating the opponent wins the game. In chess, the king is ...

'', '' M Squad'', '' Daktari'', ''

Baa Baa Black Sheep "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" is an English nursery rhyme, the earliest printed version of which dates from around 1744. The words have not changed very much in two and a half centuries. It is sung to a variant of the 1761 French melody '' Ah! vous di ...

'', '' Hawaii Five-O'', '' Tabitha'', '' Trapper John, M.D.'', '' Fantasy Island'', '' Dallas'', '' Simon & Simon'', '' Knight Rider'', '' Murder She Wrote'', ''

Matt Houston ''Matt Houston'' was an American crime drama television series starring Lee Horsley as the title character, a wealthy oilman who decides to hold a side job as a private investigator. Created by Lawrence Gordon and produced by Aaron Spelling, i ...

'', '' Hotel'', '' Dynasty'', ''

Falcon Crest ''Falcon Crest'' is an American prime time television soap opera that aired for nine seasons on CBS from December 4, 1981, to May 17, 1990. The series revolves around the feuding factions of the wealthy Gioberti/Channing family in the California ...

'', and dozens of others. The 1997 biographical documentary ''Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula'' featured narration which he provided. Clarke's last appearance was in the movie ''

The Naked Monster ''The Naked Monster'' is a 2005 American ultra low-budget science-fiction and horror comedy fan film written by Ted Newsom and directed by Newsom and Wayne Berwick as an homage to and spoof of the "giant monster-on-the-loose" films of the 1950s. ...

'', a send-up of the classic science fiction films of the 1950s, in 2005. In the mid-1960s, he served as spokesperson for a furniture and appliance store chain called Gold's Giant Stores. His autobiography, ''To "B" or Not to "B": A Film Actor's Odyssey'', was published in 1996. In the late it's Clarke co-wrote "The Hideous She Demon" with Michael Goodell, published in Graphic Novella format for EMGEE Comics, and completed as a Screenplay/Shooting Script for EMGEE Studios and Krashenburn Films.

Personal life

Clarke married Alyce King in 1956. They remained wed until her death in 1996. He was the father of actor and voice artist Cam Clarke.

Death

Clarke died June 11, 2005, at his home in

Valley Village, California Valley Village is a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, located within the San Fernando Valley. History Founding According to Elke Garman, co-president of the Valley Village Homeowners Association in 1991, the history of Valley Village wen ...

from complications of diabetes. He was 85.

Selected filmography

*''

'' (1944) - Perc Saunders - Assistant Director *'' What a Blonde'' (1945) - Man (scenes deleted) *'' The Enchanted Cottage'' (1945) - Marine Corporal *''

'' (1945) - Richardson - Medical Student (uncredited) *''

Zombies on Broadway ''Zombies on Broadway'' (or ''Loonies on Broadway'' in the UK) is a 1945 American zombie comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas. It stars RKO's imitation Abbott and Costello, Alan Carney and Wally Brown, as a pair of men who are tasked with f ...

'' (1945) - Wimp (uncredited) *'' Those Endearing Young Charms'' (1945) - Pilot (uncredited) *'' Back to Bataan'' (1945) - Soldier (uncredited) *'' Wanderer of the Wasteland'' (1945) - Jay Collinshaw *'' Radio Stars on Parade'' (1945) - Danny *''

First Yank Into Tokyo ''First Yank into Tokyo'' is a 1945 American war film directed by Gordon Douglas for RKO Radio Pictures, starring Tom Neal, Keye Luke, Barbara Hale, and Richard Loo. It was one of the last American films to be produced during World War II, relea ...

'' (1945) - Narrator / Prisoner Rosenbaum (uncredited) *'' Sing Your Way Home'' (1945) - Reporter at New York Dock (uncredited) *'' Man Alive'' (1945) - Cabby (uncredited) *''

A Game of Death ''A Game of Death'' is a 1945 American adventure film directed by Robert Wise and starring John Loder and Audrey Long. It is a remake of Richard Connell's 1924 short story "The Most Dangerous Game" about a madman who hunts human prey on his isl ...

'' (1945) - Helmsman *'' Ding Dong Williams'' (1946) - Club Creon Orchestra Leader (uncredited) *''

'' (1946) - Dan the Dog (uncredited) *'' Sunset Pass'' (1946) - Ash Preston *''

The Bamboo Blonde ''The Bamboo Blonde'' is a 1946 American romantic comedy directed by Anthony Mann based on an original story "Chicago Lulu" by Wayne Whittaker. A low budget production, it stars singer Frances Langford in the title role, Ralph Edwards – fro ...

'' (1946) - Jonesy, Bamboo Blonde Crewman (uncredited) *'' Step by Step'' (1946) - The Doctor (uncredited) *''

Genius at Work ''Genius at Work'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Monte Brice and Robert E. Kent. The film stars Wally Brown, Alan Carney, Anne Jeffreys, Lionel Atwill and Bela Lugosi. The film was released on October 2 ...

'' (1946) - Ralph - Radio Announcer (uncredited) *''

Lady Luck Lady Luck, a personification of luck, may refer to: Fiction and mythology * Fortuna, in Roman mythology, goddess of fortune * Tyche, in Greek mythology, goddess of fortune * Lady Luck (comics), a character created by Will Eisner Film * ''La ...

'' (1946) - Carstairs, the Confederate Officer / Messenger (uncredited) *'' Criminal Court'' (1946) - Charlie - Club Circle Dance Director *'' San Quentin'' (1946) - Tommy North *'' Code of the West'' (1947) - Harry Stockton *'' The Farmer's Daughter'' (1947) - Assistant Announcer (uncredited) *'' Desperate'' (1947) - Bus Driver (uncredited) *'' Thunder Mountain'' (1947) - Lee Jorth *'' Under the Tonto Rim'' (1947) - Hooker *'' Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome'' (1947) - Fred - Police Analyst (uncredited) *''

The Judge Steps Out ''The Judge Steps Out'' is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Boris Ingster and written by Ingster and Alexander Knox. The film stars Knox and Ann Sothern, along with George Tobias, Sharyn Moffett, Florence Bates, Frieda Inescort and Myrna ...

'' (1948) - Reporter (uncredited) *''

If You Knew Susie "If You Knew Susie" is the title of a popular song written by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer. It was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. in 1925. In the largely comic song, a man sings that he knows a certain woman named Susie to be much wilde ...

'' (1948) - Bob - Orchestra Leader (uncredited) *''

Fighting Father Dunne ''Fighting Father Dunne'' is a 1948 American biographical film about the life of Father Peter Dunne, and the creation of his News Boys Home in St. Louis, Missouri. Directed by Ted Tetzlaff, the screenplay was written by Martin Rackin and Frank ...

'' (1948) - Priest (uncredited) *''

Return of the Bad Men ''Return of the Bad Men'', also known as ''Return of the Badmen'', is a 1948 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Ray Enright and starring Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan and Anne Jeffreys.Jarlett p.192-93 A loose sequel to the 1946 fi ...

'' (1948) - Dave *'' Beyond Glory'' (1948) - Bit part (uncredited) *'' Ladies of the Chorus'' (1948) - Peter Winthrop (uncredited) *'' Riders of the Range'' (1950) - Harry Willis *'' Champagne for Caesar'' (1950) - Actor in Movie at Drive-In (uncredited) *''

A Modern Marriage ''A Modern Marriage'' is a 1950 American drama film directed by Paul Landres and written by Samuel Roeca and George Wallace Sayre. The film stars Reed Hadley, Margaret Field, Robert Clarke, Nana Bryant, Burt Wenland and Christine McIntyre. It was ...

'' (1950) - Bill Burke *''

Outrage Outrage may refer to: * Outrage (emotion), an emotion * Tort of outrage, in law, an alternative term for ''intentional infliction of emotional distress'' Books * ''Outrage'', a novel by Henry Denker 1982 * ''Outrage'', a play by Itamar Moses 2 ...

'' (1950) - Jim Owens *''

Sword of D'Artagnan A sword is an edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved. A thrusting sword tends to have a straighter blade with a pointed tip ...

'' (1951) *'' The Man from Planet X'' (1951) - John Lawrence *''

Tales of Robin Hood ''Tales of Robin Hood'' is a 1951 American film directed by James Tinling. The film was one of a series Robert L. Lippert wanted to make for television with R and L Productions but he ended up only making this and '' As You Were''. Filming star ...

'' (1951) - Robin Hood *''

Hard, Fast and Beautiful ''Hard, Fast and Beautiful'' is a 1951 American drama film directed by Ida Lupino and starring Claire Trevor. It is loosely based on the 1930 novel ''American Girl'' by sports-fiction author John R. Tunis, which was an unflattering and thinly v ...

'' (1951) - Gordon McKay *'' Manana'' (1951) - Larry Sawyer *'' Pistol Harvest'' (1951) - Jack Green *''

Drums in the Deep South ''Drums in the Deep South'' is an American Civil War war western film directed by William Cameron Menzies who was production designer of David O. Selznick's ''Gone With the Wind'' (1939) and also designed the cave sequences in Selznick's ''The A ...

'' (1951) - Union Officer (uncredited) *'' Street Bandits'' (1951) - Fred Palmer *''The Valparaiso Story'' (1951) *''

The Fabulous Senorita ''The Fabulous Senorita'' is a 1952 American musical comedy film directed by R. G. Springsteen and starring Estelita Rodriguez, Robert Clarke and Nestor Paiva. The film came at the tail-end of a cycle of Latin American-themed films, through it did ...

'' (1952) - Jerry Taylor *''

Captive Women ''Captive Women'' is a 1952 American black-and-white post-apocalyptic science-fiction film. It stars Robert Clarke and Margaret Field. The film has a running time of 64 minutes. It deals with the effects of a nuclear war and how life would be af ...

'' (1952) - Robert *''

Sword of Venus ''Sword of Venus'' is a 1953 American adventure film directed by Harold Daniels, written by Jack Pollexfen and Aubrey Wisberg, and starring Robert Clarke, Catherine McLeod, Dan O'Herlihy, William Schallert and Marjorie Stapp. It was released on F ...

'' (1953) - Robert Dantes *''Oiltown, U.S.A.'' (1953) - Bob Johnson *''The Body Beautiful'' (1953) - Adam Roberts *'' Captain John Smith and Pocahontas'' (1953) - Rolfe *''

New Faces of 1954 New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...

'' (1954) - Himself *'' Her Twelve Men'' (1954) - Dream Crown Prince / Junior Senator (uncredited) *''

The Black Pirates ''The Black Pirates'' is a 1954 Ansco Color adventure film made by Salvador Films Corp. about a band of pirates scouring a small Central American town for a buried treasure. It was directed by Allen H. Miner and produced from a screenplay by Fre ...

'' (1954) - Manuel Azaga *''

King of the Carnival ''King of the Carnival'' (1955) is a Republic movie serial that contains a substantial amount of stock footage from the earlier Republic serial ''Daredevils of the Red Circle''. It is the 66th and final serial produced by Republic and is ofte ...

'' (1955) - Jim Hayes *'' The Benny Goodman Story'' (1956) - Roger Gillespie - Alice's Escort (uncredited) *'' Outlaw Queen'' (1957) - John Andrews *''

Band of Angels ''Band of Angels'' is a 1957 psychological drama film set in the American South before and during the American Civil War, based on the 1955 novel of the same name by Robert Penn Warren. It starred Clark Gable, Yvonne De Carlo and Sidney Poitier ...

'' (1957) - Auction Participant (uncredited) *''

The Helen Morgan Story ''The Helen Morgan Story'', released in the UK as ''Both Ends of the Candle'', is a 1957 American biographical film directed by Michael Curtiz starring Ann Blyth and Paul Newman. The screenplay by Oscar Saul, Dean Riesner, Stephen Longstreet, ...

'' (1957) - Party Guest (uncredited) *''

My Man Godfrey ''My Man Godfrey'' is a 1936 American screwball comedy film directed by Gregory La Cava and starring William Powell and Carole Lombard, who had been briefly married years before appearing together in the film. The screenplay for ''My Man Godfre ...

'' (1957) - George *''

'' (1957) - Dick Cutler *''

The Deep Six ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1958) - Ens. David Clough (uncredited) *''

'' (1958, also wrote, directed and produced) - Dr. Gilbert McKenna *''Girl with an Itch'' (1958) - Orrie Cooper *'' From the Earth to the Moon'' (1958) - Narrator (voice, uncredited) *''

Date with Death Date or dates may refer to: *Date (fruit), the fruit of the date palm (''Phoenix dactylifera'') Social activity *Dating, a form of courtship involving social activity, with the aim of assessing a potential partner **Group dating *Play date, an ...

'' (1959) - Joe Emmanuel *''

The FBI Story ''The FBI Story'' is a 1959 American drama film starring James Stewart, and produced and directed by Mervyn LeRoy. The screenplay by Richard L. Breen and John Twist is based on a book by Don Whitehead. Plot John Michael ("Chip") Hardesty (James S ...

'' (1959) - Bartender (uncredited) *''

'' (1959) - Craig Randall *'' Timbuktu'' (1959) - Captain Girard *'' Cash McCall'' (1960) - Reporter (uncredited) *'' Beyond the Time Barrier'' (1960) - Maj. William Allison *'' The Last Time I Saw Archie'' (1961) - Officer (uncredited) *'' Sea Hunt'' (1961, Episode: "Top Secret") - Carl Sexton *''

Terror of the Bloodhunters ''Terror of the Bloodhunters'' is a 1962 independently made American black-and-white low budget jungle survival horror film, produced, directed, written, and edited by Jerry Warren, that stars Robert Clarke, Dorothy Haney, and Steve Conte. The ...

'' (1962) - Steve Duval *'' Secret File: Hollywood'' (1962) - Maxwell Carter *''

The Lively Set ''The Lively Set'' is a 1964 American color action drama sport film directed by Jack Arnold and starring James Darren, Pamela Tiffin, Doug McClure and Joanie Sommers. Plot Casey Owens, a young mechanic, has developed a design for a turbine car e ...

'' (1964) - Physician (uncredited) *''

Zebra in the Kitchen ''Zebra in the Kitchen'' is a 1965 American children's film produced and directed by Ivan Tors and starring Jay North in his first leading feature-film role. It also stars Martin Milner and Andy Devine, with costars Joyce Meadows and Jim Davis (a ...

'' (1965) - Sheriff *''The Restless Ones'' (1965) *’’ Dragnet.(1967) S1-E12 Clayton. Fillmore.— hit and run driver. spm *''Dragnet'' (1968) S2-E17 ''The Big Search'' - Bert Stanley *''Adam-12 Episode 69 "Log:66 The Vandals" (1970) *''Where's Willie?'' (1978) *''

Born Again Born again, or to experience the new birth, is a phrase, particularly in evangelicalism, that refers to a "spiritual rebirth", or a regeneration of the human spirit. In contrast to one's physical birth, being "born again" is distinctly and sepa ...

'' (1978) - Computer Controller *''

Frankenstein Island ''Frankenstein Island'' is a 1981 science fiction film, science fiction horror film produced, written, composed, edited and directed by Jerry Warren and starring John Carradine and Cameron Mitchell (actor), Cameron Mitchell. The plot concerns a gro ...

'' (1981) - Dr. Paul Hadley *''First Strike'' (1985) *''Midnight Movie Massacre'' (1988) - Col Carlyle *''

Alienator ''Alienator'' is a 1990 science fiction film directed by Fred Olen Ray, produced by Jeffrey C. Hogue, and starring Jan-Michael Vincent. The film was described by Leonard Maltin and confirmed by Fred Olen Ray to be a "semi- remake" of the 1957 ...

'' (1990) - Lund *''

'' (2005) - Major Allison (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Robert 1920 births 2005 deaths American male film actors American film directors Male actors from Oklahoma City Deaths from diabetes University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) RKO Pictures contract players King family (show business)