.gif)
Jack Clark (television)
Encyclopedia
Jack Clark was an American
television game show host and announcer
. He is best known for hosting The Cross-Wits
, and as an offstage announcer for Wheel of Fortune
. On the latter, he succeeded original announcer Charlie O'Donnell
and held the role from 1980 until his death in 1988.
(UC Berkeley), he began his career as a substitute radio announcer for radio station KROW-AM in Oakland, California. After graduating from UC Berkeley, he moved to New York City, and first worked as a game show announcer for Password (where he also occasionally substituted for host Allen Ludden
). From there, he went on to host 100 Grand
(1963) and Dealer's Choice
from 1974 to 1975 (replacing Bob Hastings
). Later, Clark hosted The Cross-Wits from 1975 until 1980, where he was noted for his rapport with the celebrities and contestants. Clark later went on to announce for several other game shows, including Split Second (1972–1975), Tattletales
(1974), Three for the Money
(1975) and some Hollywood-originated episodes of The $10,000 Pyramid
.
Clark also hosted a number of pilot
episodes that never passed that stage. Among these were Second Guessers, The $10,000 Sweep, and a 1985 proposed revival of Now You See It
(later sold in 1989). He was also the announcer on another pilot, Monday Night Quarterback. Clark did many of these pilots "on spec" as favors to their producers.
During his tenure with The Cross-Wits, Clark also hosted Say Powwww (1979). This was a live, interactive game series on Metromedia
stations in California
, directed by Sidney M. Cohen
.
's departure from the show in 1980, Clark was chosen to become the show's regular announcer. During that time, Clark announced the daytime version and the primetime syndicated version, when the show's ratings peaked. Clark also announced for other television programs in the 1980s, including The $25,000 Pyramid
(1982–1985), as well as being a spokesman for National Geographic magazine, appearing on-camera in their commercials.
and Vanna White
announced the fee plugs on the syndicated version. When he was away, Charlie O'Donnell
and Johnny Gilbert
began filling in as substitute announcers.
Clark died on July 21, 1988 at the age of 62, just before production of the 1988–1989 season was to begin, and is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park
in Glendale, California. He had requested that O'Donnell return to take his place, but since O'Donnell was not available due to his prior obligations with Chuck Barris Productions
, Los Angeles-area disc jockey M.G. Kelly
took over on a temporary basis until O'Donnell was free.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television game show host and announcer
Announcer
An announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
. He is best known for hosting The Cross-Wits
The Cross-Wits
The Cross-Wits is an American syndicated game show which premiered on December 15, 1975 and lasted for five seasons until its cancellation on September 12, 1980. The show was hosted by Jack Clark, with Jerri Fiala as hostess. Announcing duties were handled by John Harlan, Jay Stewart, and Jerry...
, and as an offstage announcer for Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
. On the latter, he succeeded original announcer Charlie O'Donnell
Charlie O'Donnell
Charles John "Charlie" O'Donnell was an American radio and television announcer, primarily known for his work on game shows...
and held the role from 1980 until his death in 1988.
Early career
When Clark was a student at University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
(UC Berkeley), he began his career as a substitute radio announcer for radio station KROW-AM in Oakland, California. After graduating from UC Berkeley, he moved to New York City, and first worked as a game show announcer for Password (where he also occasionally substituted for host Allen Ludden
Allen Ludden
Allen Ludden was an American television personality, emcee and game show host, perhaps most well known for hosting various incarnations of the game show Password between 1961 and 1980.-Early years:...
). From there, he went on to host 100 Grand
100 Grand (game show)
100 Grand was an American game show hosted by Jack Clark, with Bill Wendell announcing. The series ran for three episodes, weekly on Sunday nights from September 15 to 29, 1963 on the highly-touted "New ABC" as the network's attempt to bring back high-stakes game shows after the quiz show scandals...
(1963) and Dealer's Choice
Dealer's Choice (game show)
Dealer' s Choice was an American game show that aired from January 21, 1974 to December 12, 1975 in syndication for a total of 210 episodes. Bob Hastings was the host for only the first few weeks and was later replaced by Jack Clark. They were assisted by hostess Jane Nelson and by announcer Jim...
from 1974 to 1975 (replacing Bob Hastings
Bob Hastings
Robert "Bob" Hastings is an American film, radio, and television character actor. He has also provided voices for animated cartoons....
). Later, Clark hosted The Cross-Wits from 1975 until 1980, where he was noted for his rapport with the celebrities and contestants. Clark later went on to announce for several other game shows, including Split Second (1972–1975), Tattletales
Tattletales
Tattletales is a game show which first aired on the CBS daytime schedule on February 18, 1974. It was hosted by Bert Convy, with several announcers, including Jack Clark, Gene Wood, Johnny Olson and John Harlan, providing the voiceover at various times...
(1974), Three for the Money
Three for the Money
Three for the Money was a short-lived American game show produced by Stefan Hatos-Monty Hall Productions that aired on NBC for nine weeks from September 29 to November 28, 1975...
(1975) and some Hollywood-originated episodes of The $10,000 Pyramid
Pyramid (game show)
Pyramid is an American television game show which has aired several versions. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted March 26, 1973 and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series...
.
Clark also hosted a number of pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
episodes that never passed that stage. Among these were Second Guessers, The $10,000 Sweep, and a 1985 proposed revival of Now You See It
Now You See It
Now You See It is an American television game show created by Frank Wayne for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions. Two Now You See It series were produced, and both aired on CBS. The first series ran from April 1, 1974 until June 13, 1975, and was hosted by Jack Narz...
(later sold in 1989). He was also the announcer on another pilot, Monday Night Quarterback. Clark did many of these pilots "on spec" as favors to their producers.
During his tenure with The Cross-Wits, Clark also hosted Say Powwww (1979). This was a live, interactive game series on Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
stations in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, directed by Sidney M. Cohen
Sidney M. Cohen
Sidney M. Cohen is a Canadian television director specializing in live multi-camera productions requiring minimal editing and is also a TV program creator.He was born in Montreal, Quebec and began his career with CFCF-TV and later CBC Television...
.
Wheel of Fortune and later career
After Wheel of Fortune announcer Charlie O'DonnellCharlie O'Donnell
Charles John "Charlie" O'Donnell was an American radio and television announcer, primarily known for his work on game shows...
's departure from the show in 1980, Clark was chosen to become the show's regular announcer. During that time, Clark announced the daytime version and the primetime syndicated version, when the show's ratings peaked. Clark also announced for other television programs in the 1980s, including The $25,000 Pyramid
Pyramid (game show)
Pyramid is an American television game show which has aired several versions. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted March 26, 1973 and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series...
(1982–1985), as well as being a spokesman for National Geographic magazine, appearing on-camera in their commercials.
Illness and death
In 1988, Clark was diagnosed with bone cancer. He continued announcing for Wheel of Fortune for as long as he was able to up until the end of the 1987–1988 season. During that time, hosts Pat SajakPat Sajak
Pat Sajak is a television personality, former weatherman, actor and talk show host, best known as the host of the American television game show Wheel of Fortune.-Early life:...
and Vanna White
Vanna White
Vanna White is an American television personality and film actress best known as the hostess of Wheel of Fortune since 1982.-Early life:...
announced the fee plugs on the syndicated version. When he was away, Charlie O'Donnell
Charlie O'Donnell
Charles John "Charlie" O'Donnell was an American radio and television announcer, primarily known for his work on game shows...
and Johnny Gilbert
Johnny Gilbert
John L. "Johnny" Gilbert III is an American show business personality who has worked mainly on television game shows. Originally a nightclub singer and entertainer, he has hosted and announced a number of game shows from various eras, dating as far back as the 1950s...
began filling in as substitute announcers.
Clark died on July 21, 1988 at the age of 62, just before production of the 1988–1989 season was to begin, and is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
Forest Lawn Memorial Park is a privately owned cemetery in Glendale, California. It is the original location of Forest Lawn, a chain of cemeteries in Southern California. The land was formerly part of Providencia Ranch.-History:...
in Glendale, California. He had requested that O'Donnell return to take his place, but since O'Donnell was not available due to his prior obligations with Chuck Barris Productions
Chuck Barris Productions
Barris Industries, Inc. was an American television production company that was started in 1965 by Chuck Barris as Chuck Barris Productions...
, Los Angeles-area disc jockey M.G. Kelly
M.G. Kelly
Michael Gary Kelly , known professionally as M. G. Kelly and Machine Gun Kelly, is an actor, disc jockey and radio personality...
took over on a temporary basis until O'Donnell was free.