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Roger Clark (actor, born 1908)

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For other people named Roger Clark, see Roger Clark.

Roger Clark
Clark in Girls in Chains (1943)
Born
Wister Somers Clark

(1908-03-16)March 16, 1908
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedOctober 13, 1978(1978-10-13) (aged 70)
Ojai, California, U.S.
Other namesRoger W. Clark, Roger Wister Somers Clark, Wister Clark
Alma materDartmouth College
Occupation(s)Actor, model
Years active1941–1962

Roger Clark (born Wister Somers Clark;[1][2][3] March 16, 1908 – October 13, 1978[4]) was an American actor.[5] He appeared in more than thirty films from 1941 to 1962.

Early life and career

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Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Clark was the son of Horace H. Clark and Jeannette Noble. He attended California Preparatory School and Dartmouth College.[1]

In the fall of 1936, it was reported that Clark—described by The Charlotte Observer as "the handsome subject for nationally famous photographers",[6] and by The Waco Times Herald as "the nation's leading male advertising model"[7]—was one of many young performers being signed to long-term contracts by Universal Pictures.[6]

Prior to making his official screen debut[a] as "Van" Vandever in the 1941 film You Belong to Me,[9] Clark had performed exclusively under his birth name, as Wister Clark.[10][11][12] The stage name "Roger" was said to be the brainchild of that film's star, Barbara Stanwyck, as reported by AP's Hubbard Keavy.[b]

Wister Clark, from the New York stage, on his first day in the movies had to kiss Barbara Stanwyck 26 times. When it was over, she said: 'You say your name's Wister? That doesn't fit anybody who can kiss like that.' Whereupon Barbara decided Roger Clark would be better. The studio agreed, renamed him. Clark, bewildered, agreed. But he still can't understand what difference kissing makes in his name. Stanwyck didn't have any reason for considering the name Wister inadequate. But he is Roger Clark from now on.[14]

Between 1944 and 1952, Clark produced, directed and/or performed in six Broadway shows.[15]

Personal life and death

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Clark was married at least three times. In 1928, he married fellow Hartford native Helen Grace Holt and was divorced four years later on grounds of cruelty.[16][17][18] They had one child together, a son, Roland Somers Clark.[4][19][20] From July 30, 1936 until their divorce on July 19, 1945, Clark was married to actress Jan Wiley,[21][22] and on March 6, 1950, he married Carolyn Louise Black.[1]

On October 13, 1978, following a long illness, Clark died in Ojai, California, survived by his wife Louise, his son Roland, two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.[4]

Selected filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1941 You Belong to Me Frederick Vandemer
Honolulu Lu
Secrets of the Lone Wolf Paul Benoit
1942 Daring Young Man Ted Johnson
The Lady Is Willing Victor
Meet the Stewarts Ted Graham
Two Yanks in Trinidad James W. Buckingham III
1943 Girls in Chains Frank Donavan
1944 Pin Up Girl Sgt. George Davis
Faces in the Fog Sgt. O'Donnell

Notes

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  1. ^ Clark reportedly made prior uncredited appearances in the 1937 feature film, Saturday's Heroes,[8] and in numerous short subjects.[7]
  2. ^ aka "Hub" Keavy, syndicated columnist who shortly thereafter became AP's Los Angeles Bureau chief.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Former Hasson Girl Weds New York Man at Baltimore, Md.". The News-Herald. March 15, 1950. p. 9.
  2. ^ "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPC6-P8L : 26 November 2014), Roger Wistersomers Clark, 13 Oct 1978; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
  3. ^ "California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGF9-DR7V : Sat Mar 09 14:26:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Wister Somers Clark and Harriett W Clark, 16 October 1940.
  4. ^ a b c "Obituaries: Roger W. Clark". Ventura County Star. October 16, 1978. p. A-12. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Hollywood.com Staff. "Roger Clark | Biography and Filmography | 1908". hollywood.com. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Producers Seek New Performers". The Charlotte Observer.
  7. ^ a b "Leading Male Model Latest Picture Find". The Waco Times-Herald. November 22, 1936. p. 11. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Rochelle Hudson Will Star for RKO". The Oklahoma News. July 11, 1937. p. B4. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  9. ^ "Roger Clark Filmography". American Film Institute.
  10. ^ "Film's New Clark, But Not Gable!". The Palm Beach Post. January 26, 1937. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  11. ^ "Theater—Now—A Clare Boothe Era for Baltimore". The Baltimore Sun. February 26, 1939. p. 47. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  12. ^ "Scene From Drama at Majestic Tonight". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. April 10, 1939. p. 3. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  13. ^ Associated Press (January 21, 1980). "Ex-AP Bureau Chief Keavy Dies in Laguna Beach at 77". The Sacramento Bee. p. A11. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Keavy, Hubbard (August 17, 1941). "New Type of Picture of West Promised; What's in a Name? Ha, It's Kisses!". Tulsa World. p. 37. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "Roger Clark credits". Playbill.
  16. ^ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24WK-W19 : Tue Feb 20 21:49:49 UTC 2024), Entry for Wister Somers Clark and Helen Grace Holt, 13 Jul 1928.
  17. ^ "Decrees Granted". Reno Gazette-Journal. p. 12. retrieved April 17, 2024.
  18. ^ "Divorces Granted". Nevada State Journal.
  19. ^ "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XMPK-8T7 : Sat Mar 09 18:09:27 UTC 2024), Entry for Wister S Clark and Helen H Clark, 1930.
  20. ^ "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KMK-N3HD : 10 February 2023), Roland Somers Clark, .
  21. ^ "Actress Says Home Life Too Much Work". Hollywood Citizen-News. July 20, 1945. p. 16. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  22. ^ Associated Press (July 20, 1945). "Actress Jan Wiley Is Granted Divorce". Roanoke Times. p. 16. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
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