Clive Clerk
Born
Clive Clerk

(1945-10-17)17 October 1945
Died22 June 2005(2005-06-22) (aged 59)
Other namesClive Wilson
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Dancer
  • Painter
  • Interior Designer
Years active1962–2005
PartnerTom Tryon (1970–1972)

Clive Clerk (October 17, 1945 – June 22, 2005) was a Trinidad-born actor and dancer, later known as Clive Wilson, who had a successful career as an abstract painter and interior designer.[1] He is best known for his role as David Martin on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives (1966–1967) and for originating the role of Larry in the original Broadway cast of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Chorus Line in 1975.[1]

Early life and education

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Clerk was born in Trinidad on October 17, 1945.[1] He moved to Canada as a young boy and later, at the age of 17, relocated to New York City to pursue an acting career.[1]

Career

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Acting and Dance

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Clive Clerk's career began with the role of Wang San in the road company of Flower Drum Song and a lead part in the 1963 film The Seven Day Idol.[1] He moved to Los Angeles, working in film and television throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.[1] Television appearances included Days of Our Lives (1966–1967), The Mod Squad (1968–1970), I Spy (1966), The Virginian (1966), Combat! (1965), and Happy Days (1970).[2] He also appeared in films such as Send Me No Flowers (1964), Dear Brigitte (1965), and Billie (1965).[3] In 1975, Clerk joined the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line as Larry, the assistant director/choreographer, and also understudied the role of Zach.[4] He received a special Theatre World award in 1976 for ensemble performance.[5]

Art and Design

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After his performing career, Clerk, as Clive Wilson, became an abstract painter and interior designer.[1] His art was exhibited in galleries, and his interior design work, including the apartment of Tom Tryon, was featured in Architectural Digest.[6]

Personal life

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Clerk was in a relationship with actor and writer Thomas Tryon during the 1970s. Tom was intensely private about his homosexuality and keeping it a secret from his fans and most of his family which became a major point of tension arose between them. In 1972, Clive and Tom broke up.[7]

Death

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Clive Clerk died in Los Angeles, California, on June 22, 2005, at the age of 59.[8]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1964 The Lieutenant Dick Episode: Between Music and Laughter
Profiles in Courage Johnson Episode: Richard T. Ely
Mr. Novak Monty / Eddie / India United States Assembly Episode: Sparrow on the Wire[9]
1965 Karen Tony Episode: Karen Robs the Cradle
Many Happy Returns Philip Episode: Three on Honeymoon
CBC Show of the Week Himself Episode: Another Side of Young
Combat! Pierre Episode: The Convict
Convoy Morgan Episode: No More Souvenirs
1966 The Virginian Tonka Episode: One Spring Like a Long Ago
Days of Our Lives David Martin / Man 141 episodes[10]
I Spy Bashik Episode: Sparrowhawk
1968 The Rat Patrol Jean-Claude Episode: The Double Jeopardy Raid
The Mod Squad Gandy Schaffler / Allan Episode: Bad Man On Campus
The High Chaparral Chatto Episode: The Stallion
The Name of the Game Tino Torres Episode: The Revolutionary
1969 Judd, for the Defense Ray Deur Episode: Between the Dark and the Daylight
The New People Jack Episode: Panic in the Sand
1970 Happy Days Handsome Boy Episode: 9[11]
The Young Rebels Jonno Devery Episode: Suicide Squad
1990 The Phil Donahue Show Himself 1 episode

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1964 Send Me No Flowers Vito [1]
1965 Dear Brigitte Student [1][12]
Billie Ted Chekas [13]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Result Title Ref.
1976 Special Theatre World Awards Ensemble Performance Won A Chorus Line [14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Days of Our Lives Memorial Tributes". Memorial Tributes. May 23, 2025.
  2. ^ I Spy: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Television Series. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 165.
  3. ^ Time Out Film Guide. University of Michigan. p. XXXII.
  4. ^ A Chorus Line FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Broadway's Singular Sensation. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 278.
  5. ^ Theatre World - Volume 33. Crown Publishers. p. 80.
  6. ^ On the Line: The Creation of a Chorus Line. Limelight Editions. p. 364.
  7. ^ "Remembering Thomas Tryon, the hunky gay writer of chilling queer horror". INTO Magazine. September 19, 2023.
  8. ^ "Original A Chorus Line Cast Member Clive Clerk Dead at 59". Broadway. June 24, 2005.
  9. ^ The Hollywood Reporter - Volume 180. Wilkerson Daily Corporation. p. 4.
  10. ^ Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present. University of Michigan. p. 204.
  11. ^ Television, 1970-1980. University of Michigan. p. 84.
  12. ^ The Motion Picture Guide - Volumes 1-10. Cinebooks. p. 600.
  13. ^ Feature Films, 1960–1969: A Filmography of English-Language United States Releases. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 37.
  14. ^ Theatre World - Volume 32. Crown Publishing Company. p. 14.
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