Sterling Clark

May 27, 1940 - September 25, 2015 Thomas Edward Clark a.k.a. Sterling Clark passed away peacefully September 25th in Los Angeles, CA after battling cancer. Sterling was born May 27, 1940 in Dallas, TX. He graduated from Reagan High School in Houston, TX class of 1958. At the age of 19 he moved to New York and after his first audition started his life long career of theater, TV and film. After receiving formative dance training in Houston with legendary Patsy Swayze, he moved to NYC. Within weeks of arrival he joined the cast of West Side Story. Over the next seven years audiences could see him in any of 10 Broadway musicals including Half a Sixpense, Mr. President, The Gay Life, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, A Time For Singing, Kelly and Anyone Can Whistle. Man of La Mancha would bring Sterling to Los Angeles. He was seen in many television shows of the era and films such as Finian's Rainbow and Hello Dolly. Sterling teamed up with Buddy Vest and the duo became known as Vest and Clark. They become a favorite at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. They won a Las Vegas entertainment award for "Lounge Act of the Year" and opened for Joan Rivers who also brought them onto the Tonight Show. The act relocated to Paris to be the headliners of the world famous Lido de Paris. For two years Sterling called Paris home. After Vest and Clark disbanded, Sterling appeared with Raquel Welch during her world tour. Audiences would see him in musical films such as Annie, Pennies from Heaven, and the The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and on stage in the productions of Evita, Sugarbabies, 42nd Street, and his memorable appearance as Otto Kringelein in the Grand Hotel. He retired and continued to visit New York regularly to catch up on the latest musicals and cheer on a new generation of "Broadway Babies". His talent touched many. He was proud of his Texas roots and loved the Lights of New York and Paris and calling California home! His parents Tom and Madelyn Clark of Houston, TX preceded him in death. He has three brothers: Bobby and Martha Clark of McKinney, TX, Jim and Becky Clark of Willis, TX and Sam and Sherry Clark of Houston, TX and numerous nieces and nephews who adore him! In Sterling's memory the family request you support your local theater, film and TV productions, as he surely was the biggest fan!