Beloved ‘Back to the Future III’ Actor Passes Away at 89

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Matt Clark, the seasoned actor best known for his role in “Back to the Future III.” Clark’s passing at the age of 89 was confirmed on Monday morning.

His family shared with TMZ that Clark died peacefully in his Austin, Texas residence on Sunday morning. The actor had been dealing with complications following back surgery, which ultimately led to his passing.

Clark famously portrayed Chester the Bartender in the 1990 blockbuster sequel “Back to the Future III.” The film, a beloved installment in the time-traveling saga, also starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, and Elisabeth Shue.

In addition to his memorable role in “Back to the Future III,” Clark was recognized for his performance in the 1980s cult favorite “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension,” further cementing his legacy in Hollywood’s rich tapestry of character actors.

And the Hollywood veteran was also in the ’80s cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. 

Clark was on a massive TV sitcom too which aired from 1993 until 1998: Grace Under Fire with comedienne Brett Butler. 

And he acted with plenty of A-list stars such as Clint Eastwood, Jeff Bridges and John Wayne.

His last film was 2014’s A Million Ways to Die in the West with Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried.

Back To The Future III star Matt Clark has died at 89. His family told TMZ that he passed away in his Austin, Texas home on Sunday morning. Clark was suffering from complications after he had back surgery

The star played the bartender in the smash time-travel sequel Back To The Future III in 1990. The movie also featured Michael J Fox

The poster with Christopher Lloyd and Mary Steenburgen

Clark made his big-screen debut in 1964’s Black Like Me.

Next he played a Southern man in 1967’s Norman Jewison film In the Heat of the Night.

He then was in several movies pretty much back to back: The Bridge at Remagen (1969), The Grissom Gang (1971), White Lightning (1973) and Emperor of the North (1973).

In 1977 he worked on Outlaw Blues with Peter Fonda and Susan Saint James.

Then the next year he had a part in Walter Hill’s classic film The Driver.

In the 1980s his big films were Some Kind of Hero (1982), Country (1984), The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) and Return to Oz (1985).

His part in Back to the Future Part III in 1990 was small but memorable.

In 2013 he worked on the film 42, a biographical sports drama that chronicles Jackie Robinson’s historic journey breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier.

‘He was the kind of actor that defined Hollywood filmmaking in its greatest era,’ Hacks director Gary Rosen said in a statement.

‘The utterly unique character player who made every scene he appeared in memorable, often stealing them from stars like Rod Steiger, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne.

‘His roles in In the Heat of the Night, Jeremiah Johnson, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Cowboys, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, among many others, helped to elevate those films to classic status. He leaves the stage, but his performances will be remembered forever.’

Clark worked with Paul Newman in the 1972 film The Life And Times Of Judge Roy Bean

Left is Burton Gilliam, Jeff Bridges. Seated right is Clark and Andy Griffith in 1975’s Hearts Of The West

The star in an image from The Legend of the Lone Ranger in 1981

With Bob Ferrera, John McIntire, Verna Bloom, Tracey Shults, Kyle Eastwood and Clint Eastwood in Honkytonk Man in 1982 

Clark was also on a massive TV sitcom: Grace Under Fire with comedienne Brett Butler. Seen in 2014

He also had parts in The Jeff Foxworthy Show, The Waltons, Magnum, PI, The Practice, Chicago Hope, and the miniseries The Winds of War and Barbarians at the Gate.

In addition to his daughter, survivors include his third wife, Sharon, whom he married in January 2000; his sons, Matthias Clark (a musician), Jason Clark (a producer on the Peacock series Ted) and Seth Clark (a film editor); grandchildren Sequoia, Dylan, Elizabeth, Miles, Emily, Izzy, Dax, Emanuel and Lucas; great-grandson Claude; and stepchildren Michelle, Joyce and Ray. 

He was preceded in death by another daughter, Alexandria.

‘He built his own house with his own hands,’ his family noted in a statement. ‘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.’