Jack Clark (television personality)
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| Jack Clark | |
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| Born | Jack Clark November 25, 1925 Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Died | July 21, 1988 (aged 62) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Game Show Host, announcer |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara (?-1988), 4 children |
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.
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[edit] 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, an attempt at reviving the primetime, big-money quiz show to TV, on ABC in 1963, and was the original announcer on Tattletales.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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. [1]
