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Robert Clark Obituary
Clark, 67, and son Ariel Hanrath-Clark, 22, were killed in the accident in Pacific Palisades, said Lyne Leavy, Clark's personal assistant.
The two men were in an Infiniti that collided head-on with a GMC Yukon around 2:30 a.m. PST, said Lt. Paul Vernon, a police spokesman. The driver of the other car was under the influence of alcohol and was driving without a license, Vernon said.
The driver, Hector Velazquez-Nava, 24, of Los Angeles, remained hospitalized and will be booked for investigation of gross vehicular manslaughter after being treated, Vernon said. A female passenger in his car also was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and released, police said.
In Clark's most famous film, all 9-year-old Ralphie Parker wants for Christmas is an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle.
His mother, teacher and Santa Claus all warn: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."
A school bully named Scut Farkus, a leg lamp, a freezing flagpole mishap and some four-letter defiance helped the movie become a seasonal fixture with "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street."
Clark specialized in horror movies and thrillers early in his career, directing such 1970s flicks as "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things," "Murder by Decree," "Breaking Point" and "Black Christmas," which was remade last year.
His breakout success came with 1981's sex farce "Porky's," a coming-of-age romp that he followed two years later with "Porky's II: The Next Day."
In 1983, "A Christmas Story" marked a career high for Clark. Darrin McGavin, Melinda Dillon and Peter Billingsley starred in the adaptation of Jean Shepherd's childhood memoir of a boy in the 1940s.
The film was a modest theatrical success, but critics loved it.
In 1994, Clark directed a forgettable sequel, "It Runs in the Family," featuring Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen and Kieran Culkin in a continuation of Shepard's memoirs.
In recent years, Clark made family comedies that were savaged by critics, including "Karate Dog," "Baby Geniuses" and its sequel, "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2."
Among Clark's other movies were Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton's "Rhinestone," Timothy Hutton's "Turk 182!", and Gene Hackman and Dan Aykroyd's "Loose Cannons."
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
42 Entries
May 17, 2010
The years may come and go. But the memories of our love ones will live on forever in our hearts.
Psalms 147:3- He is heaing the broken hearted ones and is binding up their painful spots.
April 3, 2010
For Robert...
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
Wendy Jackson
May 2, 2007
My deep and heartfelt sympathy to the family of Robert and Ariel. I feel the shock and shame of a great loss. I know Ariel will be missed at SMC where I work in the library. God bless you all.
How you can show support
Alfred Nicolosi
April 8, 2007
"To the blind pen
the hand that writes is unreal,
its writing, unmeaning."
--Tagore
I lost my mom this week. I can only begin to imagine the emptiness and pain your family feels at losing both a father and a son. My most heartfelt condolences. "A Christmas Story" is my grandson's favorite movie.
My mother's death led me to write an inspirational essay which was published in NJ newspapers as "Life, Death and the Easter Bunny." I would gladly email it to the family if you wish. Contact: [email protected]
May Bob and Ariel continue to inspire their family through your cherished memories of their lives.
Grief is the price we pay for love.
Crystal Griffith
April 6, 2007
Condolences to Robert Clark's family,
My family enjoys watching 24-hours of The Christmas Story every year. We also have trivia on the movie through-out the year at my job.Take care of each other in this time of need and always.
Rev. Joseph P. Hildebrandt Sr
April 6, 2007
Thanks for making a Christmas tradition in our family. God bless you and bless your family. Your safe in the arms of Jesus now!
Peace
sull
April 6, 2007
rest in peace
MYRA & JIM
April 6, 2007
ROBERT YOU WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH.GOD BLESS YOU .PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY IN THIS HARD TIME. REST IN PEACE.
Brenda Holland
April 6, 2007
I will think of Mr Clark everytime I watch the movie.It brought so much joy to my late husband and our son.They loved it and watched it over & over.It is a highlight of the Christmas season in our home.What a tragedy.My sympathy to the family and what a legacy to leave.
P Vail
April 6, 2007
A talented man lost to such senseless behavior. My deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved ones.Watching "The Christmas Story" has been one of the greatest moments with my kids.
Sheila Smith
April 6, 2007
Rest in Peace.
S. Phillips
April 5, 2007
To the Clark Family:
Our sympathy goes out for the loss of Mr. Clark and his son. He will be fondly remembered every Christmas when we watch "Christmas Story".
toni costanzo
April 5, 2007
Our Deepest Sympathies to The Clark Family for the Tragic Loss of two of their beautiful Family Members. Thank You Mr. Robert Clark for your wonderful movies!
Virginia
April 5, 2007
You will be missed. To your family the loss of two members is a great tragedy. You will be remembered for your movies, especially the one at Christmastime. Safe passage; you will be remembered always. Thanks.
BRIAN PIKE
April 5, 2007
MAY YOU REST N PEACE ROBERT, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME!
YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER.
YOULL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT KID !
LOVE , BRIAN & ANNA PIKE
Sandra goycochea
April 5, 2007
So sorry to hear of your dad's death, so senseless. My favoriate movies is the Christmas Story, I watch it every year since 1988, when I first saw it. God bless his soul and you all keep the faith, God is good.
Scott Knowles
April 5, 2007
Thank you, Bob Clark, for one of the greatest and most heart-warming holiday stories of all time! You were a great director. We are all lessened by your untimely passing. Such a huge heart will be sorely missed. We send prayers of comfort to your family in their grief.
SAV'H
April 5, 2007
RESTED IN PEACE
Yolanda Valdez
April 5, 2007
Thank you Mr. Clark for the great movies.
We know first hand there are no words of comfort at this time. We lost our only son 9-3-2004 at the age of 19 and it fells like yesterday. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the entire family.
Proud Marine Parents of an American Hero
LCpl. Nicholas S. Perez – KIA 9~3~04 – Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Muffy
April 5, 2007
My condolences to the Clark family.
Please know the joy Mr Clark brought to me, with his interpretation Jean Shepard's works, will live on long after him.
Peace to you, Bob.
Marcy Mepsted
April 5, 2007
Robert gave us all many smiles & laughs. My prayers go out to your family at this very sad time.
Vivian Otero
April 5, 2007
I has been a tradition in our home to play "A Christmas Story" every year while we decorate our Christmas tree. I cried when I heard of Mr. Clark's and his son's passing. Please remember "DON"T DRINK AND DRIVE!" May they rest in peace.
marco styles
April 5, 2007
we will all mess you alot so my God bless you family
SHIRLEY GRAVES
April 5, 2007
Bless this family !
Kevin Farina
April 5, 2007
The Best movie ever made!
Ursula Mahoney
April 5, 2007
I would like to send my sympathies to the Clark Family. Watching A Christmas Story has become a Christmas Eve tradition in our family.
Minda Powers-Douglas
April 5, 2007
To the Clark family: I cannot imagine the terrible sorrow you must feel losing a father and a son. Mr. Clark brought and continues to bring so many of us much joy during the holidays. It is a legacy you and he can be very proud of.
I remember seeing it for the first time in the theater in the early 80s. My parents and I loved it so much, we took my grandparents to see it the next day. It has been near and dear to us ever since.
Bless you and may your memories comfort you.
T B
April 5, 2007
Thank you, Mr. Clark, for your contribution of many wonderful movies including the delightful Christmas Story. It is a movie we watch with the kids every Christmas and will remain a classic for many generations. God bless your family at this difficult time.
LIZ ZIELINSKI
April 5, 2007
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO BOB CLARK AND HIS SON'S FAMILY. HOW TRAGIC...AS FAR AS HIS MOST POPULAR MOVIE, A CHRISTMAS STORY, I'VE WATCHED IT SO MANY TIMES THAT I CAN REPEAT ALMOST EVERY WORD OR SENTENCE BEFORE THE ACTOR SPEAKS..IT DRIVES MY FAMILY CRAZY...WHO CARES, I LOVE IT!
Sherri Thompson
April 5, 2007
Christmas Story is by far one of the best Christmas movies to see during the holidays. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
k. lucas
April 5, 2007
So very sorry this great loss. My sister and I always would watch this movie over and over evey Christmas Day.
PAUL
April 5, 2007
I AM SO SORRY.. THIS TRAGEDY NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
April 4, 2007
DEAR FATHER IN HEAVEN WATCH OVER HIS FAMILY, REST IN PEACE ROBERT
Lisa Simmons
April 4, 2007
Christmas isn't Christmas in my home without watching "A Christmas Story". Bob Clark brought the magic of the season to life through the innocent joy of a child's wish for his beloved BB gun. God Bless You, Bob. You'll always be remembered.
Robert & Edith Stamper
April 4, 2007
My favorite movie. Warms my heart everytime I see it.
God's Healing, Comfort, Blessings, and Peace be with the family and friends of Mr. Clark and his son.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 ( KJV )
Adam Wilkes
April 4, 2007
may the lord be with his family in this time of sorrow
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