Jack Clark (television personality)

Infobox actor television
bgcolour = silver
name = Jack Clark

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birthname = Jack Clark
occupation = Game Show Host, announcer
birthdate = birth_date|1925|11|25
location = Tulsa, Oklahoma
deathdate = death_date_and_age|1988|07|21|1925|11|25
deathplace = Los Angeles, California
spouse = Barbara (?-1988), 4 children
credits = "The Cross-Wits"
"Wheel of Fortune (1980-1988)"

Jack Clark (November 25, 1925 - July 21, 1988) was an American game show emcee and announcer. He is most noted for his hosting duties on "The Cross-Wits", which ran from December 15, 1975 to September 12, 1980. In addition, he served as offstage announcer on "Wheel of Fortune" from 1980 until his death in July 1988.

Early career

He started his career in the industry working as an announcer on such shows as "Password" (for which he also occasionally substituted for Allen Ludden), and "Split Second". He also hosted "100 Grand (game show)", an attempt at reviving the primetime, big-money quiz show to TV, on ABC in 1963, and was the original announcer on "Tattletales".

1970s

He took over hosting duties for "Dealer's Choice" from Bob Hastings a few weeks into its run in 1974, and continued hosting the show through late 1975. Once that ended, he began emceeing "The Cross-Wits" which lasted five years.

Clark also hosted a number of pilot episodes that never made it to air. Among these were "Second Guessers", "The $10,000 Sweep", and a 1985 proposed revival of "Now You See It".

During his tenure with "The Cross-Wits", Clark also hosted "Say Powwww" in 1979. This was a live, interactive game series on Metromedia stations in California, directed by Sidney M. Cohen.

Later career

It was shortly after "The Cross-Wits" ended that he began announcing for "The $25,000 Pyramid" (1982-1985) and "Wheel of Fortune" from 1980 until his 1988 death from bone cancer. Prior to his death, Clark was also the TV spokesman for "National Geographic" magazine. One year later, Charlie O'Donnell, whom Clark replaced in 1980 (and occasionally filled in for Clark during his tenure), returned and has been Wheel of Fortune's announcer ever since. [http://www.tv.com/wheel-of-fortune/show/4413/summary.html]

External links

*imdb name|id=0164028|name=Jack Clark