Matt Clark was a beloved American actor, best known for his roles in Western films such as Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, Hearts of the West and The Legend of the Lone Ranger.
He is also known for playing the bartender in Back to the Future Part III alongside Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, in which he famously concocts a "wake-up juice" to revive Dr Emmett Brown in a Western-style bar.
© Universal StudiosThe news of Matt's death, aged 89, was confirmed by his family, who said he died following complications from back surgery. In a statement, they said: "He kept his closest friendships for sixty years. He showed up for the work, and for his people, every time. He was complex. He was tough. He could be gruff.
"But the moral compass never wavered, and the love was never in doubt. You could see it – in his eyes, in his performances, in the family he loved to keep together. He lived. He lives, forever." As tributes continue to pour in, here's a closer look at Matt's life away from the screen, from his long marriage to his four children.
Matt Clark's early life off-screen
Matt was born in Washington, D.C. in 1936 to Frederick W. Clark and Theresa Clark. He grew up in Arlington, Virginia, where his father worked as a carpenter and his mother was a schoolteacher.
© Disney General Entertainment ConBefore pursuing acting, Matt served in the US Army for two years and briefly studied business administration at George Washington University. He later left his studies and moved to New York to train at HB Studio under actors Herbert Berghof and William Hickey.
After performing in off-Broadway productions, he transitioned to screen acting in the mid-1960s, making his debut in Black Like Me in 1964.
Who is Matt Clark's wife?
Matt was married three times: first to Erica Lann, then to Carol Trieste and finally to Sharon Mays, who confirmed his death to Variety.
© CBS via Getty ImagesHe married Sharon in January 2000 and, although they kept their relationship largely private, they were often spotted by fans dining at Joe T. Garcia's, a popular Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas.
Who are Matt Clark's 4 children?
Matt had four children, all of whom followed in their father's footsteps and pursued creative careers. His daughter, Amiee Clark, is a producer who has worked on projects including Oscar-winning blockbuster Oppenheimer, Freakier Friday and Nine Perfect Strangers.
His son Jason Clark is also a producer, having executive-produced the TV comedy series Ted, as well as Songbird and 42. Their brother Seth Clark works as a film editor and has credits on Mixed-ish, Best Foot Forward and Arrested Development.
© Variety via Getty ImagesMatt's fourth child, Matthias Clark, is a musician and songwriter. He paid tribute to his father on Instagram, sharing a photo with the caption: "Love you Dad."
