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Clark grew up in the English village of [[Chipperfield]], [[Hertfordshire]] and attended [[Watford Grammar School for Boys|Watford Grammar School]].<ref name=Chipperfield>[http://www.chipperfield.org.uk/2004/08/15/another-chipperfield-memory.html "Another Chipperfield Memory"]. Official Chipperfield village website, 15 August 2004, accessed 9 August 2010</ref> His acting career started in 1944 when a neighbour, who was a BBC producer, asked him to play schoolboy D'arcy Minor as a one off in [[BBC Radio]]'s ''[[Will Hay#Radio career|The Will Hay Programme]]''.<ref name=Chipperfield /><ref name=Hay1 /><ref name=Pathe2 /> But he was asked to stay for the series, and later went on to the [[variety show|variety version]] at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre|Victoria Palace]] in London's [[West End theatre|West End]] during the [[V-2]] scare. Just 4 days before [[Victory in Europe Day|VE]] Day, the act was performed at the [[Life Guards (British Army)|Life Guards]] Barracks in Windsor for the last time, at a British variety show for the Royal Family at midnight, 4 May 1945. Following that, he became a star as the original ''[[Just William]]'' both on stage and radio in 1947,<ref name=Pathe3 /> and was the BBC's stock juvenile in radio plays such as ''[[Worzel Gummidge]]'' and ''[[Vice Versa]]''. Then he starred in ''[[Treasure Island]]'' with Harry Welchman at the [[St. James's Theatre]]. Prior to entering his [[National Service]], Clark made guest appearances around England in plays featuring teenagers.<ref name=Pathe1 />
Clark grew up in the English village of [[Chipperfield]], [[Hertfordshire]] and attended [[Watford Grammar School for Boys|Watford Grammar School]].<ref name=Chipperfield>[http://www.chipperfield.org.uk/2004/08/15/another-chipperfield-memory.html "Another Chipperfield Memory"]. Official Chipperfield village website, 15 August 2004, accessed 9 August 2010</ref> His acting career started in 1944 when a neighbour, who was a BBC producer, asked him to play schoolboy D'arcy Minor as a one off in [[BBC Radio]]'s ''[[Will Hay#Radio career|The Will Hay Programme]]''.<ref name=Chipperfield /><ref name=Hay1 /><ref name=Pathe2 /> But he was asked to stay for the series, and later went on to the [[variety show|variety version]] at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre|Victoria Palace]] in London's [[West End theatre|West End]] during the [[V-2]] scare. Just 4 days before [[Victory in Europe Day|VE]] Day, the act was performed at the [[Life Guards (British Army)|Life Guards]] Barracks in Windsor for the last time, at a British variety show for the Royal Family at midnight, 4 May 1945. Following that, he became a star as the original ''[[Just William]]'' both on stage and radio in 1947,<ref name=Pathe3 /> and was the BBC's stock juvenile in radio plays such as ''[[Worzel Gummidge]]'' and ''[[Vice Versa]]''. Then he starred in ''[[Treasure Island]]'' with Harry Welchman at the [[St. James's Theatre]]. Prior to entering his [[National Service]], Clark made guest appearances around England in plays featuring teenagers.<ref name=Pathe1 />


Clark served for three years in the [[British Merchant Navy]] (as an alternative to National Service) as an [[indenture]]d apprentice on the [[Silver Line (shipping company)|Silver Line]] ships ''Silverwalnut'' and ''Silvertarn''.<ref name=JohnClark1 /><ref name=JohnClark2 /> After leaving the Navy he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, to resume his career. Unknown in Canada, Clark became established as the original host of a weekly TV interview show ''[[Junior Magazine]]''<ref name=JuniorMagazine1 /> on the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]'s national network. He married Canadian actress [[Kay Hawtrey]] in 1956 and appeared on stage in the musical ''[[Salad Days (musical)|Salad Days]]'',<ref name=Atkey2006 /> seasons of [[repertory]] in Toronto and Ottawa, and acted in television dramas. He became interested In a new approach to acting when he worked with [[Luther Adler]] in Adler's touring American production of [[A View From the Bridge]]. 1960, he moved to [[New York City]] where he played minor roles on the American stage with [[Ray Milland]] in the [[Broadway Theatre|Broadway]] production of ''Hostile Witness'' (1966), [[Stacy Keach]] in ''[[MacBird!]]'', [[Cedric Hardwicke]] in ''[[An Inspector Calls]]'', as well as in a few television episodes. The marriage ended in 1967 and Hawtrey returned to her native Toronto with their son, while Clark remained in New York City, and studied with [[Lee Strasberg]].
Clark served for three years in the [[British Merchant Navy]] (as an alternative to National Service) as an [[indenture]]d apprentice on the [[Silver Line (shipping company)|Silver Line]] ships ''Silverwalnut'' and ''Silvertarn''.<ref name=JohnClark1 /><ref name=JohnClark2 /> After leaving the Navy he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, to resume his career. Unknown in Canada, Clark became established as the original host of a weekly TV interview show ''[[Junior Magazine]]''<ref name=JuniorMagazine1 /> on the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]'s national network. He married Canadian actress [[Kay Hawtrey]] in 1956 and appeared on stage in the musical ''[[Salad Days (musical)|Salad Days]]'',<ref name=Atkey2006 /> seasons of [[repertory]] in Toronto and Ottawa, and acted in television dramas. He became interested In a new approach to acting when he worked with [[Luther Adler]] in Adler's touring American production of [[A View From the Bridge]]. 1960, he moved to [[New York City]] where he played minor roles on the American stage with [[Ray Milland]] in the [[Broadway Theatre|Broadway]] production of ''Hostile Witness'' (1966), [[Stacy Keach]] in ''[[MacBird!]]'', [[Cedric Hardwicke]] in ''[[An Inspector Calls]]'', as well as in a few television episodes. The marriage ended in 1967 and Hawtrey returned to her native Toronto with their son, while Clark remained in New York City, and studied with [[Lee Strasberg]], which [[Cindy Adams]] mentioned in her book
<ref>Adams, Cindy Heller (1980). ''[[Lee Strasberg]] The Imperfect Genius of the [[Actors Studio]]''. [[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]] ([[Garden City, New York|Garden City]], [[New York]]). ISBN 9780385124966</ref>.

==Marriage to Redgrave and later years==
==Marriage to Redgrave and later years==
Clark met Lynn Redgrave in November 1966 during a brief visit to London when he performed in ''What's Wrong with Humpty Dumpty?'', a television play in which she starred as a trendy antiques store owner with Clark as her very gay assistant.<ref name=IMDB1 /><ref name=TIME /> When Redgrave came to New York, a friendship developed. On 2 April 1967 they were married in [[Sidney Lumet]]'s living room in New York by an [[Ethical Culture]] minister.<ref name=NewYorkTimes1 /> The event was photographed for ''[[Life (magazine)|Life Magazine]]'' by [[Michael Crawford]].<ref name=Life1 /> At the time, she was appearing in her first [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] play, ''[[Black Comedy]]'', and he was appearing [[Off-Broadway]] in ''[[MacBird]]''.
Clark met Lynn Redgrave in November 1966 during a brief visit to London when he performed in ''What's Wrong with Humpty Dumpty?'', a television play in which she starred as a trendy antiques store owner with Clark as her very gay assistant.<ref name=IMDB1 /><ref name=TIME /> When Redgrave came to New York, a friendship developed. On 2 April 1967 they were married in [[Sidney Lumet]]'s living room in New York by an [[Ethical Culture]] minister.<ref name=NewYorkTimes1 /> The event was photographed for ''[[Life (magazine)|Life Magazine]]'' by [[Michael Crawford]].<ref name=Life1 /> At the time, she was appearing in her first [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] play, ''[[Black Comedy]]'', and he was appearing [[Off-Broadway]] in ''[[MacBird]]''.

Revision as of 19:13, 9 November 2010

John Clark
File:JohnWiki1.JPG
Born
Ivan John Clark
Other namesJohn Clark
Years active1944–present
Spouse(s)
Miyuki Tsunoda
​
(m. 2002)​

​
(m. 1967⁠–⁠2000)​

​
(m. 1956⁠–⁠1967)​
Websitehttp://www.johnclarkprose.com

Ivan John Clark (born 1 November 1932) is an English-born actor, director, producer, and writer with dual American and Canadian citizenship. He is also known as the ex-husband of actress Lynn Redgrave, to whom he was married for 33 years.[1]

Early career

Clark grew up in the English village of Chipperfield, Hertfordshire and attended Watford Grammar School.[2] His acting career started in 1944 when a neighbour, who was a BBC producer, asked him to play schoolboy D'arcy Minor as a one off in BBC Radio's The Will Hay Programme.[2][3][4] But he was asked to stay for the series, and later went on to the variety version at the Victoria Palace in London's West End during the V-2 scare. Just 4 days before VE Day, the act was performed at the Life Guards Barracks in Windsor for the last time, at a British variety show for the Royal Family at midnight, 4 May 1945. Following that, he became a star as the original Just William both on stage and radio in 1947,[5] and was the BBC's stock juvenile in radio plays such as Worzel Gummidge and Vice Versa. Then he starred in Treasure Island with Harry Welchman at the St. James's Theatre. Prior to entering his National Service, Clark made guest appearances around England in plays featuring teenagers.[6]

Clark served for three years in the British Merchant Navy (as an alternative to National Service) as an indentured apprentice on the Silver Line ships Silverwalnut and Silvertarn.[7][8] After leaving the Navy he emigrated to Toronto, Canada, to resume his career. Unknown in Canada, Clark became established as the original host of a weekly TV interview show Junior Magazine[9] on the CBC's national network. He married Canadian actress Kay Hawtrey in 1956 and appeared on stage in the musical Salad Days,[10] seasons of repertory in Toronto and Ottawa, and acted in television dramas. He became interested In a new approach to acting when he worked with Luther Adler in Adler's touring American production of A View From the Bridge. 1960, he moved to New York City where he played minor roles on the American stage with Ray Milland in the Broadway production of Hostile Witness (1966), Stacy Keach in MacBird!, Cedric Hardwicke in An Inspector Calls, as well as in a few television episodes. The marriage ended in 1967 and Hawtrey returned to her native Toronto with their son, while Clark remained in New York City, and studied with Lee Strasberg, which Cindy Adams mentioned in her book [11].

Marriage to Redgrave and later years

Clark met Lynn Redgrave in November 1966 during a brief visit to London when he performed in What's Wrong with Humpty Dumpty?, a television play in which she starred as a trendy antiques store owner with Clark as her very gay assistant.[12][13] When Redgrave came to New York, a friendship developed. On 2 April 1967 they were married in Sidney Lumet's living room in New York by an Ethical Culture minister.[14] The event was photographed for Life Magazine by Michael Crawford.[15] At the time, she was appearing in her first Broadway play, Black Comedy, and he was appearing Off-Broadway in MacBird.

Clark and Redgrave lived in London and Dublin for a number of years before returning to the United States where he was a citizen. They had 3 children together, Benjamin (b. 1968), Kelly (b. 1970) and Annabel (b. 1981). Clark became Redgrave's director, co-actor and with her lawsuit over the CBS television series House Calls, her manager. He appeared with her in Love Letters on Broadway (1989–90). Clark produced and directed stage shows for Redgrave; among them A Better Place at Dublin's Gate Theatre (1973) and, in the U.S., Thursday's Girls (1982), The Two of Us (1975), Saint Joan (1977–78, Broadway) and a tour of California Suite (1976). Clarks last co-venture with Redgrave was as the producer, director and co-writer of the award-winning Shakespeare for My Father which played on Broadway (1993–94) and then The Haymarket Theatre in London, followed by a tour of Australia and Canada. He also directed for her on television.

During his marriage to Redgrave, Clark also appeared in the Broadway play Comedians (1976–77) and also in a number of films including Jagged Edge (1985), Blood Frenzy (1987), and The Lords of Magick (1989).

File:JohnFamily0987.JPG
Clark reunites with his children after Redgrave's 2010 funeral

The marriage ended in 2000 after Clark revealed to Redgrave that he had fathered a child[1][16] with her personal assistant, who later married (and subsequently divorced) their son Benjamin.[7][17] The divorce proceedings were front page news for months. Clark defended himself in Family Court proceedings before family court Judge Arnold Gold, and contests the tabloid's version of events and wrote about his views on court proceedings at his website.[18][19] Redgrave's one-woman play Nightingale (2009), which explored the life of her maternal grandmother, also included reflections about her marriage to Clark.[20][21] Redgrave died 2 May 2010. A week later, Clark collapsed with chest pain outside the church when refused entry to Redgrave's Kent, Connecticut funeral and was admitted to a hospital. The next day, Clark met his family members at the church and reconciled with them.[22]

Clark met his third wife, Miyuki Tsunoda, via an online dating service and they married in 2002. In 2005, he appeared in the film Charlie's Death Wish. On 13 December 2006, Clark suffered a heart attack. After angioplasty surgery, he received the implant of a pacemaker.

References

  1. ^ a b Coveney, Michael (3 May 2010). "Lynn Redgrave obituary". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Another Chipperfield Memory". Official Chipperfield village website, 15 August 2004, accessed 9 August 2010
  3. ^ Will Hay Programme 1944 sound recording
  4. ^ Boy's Big Chance British Pathe, 5 Feb. 1945
  5. ^ Pathe Newsreel 4 Feb. 1946
  6. ^ Stars Then and Now Pathe Newsreel 28 April 1947
  7. ^ a b "Silver Line". John Clark. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  8. ^ "Silvertarn Logbook 1953" (PDF). John Clark. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  9. ^ Junior Magazine (1956-1962) Canadian TV Archive
  10. ^ Mel Atkey (2006). Broadway north: the dream of a Canadian musical theatre. Dundurn Press Ltd. p. 72. ISBN 9781897045084. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |isbn10= ignored (help)
  11. ^ Adams, Cindy Heller (1980). Lee Strasberg The Imperfect Genius of the Actors Studio. Doubleday (Garden City, New York). ISBN 9780385124966
  12. ^ "Armchair Theatre: What's Wrong with Humpty Dumpty?". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  13. ^ "Newsfronts: New actor in the cast of Redgraves". TIME. 7 April 1967. Retrieved 05 November 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  14. ^ "Lynn Redgrave Wed to John Clark". The New York Times. 3 April 1967. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  15. ^ Life Magazine, issue 14 April 1967 P.38
  16. ^ Boshoff, Alison (8 May 2010). "The love child who broke Lynn Redgrave's heart: In the week the actress died, her ex-husband tells of his shame and regret". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  17. ^ Dan Jewel (29 March 1999). "Bizarre 8 Year Secret Tears Apart Redgrave's Marriage". People Magazine.
  18. ^ "Lynn Redgrave obituary". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  19. ^ "Lynn Redgrave obituary". The Times. Times Newspapers Limited. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  20. ^ Isherwood, Charles (4 November 2009). "Theater Review: 'Nightingale' - Redgrave Uncorsets a Relative Long Gone". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  21. ^ Komisar, Lucy. "Nightingale is Lynn Redgrave’s less-than-completely-truthful memoir of women’s lives". The Komisar Scoop, 22 November 2009, accessed 9 August 2010
  22. ^ "Redgrave curse strikes again - then turns into a blessing". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Limited. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.

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