Gage Clarke (March 3, 1900 – October 22, 1964) Born In Vassar, Michigan was an American character actor[1] best known for his role as the principal in Mister Peepers.[2] His other work consisted largely of one-shot appearances in television series such as seven major supporting roles as different characters in Maverick, twelve roles in Gunsmoke (Clarke played a key role in the Maverick spoof of Gunsmoke, an episode entitled "Gun-Shy"), Mister Ed, Laramie, Ben Casey, Checkmate, The Twilight Zone, The Real McCoys (twice), four roles in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bourbon Street Beat, Boris Karloff's Thriller, Have Gun Will Travel, and many others, as well as movies including I Want to Live!, The Bad Seed, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Absent-Minded Professor. Clarke, a slightly overweight actor with a double chin, specialized in playing avuncular, rather timid characters, with one of his largest parts being frightened gambler "Foursquare Farley" in the Maverick episode "Greenbacks, Unlimited" opposite James Garner and John Dehner. Another Maverick episode, entitled "Maverick at Law," was a different showcase for Clarke, affording arguably more screen time for him than for series lead Jack Kelly. He made two guest appearances on Perry Mason, including the role of Frederick Rollins in The Case of the Glittering Goldfish in 1959. He also played the part of Mr. Murg in Pollyanna in 1960.
