American actor Matt Clark, widely recognized for his role in “Back to the Future Part III,” has died at the age of 89, his family confirmed, reports Baltimore Chronicle via Fox News. According to information provided by his daughter Aimee Clark, the actor passed away at his home in Austin, Texas, following complications related to back surgery.
Clark’s death was also reported by TMZ, which cited family statements confirming that the complications arose after a recent surgical procedure. His passing marks the end of a career that extended across more than five decades in film and television.
Throughout his career, Clark became particularly known for portraying Chester the bartender in “Back to the Future Part III.” In addition to this role, he appeared in a range of television productions, including “Grace Under Fire,” “The Jeff Foxworthy Show,” and “Little House on the Prairie,” establishing a steady presence on American screens.
His work was especially associated with the Western genre. Beginning in the late 1950s, Clark took part in numerous film and television projects and remained active in the industry into the 2010s. According to details from his obituary, his final on-screen appearance came in the 2014 film “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
Family members described that final role as a symbolic conclusion to a career largely defined by Westerns. Over the course of his filmography, Clark appeared in more than 50 feature films, including over 30 Western titles.
Relatives characterized Clark as an “actor’s actor,” emphasizing that he did not pursue fame but instead valued collaboration with colleagues who shared similar personal values. They stated that he considered himself fortunate in his profession and approached both his work and personal life on his own terms.
Director Gary Rosen also paid tribute in a statement included in the obituary, describing Clark as a performer who embodied a defining era of Hollywood filmmaking. Rosen noted that Clark had a distinctive presence as a character actor, often leaving a strong impression in scenes alongside major stars such as Rod Steiger, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, and John Wayne.
Rosen highlighted Clark’s roles in films including “In the Heat of the Night,” “Jeremiah Johnson,” “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” “The Cowboys,” and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” stating that his performances contributed to the enduring status of these productions.
Matt Clark was married three times. His first marriage was to Erica Lann from 1958 to 1966. He later married Carol Trieste in 1968, and in 2000 he married Sharon Mays. He is survived by his wife Sharon Mays and his daughter Aimee Clark.
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