Ernest Clark


Ernest Clark MC was a British actor of stage, television and film.

Early life

Clark was the son of a master builder in Maida Vale, and was educated nearby at St Marylebone Grammar School. After leaving school he became a reporter on a local newspaper in Croydon. He had always wanted to be an actor and when offered a job with the local rep, he took it and apart from six years in the army during World War II, during which he won the Military Cross, he remained in the profession.

Career

His first stage appearance was at the Festival Theatre, Cambridge in 1937, and he went on to appear in plays at both the West End in London, and Broadway in New York.
In 1955 he appeared on stage in Witness for the Prosecution at Henry Miller's Theatre in New York City, and on film as Air Vice-Marshal The Honourable Ralph Cochrane AFC RAF, AOC, No. 5 Group RAF in The Dam Busters.
He is perhaps best remembered for his role as the irascible Professor Geoffrey Loftus in the television comedy series Doctor in the House and its sequels, apart from Doctor at Sea, in which he appeared as Captain Norman Loftus. He also played the stern and ascetic Dean in two series of the BBC sitcom All Gas and Gaiters, although John Barron was the original Dean and returned for later series.
Clark was president of the actors' trade union Equity from 1969 to 1973.

Personal life and death

He married three times: one of his wives was actress Avril Hillyer, the first two marriages were dissolved. His third marriage, from 1972 until his death, was to Julia Lockwood, the actress daughter of the British film star Margaret Lockwood, with whom he had four children, Timothy, Nicholas, Lucy and Katharine.
He died 11 November 1994 in Hinton St. George, Somerset, aged 82.

Filmography

Private Angelo – Obsession – Seven Days to Noon – Barber The Mudlark – Hammond The Long Memory – Prosecuting Counsel Doctor in the House – Dr. ParrishFather Brown – Bishop's SecretaryBeau Brummell – Dr. WarrenThe Dam Busters – Air Vice-Marshall Ralph Cochrane. AOC, No.5 Group RAF1984 – Outer Party AnnouncerReach for the Sky – Wing Commander BeiseigelThe Baby and the Battleship – Cmdr. Geoffrey DigbyStars in Your Eyes – RonnieThe Man in the Sky – MaineTime Without Pity – Under Secretary – Home OfficeThe Birthday Present – BarristerA Tale of Two Cities – StryverI Accuse! – Prosecutor – 1st Dreyfus trialThe Safecracker – Major AdburyA Woman of Mystery – HarveyBlind Spot – F. G. FieldingA Touch of Larceny – Cmdr. BatesSink the Bismarck! – Captain No Love for Johnnie – M.P. Three on a Spree – Col. DrewPartners in Crime – AshtonEdgar Wallace Mysteries '' episode – CracknellThe Wild and the Willing – Vice ChancellorTomorrow at Ten – Dr. TowersMaster Spy – Doctor PemburyBilly Liar – Prison GovernorLadies Who Do – StockbrokerA Stitch in Time – Prof. CrankshawNothing But the Best – RobertsThe Devil-Ship Pirates – Sir Basil Smeeton